Al Gore did in fact invent the 'electranet', or at least he coined the term to explain the necessity of a new smart grid to transmit electricity from new, green sources like wind and solar. GOOD Magazine reports on the state of the electranet.
"The smart grid won't only be able to handle plug-in hybrids (the most realistic "car of the future" candidate), it'll benefit from them. A national fleet of hybrid batteries will help provide storage capacity that our current distribution system sorely lacks. This is a key point: Solar and wind sources produce electricity in spurts-when the sun is highest, when the wind blows hardest. When you plug in your 2012 Volkswagen Golf Hybrid, its battery-along with all the others plugged-in around your neighborhood-will draw power when there's plenty, and pump it out when the grid is lacking. (And don't worry about your neighbor's gaudy Christmas light display sucking your car dry-that's why we'll have smart computers.)
Can such an integrated, comprehensive system ever actually get built? Ask the people of Boulder, Col., which Xcel Energy announced earlier this year–through this campy video-would be the nation's first "Smart Grid City." There's also heavy speculation floating of late that Google is going to train its brains on the grid. Last year the Internet giant announced an ambitious initiative to make "renewable energy cheaper than coal" (RE
FULL STORY: Intelligent Transmission
Zoning Stands in the Way of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is cheap as ever, but zoning isn’t keeping up with the market.
Renewable Energy Powers Entire State of California—for a Few Minutes
Last Saturday afternoon, thanks to a combination of high production and reduced consumption, California’s power needs were met almost entirely by renewable energy sources.
Outdated Electric Grid Could Hamper Texas Transition to Renewables
Although Texas easily has the potential to phase out coal with the renewable energy projects in the works around the state, its aging transmission lines and outdated infrastructure could delay the transition.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
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Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
