One source of renewable energy isn't going to cut it; the future is in using multiple sources, and even combining them in a single power plant, says blogger jnshere.
Shere reports on one company that is combining biomass gassification and solar power:
"Hundreds of mirrors reflect sunlight onto a large, heat-absorbing metal sheet mounted on a tower. The heat--topping out around 1200 degrees C--is used to initiate a chemical reaction that turns woodchips and other biomass into a gas that can then be refined into gasoline or diesel."
Read the full story: Wind + Sun + Biomass + Hydrogen = The Future
Local Opposition Threatens to Cripple Solar Expansion
A bevy of real and unfounded claims against solar farms is feeding a growing opposition movement in rural areas.
Solar Farm Moratorium to End, Despite Local Concerns
Delaware County plans to amend its solar zoning ordinance and lift a moratorium on the construction of new solar farms that was implemented after local opposition stalled the project.
New Renewable Energy Has Yet to Displace Dirty Energy
Falling costs for renewable energy may lead some to believe that coal and other mainstays have been replaced, but they haven't. Adoption of renewables is not yet outpacing growth in demand for energy.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea
If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.
Sharp cuts to federal passenger rail, public transit funding arrive today
The American Public Transportation Associations estimates the stopgap bill will result in an over 80% cut to federal passenger rail investment and 20% cut to public transit investment.
Chicago to showcase country’s first battery-operated passenger train
Metra estimates the trains will be ready for passenger use around the start of 2028.
After decades of planning, Sacramento gains new light rail station
Trains will arrive every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello