Distributed energy will become 'more important'

Distributed energy will become more significant for Britons, one expert has predicted.

It will help homeowners gain better control of their energy costs, while lowering emissions from properties such as stores and factories, according to Tony Cocker, chief executive of E.ON.

Speaking at the Sustainabilitylive event in Birmingham, Mr Cocker added that E.ON has been working alongside Barratt Homes to build a new community energy centre, enabling houses to be heated and provided with electricity.

"Rather than each individual house having a boiler, each house brings in the warm water from the network and we have a much more efficient system," he stated.

Mr Cocker noted that its latest work is merely "a start" for the technology.

His remarks come after Andrew Leech from the National Home Improvement Council noted that more incentive is required in order for homes to boost their energy efficiency.

Mr Leech explained that the government can only be successful in encouraging homes to be more sustainable if the necessary money is at hand.