Renewable Energy
As Auto Industry Stumbles, Renewables Boom in the Midwest
The ailing auto industry has many manufacturers in the Midwest transitioning to the renewable energy market, opening factories to build wind turbine parts and solar panels.
California's Debate Over What Constitutes Renewable Energy
The goal is to increase California's use of clean, renewable sources of electricity so as to meet the state's climate protection goal. Two bills are being debated that will require that 33% of electricity sources be composed of renewables by 2020.
Finding a Home for California's Renewable Energy Transmission Lines
A new report from an interdisciplinary group of officials and advocates outlines where new energy transmission lines are needed in California, where they should be sited, and how best the state can transition to a renewable energy future.
Becoming an Energy-Independent City
The City of San Jose, California is on its way to becoming the nation's first energy-independent city, deriving all of its energy from renewable sources.
A Bus-Powering, Rider-Paying Bike Share System
A new city bike sharing design concept not only gives people access to bikes, but also provides power for the local bus system and even pays riders to do it.
The Battle Over the Microgrid
The "smart" grid powered by renewable energy sources is likely to be fundamentally different from the current electricity system in more ways than one. Some say it won't be as large-scale as it is now. That's not what utility companies want to hear.
Renewable Energy System is on the Way
President Obama plans to spend billions on building an interstate highway-style system for energy.
Turning Homes Into Self-Sustaining Energy Producers
Emilio Ramirez proposed a single family power plant in Metropolis’s 2009 Next Generation competition.
Smart Grid for a Smart City
Amsterdam has taken its smart grid live, installing solar panels and 300 electric car recharging stations throughout the city.
Potential Energy & Renewable Resource Mapping - PERRM™
One important planning approach for sustainable living is how to locate and integrate the natural and man-made attributes of the land to configure a low-carbon site for large scale development.
Farming Wind in Oregon
This segment form Oregon Public Broadcasting looks at the rise of wind farms in rural Oregon.
California Desert A Hotbed for Alternative Energy
On the state's path towards drawing 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by the end of 2010, California is focusing on its southern desert as the site of this alternative energy generation.
A Carbon-Neutral City?
A region known more for carbon emissions strives to create a carbon-neutral city powered by renewable energy and designed to reduce overall energy demand.
Green Economy Coming Despite Downturn
Good green jobs are on the way - just not right away due to recession. Stimulus funds - not just from U.S. but many nations are investing in their economies by targeting renewable energy, smart electricity grids, energy efficiency, and more.
Renewable Industry Sags Due To Credit Crisis
The New York Times reports that the renewable energy industry is hurting badly in this recession. Lack of available credit is the main reason, and while the stimulus bill may help, it will not be the solution.
A Major Step Toward An Ambitious Energy Goal
The City of Austin is set to take in a record amount of solar power to advance towards a goal of deriving 30% of local energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Inside the Mind of the Green Market
The green marketplace is the marketplace of the future. From Wal-Mart to Toyota to the neighborhood dry cleaner, it seems like every business is going out of its way to tell us how green they are. That could either be a great thing because these businesses are actually using environmentally-friendly practices, or it could be a bad thing because they're just claiming to be green. Regardless of whether it's one or the other, what's certain is that they say they're green because that's what we want to hear.
Alternative Energy Grid Vs. Locals and Enviros
PBS' NOW goes to California to look at new state requirements for renewable energy, and the battle over where the new infrastructure will go.
Exploring Geothermal Energy in Iceland
Stephen Lacey, host of the Inside Renewable Energy podcast, went to Iceland to see firsthand the country's geothermal infrastructure. The podcast is definitely worth a listen, and can be streamed directly off of the web page.
Windmills Planned for New York Skyscrapers and Bridges
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to install windmills on some of the city's skyscrapers and bridges.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
