Renewable energy really comes into its own when it's applied at village level in developing countries. While in the UK we argue about whether or microgeneration is eco-bling, there are 1.6 billion people in the world for whom it is the difference between light or dark in the evenings.

So it's great to see low cost solutions which will help bring light, charge phones, pump water or thresh grains. One I came across recently is the Genny. Described by its inventor as "an almost-free, here-and-now solution to rural village lighting and phone charging, it is made out of scrap material.

Pat Delany, the 74 year old man who has developed, built and tested this multi-person treadle powered alternator / generator, is keen to meet people who might be interested in taking it forward. Get in touch at his Africa Power and Light page if you have any relevant contacts.

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