Energy independence has been a goal for island owners for decades, now with the world catching on to this trend, islands have become a model for the world. One island owner in particular is trying to turn his island into a model for the world.

Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway and numerous medical devices, jokingly refers to his North Dumpling Island as an independent nation. All joking aside, Kamen, who bought the 3-acre island in the 1980s, is serious about energy independence and the lessons it offers at a time of volatile gas prices and global warming.

“The rest of the world will eventually catch up if the Dumplonians can get their message out,” Kamen said.

Kamen’s energy plan began when the Coast Guard recently notified him that it was cutting off electrical service to the  island,  because it was switching to solar energy to power a lighthouse. As a result Kamen made the decision that if he was going to have to power his island he should do it in an environmentally friendly way.

To read more about Kamen’s quest for energy independence visit Freep.com