More and more people are waking up to the environmental benefits of microgeneration and starting to take it into account when redesigning their homes.Involving the production of zero or low-carbon power by individuals and communities to meet their own energy needs, microgeneration is making ground in terms of awareness, according to the Micropower Council.A spokesperson for the Micropower Council said There is increasing awareness of microgeneration, but microgeneration is still not considered to be a mainstream energy option.Far more needs to be done to raise awareness and increase understanding that microgeneration is a real alternative to conventional forms of heat and power for vast numbers of businesses and homes.Devices like small scale wind turbines, water turbines and solar panels are ways in which home design can incorporate aspects of microgeneration.Investing in these and other ways of reducing home energy demand could cut the National Grid production level necessitated by current demand levels, a prospect which pleases groups like the Micropower Council.While measures like recycling and sink waste disposal are starting to gain popularity and lower environmental footprints, the Micropower Council hoped for further take-up of microgeneration.Highlighting the growing dangers of climate change, the group said that microgeneration in the home and elsewhere is not just an optional extra for the environmentally aware.