Digital Energy Net

Green buildings are defined by environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation practices that help future-proof communities from climate change and resource scarcity. Green buildings utilize natural elements like wind and sunlight to reduce energy use, leading to lower utility bills for their occupants, who often report improved health and productivity as a result. Environmentally friendly…

Mixed-use development refers to real estate that integrates housing, retail shops, restaurants, offices, and public spaces into a single neighborhood. Such mixed use developments provide diversity and convenience by placing amenities near one another and decreasing car travel. Implementation can also contribute to environmental sustainability by increasing density and encouraging walkability and connectivity, but is…

Sustainable urban infrastructure involves eco-friendly construction solutions using green technologies and energy saving systems, while designs must meet sustainability standards regarding resource management, environmental impacts and infrastructure resilience. Cities can work toward sustainability by investing in renewable energy sources that rely less on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change, and by creating and implementing transportation…

TOD refers to the practice of clustering housing, offices and shops within walking distance of a transit station for enhanced livability, reduced pollution and traffic congestion and higher property values. Edmonton boasts various examples of TOD communities, such as Century Park in the south near an LRT route and Strathearn in the northeast around an…

Sustainability development is an approach centered on people. It offers guidelines and strategies designed to maximize human well-being while respecting earth resources. In 2015, UN member states adopted 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the intention of ending poverty, decreasing inequality and protecting our environment against climate change by 2030. Human Rights Human rights…

Reaching zero emissions goals can be complex, yet energy efficiency remains an invaluable tool in that quest. NRDC is committed to helping consumers make the most of their energy efficiency by advocating for more energy-efficient appliances and buildings, and mandating efficiency standards and policies. It Saves Money Energy efficiency can be used as an effective…

Smart cities use technology to monitor environmental, social and financial aspects of urban life. Sensors track everything from water usage to traffic congestion. These sensors allow cities to provide better services to their residents, from smart parking systems and predictive analytics for providing shelter for homeless individuals to use predictive models to prioritize services for…

Building, operating, and regulating electricity networks can be complex and time consuming; especially high voltage interconnections. Smart grids can help mitigate these costs by providing real-time data about system health. Smart grids provide a holistic view of operations, networked data transmission, dynamic security assessment, refined dispatching decision-making processes and automated operation control – as well…

Urban mobility refers to the transport of people within cities. It plays a crucial role in shaping cities, providing equitable access to services and jobs, and having significant environmental impacts. Effective urban mobility planning can alleviate congestion and lower noise and air pollution that poses risks to public health and safety. Furthermore, it can increase…

Energy storage uncouples electricity production from consumption, improving grid stability and helping to lower power prices while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and opening new opportunities for renewable energy deployment. Energy storage comes in various forms. Pumped hydro storage (lifting water), batteries (chemical reactions), thermal (heat storage) and flywheel mass storage (spinning a wheel) are the…