Until some of the new technology becomes commercially available, off-the-grid heating and power needs may be met by manufacturing energy from several sources—geo-thermal, wind, water and passive solar or any combination of these in co-generation. The two least invasive to the earth systems for geo-thermal power are a drilled pipe system straight down into the earth a few hundred feet and back in a u-shaped loop, or pipe coiled at the bottom of a large water body such as a lake or seabed. Wind power depends on the lay of the land and season of the year. Water power generation depends on the lay of the land the the season of the year, too, but also on the availability of running water such as a creek or river. Passive solar depends on the availability of sun on the southern exposure. Being off-the-grid, within the grid, becomes the optimum when a zero or net take balance saves the rest of the world from further destructive dam building or draining our gas and oil reserves down to the last drop.

In British Columbia it is legislated that we are required to connect to BC Hydro & Power Authority for electrical needs, however, it is possible to obtain permission to "sell" electricity back to the grid system.

Several kinds of generators may need to be employed. The most important is for the water flow and septic treatment. If there is sufficient drop in the land and a year-round water source, then a generator will be required to convert water into energy. Within the living area, plant generators will be required to move the energy through the envelopes. A turbine will be required if the wind blows over 8 mph fairly consistently. The waterwheel can be a generator of energy and water flow, in and of itself. Choices depend on many, many variables.

Energy storage will involve a long list of energy keepers from batteries, to fuel cells, to water, to cisterns, to compost, to fibre-clay and straw walls, to rocks, to earth, to enclosed and/or insulated spaces.

Energy flow will happen in various spaces, too. Pipes, wires, water, plants, air, and other ingenious devices will be employed depending on the source of energy, and the means of energy storage.