Descriptions of initiatives that save energy as used in the quantitative adult survey.

Smart meters          
A smart meter is a handheld device that shows how much electricity your house is using at the moment and how much it is costing you. It also communicates directly with your energy company to ensure accurate billing without needing to read the meter.  

Community power stations
A community power station is a small-scale power station that is situated within a community, for example a village or block of flats. A community power station reduces the distance electricity needs to be transmitted.

Personal carbon allowances  
Each person would have a carbon limit they could be responsible for releasing into the atmosphere as a result of their energy use. If they exceed this they have to buy extra allowances from others and if they keep under it they could sell their excess.

Biomass/ alternative fuels  
Instead of using oil, gas or coal in power stations to produce electricity we could use alternatives derived from renewable sources such as plants.

Micro generation  
Micro generation is where individual households produce some of their own energy via mini-wind turbines, solar panels or mini generators. These devices produce little or no harmful emissions.

Wave power        
This technology uses the sea to provide electrical power from waves, tides and currents. This energy is renewable.