Want to live on a green-powered island? The island of Eigg -- located off the coast of Scotland -- recently achieved its energy independence goals by constructing a completely renewable and self-sufficient power system through a mix of wind, hydro, and solar sources. The islands 45 households and 20 businesses will now all be powered by a community-owned £1.6 million renewable facility -- with diesel backups just in case. Think it's easy to provide power for a community of 87 people? It took Eigg 10 years to realize the dream.In 1997, the residents of the island formed the Eigg Heritage Trust and bought out the island from their absentee landlords. One of the goals was to build a island-wide sustainable power grid -- before, each house had produced its own electricity with noisy generators. After raising money from various Energy companies and even The Big Lottery Fund, the islanders were able to partner with Synergie Scotland to install the island's ambitious power network. Six miles of cable now connect the residents with solar panels, wind turbines and hydro-electric generators that produce 95% of the island's power.
[via Treehugger]
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