Reviews the development of small-scale, decentralized electricity generating systems. Outlines the technologies used in these micropower systems, identifies the benefits for industrialized and developing countries and discusses the obstacles to be overcome in competing with centralized power generation.

Introduction -- Coming full circuit -- Hot little numbers -- Cool electrons -- Is smaller cleaner? -- Running the digital economy -- Electrifying the powerless -- Rewiring the market rules -- Finding financing -- Developing micropower "software" -- Appendices -- Notes.