Blessed with an abundance of sun, California is trying to figure out how to deal with a glut of solar energy.
In 2016, enough solar generated electricity to power 45,000 homes was lost in California because there wasn't concurrent demand for it. David Danelski reports in the Daily Breeze (via the Press-Enterprise) that solar power generated during the middle of the day often will go unused because the power demand from consumers doesn't pick up until the evening. The loss in 2016 was double what was lost the year previous, and the losses could be worse in the future as the use of solar panel systems continues to increase. State officials are looking at several solutions to reduce the waste, including the use of batteries to store the energy, trading power to abutting states, and incentivizing consumers to put timers on their dishwashers, pool pumps and other home systems, to run during the hours when power is at its cheapest.
FULL STORY: Here’s how California ended up with too much solar power
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
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
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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