A European study measured ambient air and groundwater temperatures in underground parking garages and found that the heat generated by these structures could potentially power thousands of households.
A new study highlights the untapped resource that is emanating from underground parking garages, writes Prachi Patel in Anthropocene Magazine. “Cars parked in underground parking lots throw off so much heat that it warms up groundwater beneath them. This wasted energy could be enough to supply over 14,600 households with heat in Berlin alone, researchers report in the journal Science of the Total Environment.”
Using the heat for other purposes would also benefit biodiversity by protecting species sensitive to temperature rise and limiting bacterial growth caused by higher water temperatures.
The researchers used heat sensors in 31 underground garages in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to measure ambient air and groundwater temperature. The study also indicated that “Public underground car parks heat up the groundwater more than private facilities as they are often deeper and the cars park there for shorter periods of time.”
“Integrating heat pumps into existing ventilation systems might be a way to utilize this waste heat energy from underground parking lot air, the researchers say.”
FULL STORY: Parking garages are a huge wasted heat source
Report: U.S. Renewable Energy Production Rising Sharply
The proportion of energy produced by renewable sources in the United States has almost quadrupled in the last decade.
Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?
Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.
Former DC Army Garage Gets New Life
The fortress-like underground structure posed unique challenges to engineers redeveloping a former U.S. Army complex.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service