Urban Renewable Energy Solutions

I used to think solar panels and green roofs were like oil and water—you had to pick one. Panels need full sun to generate electricity. Plants need sunlight to grow. Shade one, and the other suffers. A pilot study by BCA, NParks, and NUS proves otherwise. They tested co-located solar panels and greenery on the rooftop of Alexandra Primary School in Bukit Merah from November 2021 to October 2022—and the results are fascinating: 1️⃣ Panels perform better when cooler Solar panels lose efficiency when they get hot—sometimes several percent under direct sun. Green roofs cool the panels naturally through evapotranspiration, where plants release water vapor that absorbs heat. Result: ~1.3% higher electricity output, enough to power 7,400 HDB flats a year if scaled across Singapore. 2️⃣ Plants thrive under panels Shade-tolerant species like Pilea Depressa grew 20% more horizontal coverage than on a regular green roof. Partial shade protects plants from intense sun while still allowing photosynthesis. Bonus: urban biodiversity improves without extra maintenance. 3️⃣ Buildings stay cooler and more efficient Shading the roof reduces indoor ceiling temperatures. Less aircon = lower energy use and happier occupants. It’s a win-win for building owners and the environment. The takeaway? Innovation doesn’t always mean new tech. Sometimes it’s about rethinking how existing systems can complement each other. Solar panels + green roofs: two “oil and water” systems that actually work beautifully together. Given Singapore’s limited rooftop space, this approach shows that rooftops can generate electricity, support greenery, and keep buildings cool—all at once. #Sustainability #UrbanInnovation #GreenBuildings #SolarPower #Singapore

Japan is changing the game in urban energy. Forget futuristic concepts. This is about simple, sustainable innovation that works today. ↗️ Every step taken on a sidewalk, every car that drives by, is now part of the energy solution. ↗️ At Tokyo Station, 1,400 kWh of energy is generated daily, just from footsteps. ↗️ 0.1 watts per footstep may seem small, but it powers a significant portion of high-traffic buildings. Here’s what’s even more powerful. Piezoelectric floors at Shibuya Station turn 500,000 footsteps into energy for LED screens and ticket gates. Bridges in Ashiya City convert car vibrations into energy to power streetlights, reducing reliance on the grid. Tokyo Station’s 25m² floor generates enough energy for 1,400 LED streetlights each day. Fujisawa City Hall uses piezoelectric tiles to offset 0.5% of its annual energy needs, enough to power 12 homes for an entire year. What does this all add up to? Cities are shifting from consumers of energy to producers. Japan’s Green Transformation Plan is betting on this tech to reach 40-50% renewable energy by 2040. Piezoelectric tech could also save cities like Yokohama millions in healthcare costs due to reduced emissions. Sure, piezoelectric systems still only convert 5-15% of mechanical energy to electricity. However, by 2030, the costs will drop 30-50%, making this technology more accessible and scalable. This is the future of cities. Sustainable. Efficient. Powered by every step we take. #energyinnovation #sustainability #greentechnology #smartcities #renewableenergy #piezoelectric #urbanenergy

Honeycomb-style wind turbines Advancing urban renewable energy solutions 🌎 The evolution of renewable energy continues to advance, marked by innovations such as bladeless, honeycomb-shaped wind turbines that represent a notable technological breakthrough. Industry analyses have indicated that this design “could revolutionize the way that renewable energy is generated.” Traditional wind turbines, characterized by their large rotating blades, involve significant installation and maintenance costs and require extensive land, confining their use primarily to non-urban areas. Bladeless, compact wind turbines introduce a solution through the use of “oscillating aerofoils” to capture wind movement and convert it into electrical energy—facilitating power generation even at reduced wind speeds. These compact, modular designs can be integrated into existing structures, enhancing urban deployment and broadening the accessibility of renewable energy infrastructure. The reduced mechanical complexity minimizes maintenance needs, lowers environmental impact, and improves wildlife safety. Although discussions continue regarding energy output compared to conventional turbines, the clear benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and reduced ecological footprint emphasize the importance of scalable technological solutions in renewable energy. Innovative technologies in renewable energy must prioritize scalability to achieve widespread implementation and substantial environmental impact. Such advancements are redefining energy infrastructure strategies, contributing to the transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape. Source: DW #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #climateaction #energy

Densely populated areas face the biggest challenge for the decarbonisation of heating and cooling. While numerous solutions are available for new and renovated single-family buildings this is not (yet) the case terraced and high-rise multi-family buildings typically found in cities. Replacing their fossil gas, oil or even coal boilers with emission-free alternatives is a challenge, even more so, if currently one heat generator is installed per apartment. Being in the #heatpump field, I have heard more often than once: that these buildings are not fit for heat pumps, especially if unrenovated. This is where you will need combustion technology for a long time or you connect them to district heating, but if that is not available, it will take a while for the networks to be built. ==> A shared ambient energy grid can be a solution. It is installed in the building and serves as energy source and sink for a fleet of heatpumps that provide heating, hot water and cooling on the apartment level. A shared ambient energy grid, also called a thermal loop, a shared ground array, an ultra-low temperature heat network, an energy grid, a Thermonet Europe, or 5th generation DHC (#5GDHC) is a two-pipe system operating at ambient temperature. Typically, the two pipes are connected to one central heat generator that ensures a base temperature. This can be any sort of waste energy (data centre, cooling device of commercial buildings, backflow of a traditional district heating system, wastewater heat exchanger), or a dedicated generator, i.e. a commercial heat pump. As the temperature in the loop is too low to heat buildings directly, individual heat pumps are installed on the apartment level and a storage tank is added for hot water comfort. The thermal loop and all storage create a thermal battery with significant capacity that can contribute to a more stable grid, storing surplus PV and wind electricity for later use. In the apartment, heating and cooling are distributed via radiators or floor/ceiling heating systems, fan-coils or air ducts. If heating and cooling are needed in parallel at different parts of the building, the waste heat of cooling devices becomes the energy source of the heating heat pumps. Such a circular energy system can be installed in one or many buildings, providing thermal energy to all buildings in a street, a quarter or a whole city. Luckily, this is not only a concept, but a trend. Look at the overview Dr. Marco Wirtz has created for Germany. I am sure there are similar articles for other countries. A trend with benefits: less overall energy use, no emission at point of operation, grid stability, fewer heat islands, the use of local, renewable energy... Tamsin Lishman, Jussi Hirvonen, Richard Freimüller Philip Ord Mark Vellinga Fredrik Rosenqvist Lars Bierlein Jesper Jarnhäll Stina Albing Christian BLANC Piotr Kubera https://lnkd.in/e3dyb6wK

Every municipal building in Chicago—from O'Hare Airport to fire stations—just flipped the switch to 100% clean energy. 400+ buildings 2 of the world's largest water treatment plants Both major airports Every fire station in the city How did Chicago achieve this? Solar Power: Approximately 70% of Chicago's renewable energy comes from the Double Black Diamond Solutions solar farm—a massive 800MW installation and one of the largest in the U.S. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs): The remaining 30% of the city's power needs are met through RECs, though officials plan to phase these out in favor of direct renewable sources. The impact: - = Taking 62,000 cars off the road - $100M in tax revenue for local counties - New green jobs flooding the market - $400K/year for clean energy job training, benefiting organizations like Chicago Women in Trades While international climate conferences produce more rhetoric than action and national governments remain gridlocked, municipalities are quietly revolutionizing our approach to environmental challenges—proving that real change can happen from the ground up. #chicago #climatetech #renewables #climatetechVC #climateVC, #solar Image: Climateactapp

Scaling solar energy deployment is critical for a sustainable future, and community solar is emerging as a game-changing model. This innovative approach allows utilities to rent rooftop space from local residents, covering the upfront costs of solar panel installation. The energy generated is then shared with nearby participants, delivering lower electricity bills, clean energy access, and a sense of community ownership. Why It Works: 1. Economic Boost: For every €1 million invested in community solar, an additional €0.5 million is generated in local economic activity, according to a study by IDAE. Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía. 2. Local Engagement: By fostering community involvement, this model ensures more equitable participation in the energy transition. 3. Global Lessons: Spain’s pioneering model, supported by legislation and tax incentives, is a blueprint for scaling renewables globally, including in other regions globally. However, challenges like upfront costs, grid integration, and low public awareness still need to be addressed. With streamlined policies, flexible consumer participation, and prioritising urban hubs, community solar can become a cornerstone of global decarbonisation efforts. Learn more about how this model can shape a cleaner, more equitable energy future in our latest edition of Earth's Energy Future, which is focused on advancing energy equity and innovation. #CommunitySolar #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #Decarbonisation #EarthsEnergyFuture Bezos Earth Fund

Energy Networks: Stitching Infrastructure through Land & Water is a thesis project from our Arch 802, graduating Masters of Architecture program.⁠ ⁠ ]This proposal envisions a renewable energy power plant serving as a backup power source for an industrial area in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s major cities. The plant is designed to stabilize the electricity supply, especially during Rio’s frequent summer blackouts, by providing a reliable and sustainable backup. Beyond its technical function, the project also aims to drive investment and stimulate economic growth. The design integrates multiple renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, and wind power. A key architectural feature is a central spine that connects the city’s electrical grid to the waterfront. This includes a piezoelectric walkway—a pine-covered pedestrian path that captures kinetic energy from foot traffic and converts it into electricity. The site’s defining feature—a canal with direct access to the sea—enhances its viability for a power plant. Moreover, the facility is envisioned not just as critical infrastructure, but also as a public space and tourist destination. Its proximity to the water allows for recreational opportunities and community engagement, merging functionality with environmental consciousness and public experience.⁠ ⁠ Student Name: Neha Mudu & Sarvesh Sanket Joshi⁠ @nehamudu @sarveshjoshi2697⁠ Course Name: Arch 802 ⁠ Semester: Spring 2025⁠ Instructors: Prof Marcella Del Signore @marcelladelsi and Prof Evan Shieh @ev07⁠ ⁠ #nyit #nyitsoad #nyitarch #architecture #design #thesis #resiliency #cleanenergy #urbandesign #infrastructure #energy