New Energy Hubs is a proposal to focus alternative energy production around transit-oriented developments to create synergistic benefits.
The concept comes from Patrick Mazza, research director for Climate Solutions. He writes,
"Installing advanced new energy technologies while building transit-oriented developments will yield multiple efficiencies. TODs entail construction of dense neighborhoods. Compact communities are ideally served by district plant and piping systems supplying hot water and building heat. Economies of scale make district systems significantly more energy efficient that single building systems. District energy plants can also cogenerate electricity, and be powered with renewable fuels such as biomass or ground heat.
Other renewable electrical generators are also more economically installed at a district scale – It costs less to install one large solar array to serve a neighborhood than solar panels on individual buildings. District-scale cogeneration and solar arrays might serve electric vehicle charging stations as well.
When new construction is underway is the economically optimal time to install new energy networks including district energy, smart grid and vehicle charging. Infrastructure costs less when it is built in a coordinated way, doing as much as possible at once."
Read the full story: New Energy Hubs: Transit-Oriented Development Meets District Energy
San Diego wants to limit upzoning law to just 16% of transit-adjacent parcels
The city's planning director says some areas are unfit for immediate upzoning due to a lack of resources or hazards such as wildfire risk.
Maryland unveils plan for 5,000 homes near transit
Gov. Moore announced a plan to activate housing construction on 134 acres of state-owned land near transit stations.
LA Delays State TOD Law to 2030 With its Own, Lower-density Plan
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Exemption applications for NYC’s pied-à-terre tax see 55% success rate
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One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority