John Farrell of Renewable Energy World explains how a shift to local, renewable energy sources and away from the current system of long-distance, coal-burning utilities will
As the Obama administration moves to fasttrack long-distance power lines in Minnesota, Farrell argues that we should instead be focusing on developing infrastructure for local, clean energy sources:
"Fossil fuel power lends itself to centralized power systems, requiring long supply lines (rail or pipeline) to provide a constant supply of fuel and significant economies of scale in thermal energy production."
Renewable energy, Farrell explains, is better positioned for a decentralized system of small power systems that would be great on the local level but wouldn't make sense hooked up to an international pipeline.
"Simply put, a clean energy grid is technically incompatible with a grid management strategy that prioritizes always-on, baseload power from fossil fuel and nuclear plants. It's like mixing typewriters and iPads."
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A New Texas Neighborhood is Powered by Geothermal Energy
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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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Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
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Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?
TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.
Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”
Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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