Digital Energy Net

The blending of residential and commercial spaces creates self-sustaining economic ecosystems and fosters community-based prosperity. They also promote a sense of civic engagement and social resilience. Mixed-use development requires a complex network of regulations and guidelines to maintain functionality and harmony. It also needs effective management strategies to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders…

Green buildings are a way of building that is sustainable and works with nature rather than against it. They can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve increasingly stretched energy resources. They also improve occupant health and productivity. Studies show that workers in green buildings perform up to 8% better and are more productive. Energy…

Sustainable urban infrastructure promotes social, economic and environmental well-being. It integrates nature-based elements like green streets, parks, wetlands, swales, and bioretention areas to reduce flooding risk and provide water quality benefits. Global governance frameworks now prioritize strategies that align resilience and sustainability objectives. Moreover, resilient and sustainable infrastructure is critical for advancing global climate and…

Cities worldwide are rethinking their development strategies to build vibrant new urban communities that prioritize public transport and promote walkability. These are known as transit-oriented development (TOD). Successful TOD planning requires coordinated work across multiple planning departments. This includes ensuring that corridor and station area plans are aligned with land use planning, capital improvement, housing…

Sustainable development is defined by Gro Harlem Brundtland in her report Our Common Future as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs”. It incorporates three pillars that are interdependent and mutually reinforcing: environmental health, economic prosperity, and social wellbeing. Environmental Protection The environmental aspect…

Energy efficiency is a key economic lever for individuals, businesses, and local authorities. It reduces bills and improves investment profitability over time. From an environmental perspective, it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and conserves natural resources. It also makes buildings more resilient to rising energy prices and supply disruptions. It’s important to combine energy efficiency with…

City-wide smart-city technologies are improving lives and creating opportunities for residents. But the United States has fallen behind in developing and testing new technologies to improve city services and infrastructure. To become a Smart City, cities must carefully and sustainably pursue development with current population needs and projected growth in mind. This requires a cultural…

Smart grids use digital technology to enable monitoring and control of the power distribution network. They improve energy efficiency and reliability and can be used to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. They also allow consumers to monitor their energy usage and take action to reduce their consumption, as well as spot problems with…

Urban mobility is a multi-faceted issue that requires a strategic vision and policies that encourage efficiency. See how cities are addressing it with effective solutions that are based on best practices in this Good Practice thematic cluster. Sustainable urban mobility ensures all residents have access to affordable, accessible, and safe transportation options. Whether through public…

Energy storage helps make renewables like wind and solar more practical and reliable on the grid. It can smooth out the variable output of intermittent resources and help with services like static reserve and regulation of frequency and voltage. Battery systems are the most common form of energy storage, but there are other technologies in…