Chicago challenges businesses to power buildings with renewable energy

Participants in the Chicago Renewable Energy Challenge pledge to keep their buildings powered with renewable sources for at least 10 years, and to track and share their progress.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 19, 2018

UCLA, Los Angeles water utility partner for $5M conservation research effort

The move is part of the UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge, which has a goal of powering Los Angeles County with 100% renewable energy and making it water self-sufficient by 2050.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 15, 2018

Tiny but mighty: How 3 small cities are using their Mayors Challenge winnings

Georgetown, TX; Huntington, WV and New Rochelle, NY had two main things in common: they're big on ideas and short on resources.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 2018

216 mayors signal support for more solar power in updated letter

The Mayors for Solar Energy effort, organized by Environment America, also includes training and resources for local governments to encourage more solar power.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 13, 2018

The impact of San Francisco’s homeless tax, and other important ballot results

Voters in Denver approved a mental health initiative, while voters in the state of Washington rejected a carbon emissions fee.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 7, 2018

Blockchain tech company pitches futuristic ‘Innovation Park’ in Nevada

Blockchains LLC announced plans to develop the "smart city" near Reno, which would be anchored by a 1,000-acre innovation campus.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 5, 2018

4 energy leaders make a run for the House on Dem ballot

As the midterms approach, the energy industry has candidates running in some tight congressional races. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 2, 2018

7 more winners named in Bloomberg’s American Cities Climate Challenge

Chicago; Cincinnati; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis; Minneapolis; Saint Paul, MN; and St. Louis were the next to be honored, with just three spots now remaining.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2018

San Diego chooses community aggregation path to 100% renewables

Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced the start of a process to form a community choice aggregation model as the city moves toward its goal of 100% renewables by 2035.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2018

LA led way to leveraging EV RFPs, more cities follow with renewables

"We want to make solar real for our residents," said Cincinnati's energy manager in a discussion on U.S. city renewable energy procurement.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2018

Utilities worry FCC plan to open wireless spectrum could compromise communications

Making 6 GHz bandwidth available to unlicensed users could interfere with communications between utilities and their customers during emergencies, sector leaders fear. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 25, 2018

1 year smarter: A look back at our favorite stories

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of our daily launch, Smart Cities Dive has rounded up our most popular posts on everything from drug-sniffing robots to blockchain tech.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 23, 2018

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston and DC join Bloomberg climate challenge winners

The four cities are the latest to win the American Cities Climate Challenge and will receive up to $2.5 million each to support climate mitigation efforts.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 22, 2018

Electric vehicles: The Swiss army knife of the grid

Experts see a future where electric vehicles provide an array of grid services, from demand response to soaking up excess renewable generation.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2018

Portland General Electric plans smart grid test project

If successful, the smart grid test would become a national leader for the nascent technology and show the future of utilities where users are more connected with the grid.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 16, 2018

Spotlight: 6 key issues driving the utility sector today

The industry is undergoing a fundamental transition as it moves away from a centralized, baseload-focused past to a more distributed, renewable future.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 16, 2018

The invisible power of cities

The electric grid is increasingly part of our national security, and cities are on the front lines. But a revolution in technology and practice can make us all safer.

By Ken Boyce and Karen Weigert • Oct. 15, 2018

DC’s aggressive clean energy bill gets initial hearing

The bill would require the District to use 100% renewable energy by 2032. Currently, the city is on track to get 50% of its energy from renewable sources in that time.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 11, 2018

Are regulators hindering EV acceleration?

Utilities and regulators are starting to scale up charging infrastructure but are finding it takes private vendor and utility "coopetition" to build the interoperable EV charging networks needed to satisfy drivers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 10, 2018

As companies like Lyft and UPS electrify fleets, local incentives can play a key role

Chicago’s Drive Clean Truck Program is a great example of an innovative incentive for alternative fuel and electric vehicles, Illinois Commerce Commission Commissioner Anastasia Palivos writes.

By Anastasia Palivos, Ritta Merza and Emily Brumit • Oct. 10, 2018

Mass timber: A solution to the affordable housing crisis

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.No human s...

By Steve Conboy • Oct. 10, 2018

Duke to install 530 EV chargers in Florida, study grid integration

Duke will focus EV charging infrastructure efforts on public spaces, making 10% of the installations in lower-income communities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2018

88% of voters say utilities shouldn’t block residential solar: SEIA

The result of the solar trade group's poll highlighted a growing consumer appeal for policies that advance the resource, including net metering and renewable energy mandates.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 28, 2018

Engineering microgrids for municipalities

How cities can build on the benefits of an electrified fleet of vehicles

Sept. 26, 2018

EVgo’s new modular design could speed charging station deployment

The sites could be installed in a matter of days or weeks, even on a short-term basis, according to the company.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2018