Digital Energy Net

Sustainable development (SD) refers to the practice of meeting people’s needs without harming the natural environment, in an effort to achieve balance among environmental, economic, and social considerations. Principal principles include eliminating poverty, hunger and poor health for all through quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation facilities, affordable and clean energy sources and…

Smart cities use technology to monitor and improve services for citizens, such as monitoring air quality, optimizing street lights, managing traffic flows to save on energy costs and monitoring air pollution levels. Smart city technologies are becoming more widely utilized; however, one key challenge lies in protecting the information produced by these devices. 1. Improved…

Smart grids upgrade decades-old equipment and infrastructure to facilitate two-way interaction within an entire system, providing multiple benefits both to power providers as well as consumers. Technology now collects an unprecedented amount of data, which enables much more realistic consumption forecasts and real time pricing signals. Improved Efficiency Smart grid technologies help utilities optimize transmission…

Urban mobility refers to city residents’ ability to move within an urban area efficiently, including their modal split, trips by purpose and destination and trip generation factors. Cars remain the predominant form of urban mobility, yet contribute significantly to traffic jams and air pollution. We must find other means of mobility which offer greater accessibility…

Energy storage is key to supporting community-level resiliency projects and lowering electricity costs by smoothing out high demand, as well as increasing renewable integration into the grid. Batteries store energy via electrochemical processes and then convert it back to electricity later. Lithium-ion batteries (like those found in your cell phone) have become one of the…

Land use planning is an integral component of any community, as without it industrial facilities would pollute the environment and disrupt resident lives. Many elected officials and their staff members offer opportunities for public involvement and input on land use plans, ordinances and related activities through advertised public meetings, surveys and educational sessions. 1. Malinvestment…

Zoning regulations govern what kinds of businesses and homes may be built where. Their purpose is to protect residents from potential hazards while upholding aesthetics and limiting conflicts. Some outdated zoning rules, like a 1961 regulation that restricted Woolworth’s or drugstores from opening in retail districts, no longer meet planning objectives. Others, like mandating parking…

Energy policy refers to decisions and structures that govern, direct, and regulate how a country meets its energy needs. Policies may be determined by various national priorities like decarbonization, system reliability, resource diversification, technology export potential, economic costs or electricity access. Many energy policies aim to change people’s behavior through financial incentives, including tax breaks,…

Green buildings are designed to be environmentally-responsible and resource-efficient throughout their life cycles, from their construction using sustainable materials and reduced energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, through to water conservation measures, waste minimization strategies, and increased indoor environmental quality. Termite mounds were the source of inspiration for this green building, which uses natural sunlight…

Mixed-use development (MDU) is an urban planning practice that integrates residential, retail, commercial, cultural and/or industrial uses into one space. Such developments can range from mom-and-pop storefronts with apartments above to huge downtown skyscrapers. Location-sensitive businesses and homes encourage walking, thereby decreasing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously increasing community involvement and…