The whole subject is one I get all excited about since I live in an old 'disused' watermill, and I'm listening to the water thundering through the wheelpit as I write this. All that untapped energy.

There are two possibilities, generation from water, and a heat-pump.

There are several snags:

1/ To construct a resilient turbine that will withstand floods will cost around $68,000. It will generate more electricity than I need so I would sell it back to the electricity supplier. (batteries are a nightmare expense). In order to get any kind of grant I'd have to supply electricity to a nominated 'community', which would have to include a representitive cross-section of the country's population. Even if I achieve this, I have to find $30,000. At today's prices, this makes for expensive electricity, even assuming a life of 30 years without substantial maintenance.

2/ The local Environment Agency looks after the structures that maintain the headrace (high water level above the mill). If they see commercial use being made of this headrace, they may easily pass the buck back to me to maintain the dams, sluices etc.

3/ The mill dates back to god-knows-when. I almost have to get planning permission to lean against the front door. This year, we had to rebuild the sluice gates and we had planners swarming around like bees. If I want to put in a turbine, you can imagine the excitement.

4/ I'm told that health and safety measures for a turbine installation will be strict even though I'm on private property and the nearest house is a few hundred yards away. Guards, railings, hazard notices and all the other devices to protect intruders will be very costly.

Not much incentive to reduce my carbon footprint, Eh?