Suddenly the world had a new energy source just waiting to be harvested by those countries lucky enough to have shale gas and oil deposits.

This subsidises an expensive energy source which people then pay over the odds for.

The powerful energy source may revolutionise the design of prosthetic limbs, making the idea of bionic man a real possibility.

If we can save or conserve energy we can both make the energy source last longer and cut costs.

Although a green energy source, the location of electrical generating wind turbines may cause a disamenity effect (negative externality).