Building engagement

Multi-use city halls increase public amenity usage and connections with citizens.

By Jason Axelrod • Aug. 1, 2017

New database lets users look up their tap water contaminants

While most of the water has been marked safe by regulatory bodies, the Environmental Working Group points out that more than 250 legal contaminants might be above what scientific studies have found to be safe thresholds.

By Jackie Snow • Aug. 1, 2017

How Elon Musk could reshape city life

Musk's disruptive technology — from traffic-diverting tunnels to rooftop solar shingles — could completely revolutionize city infrastructure. 

By Jackie Snow , Cody Boteler • July 27, 2017

California Gov. Brown signs carbon trading extension to 2030

The program, a key part of California's climate efforts, has been under attack by opponents who call it an illegal tax.

By Peter Maloney • July 27, 2017

Gas plant makers embrace batteries with hybrid machines

Manufacturers are responding to market demands for flexibility by combining energy storage with conventional generating plants.

By Peter Maloney • July 25, 2017

DER aggregation 101: For utilities, smaller resources can go a long way

Demand response programs are one way utilities are optimizing aggregated distributed energy resources.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2017

DOE partners with Xcel, Panasonic to test smart city ideas in Denver

Peña Station NEXT is a planned 382-acre mixed-use development that will feature renewable energy, storage, LED street lighting and autonomous transportation.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2017

National Academies report finds grid vulnerable to cyber, physical attacks

The report, commissioned by Congress, says power sector stakeholders must work with government to protect against threats and natural disasters. 

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2017

Q&A: CityBase works to take the headache out of government and resident interactions

Smart Cities Dive caught up with CityBase's CEO and VP of Marketing to learn more about their goal to streamline agency services and improve user experiences. 

By Kristin Musulin • July 20, 2017

Q&A: How Cary, NC, proves size is not a limitation of smart development

With a population of 160,000, Cary may not be the first "smart city" location that comes to mind — but members of its government are working to change that impression.

By Jackie Snow • July 20, 2017

A cheap, clean way to split water could bring the end of fossil fuels

Adoption of hydrogen fuel would allow cities to plan future expansions or renovations to their landscape with hydrogen fueling stations or structures for production.

By Megan Ray Nichols • July 20, 2017

Aging infrastructure: how municipalities can make smart upgrades with community support

Stantec Principal Engineer Paul Marshall explains the assets municipalities can leverage when upgrading infrastructure.

July 19, 2017

South Miami mandates rooftop solar for new homes

The Florida city is the fifth nationwide to require private homes to include photovoltaic technology.

By Mary Tyler March • July 19, 2017

Going green: What’s in it for sports venue owners?

Athletics facilities are used for a few hours each week, yet the ability to reduce energy use and costs is clear. However, the bottom line isn't the only driver.

By Kim Slowey • July 18, 2017

Connecticut leads US states in highest home energy bills

Meanwhile, states in the South reported the highest energy consumption per user, according to a WalletHub analysis of monthly energy use across the country.

By Mary Tyler March • July 14, 2017

Students design street sweeper wrap in Kansas

An Elgin Pelican street sweeper in Kansas now features an environmentally themed wrap that was designed by some fifth-grade students at New Stanley Elementary School. The students were the winners in a sweeper wrap design contest.

July 13, 2017

How Philips Lighting, Cree are illuminating the future of smart buildings

By placing sensors in light fixtures and deploying "lighting as a service," buildings and cities could collect massive amounts of practical data.

By Cody Boteler • July 13, 2017

Solar installation faces challenges ahead of projected growth

The rooftop solar market will contract for the first time in 16 years as installers adapt business models, driving a rebound that will see more owners adopt PVs.

By Joe Dyton • July 13, 2017

Bloomberg: 33% of global car fleet will be electric by 2040

Growing automaker commitment to electric vehicles and falling battery prices are predicted to be the two biggest drivers of EV adoption.

By Cody Boteler • July 11, 2017

Incentivizing sustainability

Cities are enticing citizens to take more environmentally friendly actions — and they're seeing results.

By Jason Axelrod • July 11, 2017

Report: Chicago has the most green office space in the US

The city boosted its percentage of LEED- and Energy Star-certified office space by 6.5% in the last year, ousting San Francisco from the top spot on the list.

By Kim Slowey • July 7, 2017

Alphabet lab turns out new geothermal company for residential heating, cooling

Dandelion will operate as a standalone company outside of Google's parent company Alphabet, offering geothermal heating and cooling to residential customers. 

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2017

In Denver, ‘nature doesn’t care’ about per capita measurements for sustainability

Denver's Office of Sustainability doesn't use per capita measurements, putting it behind in some rankings — but the chief sustainability officer says those measurements are not what's important.

By Jackie Snow • July 6, 2017

How data analytics is adding value in the smart home

As the concept of a smart, connected home gains traction, stakeholders are increasingly exploring analytics solutions to push this vision forward.

By Paige Leuschner • July 6, 2017

US Ignite adds 5 cities to network of Smart Gigabit Communities

By entering the network, each city will develop two gigabit applications per year to advance technology solutions and provide support for other SGCs.

By Kristin Musulin • July 6, 2017