Small and alternative energy is a threat to big?

This work is a summary of the current situation in the energy sector of the world and Russia as well as a brief discussion of the role and place of younger brothers of big energy - small and alternative. The authors have outlined the basic principles on which in their opinion the energy infrastructure of each region district city and small settlement should be built. The authors tried to convey two main messages: 1. Small alternative and large energy are not competitors at all but on the contrary complementary spheres. Each of them occupies its own niche; each has its own unique and unique advantages. 2. The country''s energy infrastructure should be created starting from small settlements districts and regions - taking into account the peculiarities and resources of each territory. Only in this case the efficiency of natural resources use will reach its maximum. The work summed up the bleak results of the prevalence of large energy sector in the XX century as well as an attempt to justify the fact that the complete rejection of large energy systems is not a promising way of development of any country. The monograph may be useful for all those who are interested in the issues of settlement energy supply.