Turn a new leaf

Britain's wind and sunlight are already powering us into anew era, so how can smart meters help us make the most of our home-grown energy?

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Think about how much the seasons and weather affect your garden. Right now, winter has left the trees devoid of leaves, and flower beds are bereft. It's still a good month or so before you can look forward to spring's restorative influence, as the temperature rises, and fresh new growth begins to sprout.

But that doesn't mean less desirable weather doesn't have its benefits. Autumn and winter allow you to prepare your garden for the next season and regenerate your lawn to its former green glory after the searing heat of summer.

And on a wider scale, when there's a howling gale outside that makes us all batten down the hatches, it could also be helping Britain generate more of its own renewable energy. The nation's landscapes and elements have so much potential to power us to a better future, and they're already contributing more than you might think - and when it comes to maximising that potential, smart meters have a crucial role to play.