Power to the People

At the Beddington Zero Energy Development in South London, they're shouting their environmental credentials from the rooftops. Tidy little lawns sprout on top of each house — helping to insulate the buildings — as pastel-colored cowls swivel in the breeze, gently ushering fresh air into homes and offices while funneling stale air out. Solar photovoltaic panels soak up the sun — even on cloudy days — contributing to the development's overall power mix. Most of the community's heat and electricity come from a 130-kW generator fueled by timber clippings and similar waste from landscaping work.

The Beddington...