Historical compressed air systems hold the key to the design of a low-tech, low-cost, robust, sustainable and relatively energy efficient energy storage medium.
Hydraulic power transmission is very efficient compared to electricity when it is used to operate powerful but infrequently used machines.
In the nineteenth century, miniature water turbines were connected to the tap and could power any machine that is now driven by electricity
The hydro power installations in use today are less energy efficient than those of earlier centuries.
The trend towards small-scale, decentralised power production means that rope transmission might have a place in our energy system again
Long-distance power transmission predates the invention of electricity by almost four centuries.
Boat mills, bridge mills and hanging mills were almost as widespread as windmills.
Increasing the share of renewable energy will not make us any less dependent on fossil fuels as long as total energy consumption keeps rising.
Cable trains (or funiculars) are one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport out there.