Two of Samso's turbines are owned by a co-operative of around 450 of the island's residents.

CNN: Striking a blow for wind power

But, the cold aside, snow-covered Samso was undeniably beautiful and its wind-reliant residents hospitable and, in their own way, just a little heroic.

CNN: In the field: Wind powers ahead in blustery Denmark

The easiest way, from the UK at least, to travel to Samso is to fly to Arhus, catch a couple of buses and then jump on a ferry.

CNN: In the field: Wind powers ahead in blustery Denmark

My destination: Samso -- a barely populated (4, 000 at the last count) Danish island which spends the majority of the year being lashed by ferocious gales that sweep in off the freezing sea.

CNN: In the field: Wind powers ahead in blustery Denmark

While the residents of Samso can take advantage of their island's blustery weather, open spaces and low-population density to be carbon neutral, the success of wind energy on a global scale may come down to simple economics.

CNN: Striking a blow for wind power

And within Denmark Samso stands out.

CNN: In the field: Wind powers ahead in blustery Denmark