Dispersed energy sources and a concomitant production of socially useful and durable goods offer the potential for, though not inevitability of, devolution of economic and political decision-making which must inevitably prevail in a nuclear society. The sun's radiant energy is the oldest energy source. It dries clothes, crops, heats heat and distils water and cooks food. Black plate collectors heat water. They could provide about three-quarters of Australia's domestic and industrial hot water.
Parabolic mirrors concentrate sunlight to turn water into steam for industrial heat and electricity.
Photovoltaics Silicon captures sunlight and converts it directly to electricity. Photovoltaics are used to power equipment in remote places. Roof photovoltaics power houses and feed daytime surplus electricity into the grid. Wind Windmills have pumped water and done other mechanical work for 2000 years. Today wind turbines on windfarms feed electricity into grids.