I just finished reading a damn good book entitled "How to live off-grid" by Nick Rosen.  The author also has a comprehensive website available here: http://www.off-grid.net/

While the first few chapters detail the nitty gritty of his off grid (and sometimes off road) exploits all across the UK, the latter bits delve into some very useful information on how to -- and more importantly now not to -- separate oneself from utilities, both in an urban and rural environment  From hippies in yurts to millionares in fuel-cell powered homes, case studies are diverse and worthwhile.   I'd highly recommend the book, as well as a frollic through the helpful website.  He provides an especially useful commentary on site selection considerations, as well as tips for interacting with councils, winning over neighbours, and an amazing case study of a social enterprise in the UK called Hill Holt Wood.

Some tech highlights from the book: fantastic online resources for calculating passive solar design for a house.  Passive solar design is important as it allows heating/cooling of a house using the position of the building on site, vs. using expensive HVAC systems that guzzle energy.   Start by finding true north (if you are in the southern hemisphere)  Go to www.astro.com/cgi-bin/atlw3/aq.cgi?lang=e, enter your country and town, and the calculator provides the latitude and longitude coordinates.  Then go to www.geocities.com/senol_gulgonul/sun/ and transcribe the coordinates.  The tool will give the solar noon time.  On your site, go outside and hold a stick at ninety degrees.  The shadow cast shows the direct line from true south to true north.  Align your building and any solar panels in the direction of true north.  This will ensure the benefit of passive solar heat gain and good solar orientation.  
 

In New Zealand, given the amount of seismic/volcanic activity we have, it would be highly advantageous even in an urban setting to have some kind of backup supply for power and water services in the event the grid is interrupted.  In a rural context, there's a plethora of lessons to be learned about living in the middle of nowhere without giving up your favourite creature comforts.  Best of all, no matter where you are, there are ways to be off the grid in a very environmentally friendly manner.   Check it out!