A foundation veteran who (co-)wrote the book on marrying measurement to giving now says the ideas he promoted have had some “nasty” effects on donor-grantee relationships.

On 21 February, China’s State Council released a new set of urban development guidelines aiming to produce a framework which will create urban areas that have improved navigability, tighter-knit communities, better access to commercial and public areas, and are less resource intensive.

While we are continuously learning more about what makes human habitats both livable and sustainable, a consensus has emerged on the most foundational and necessary design principles. Last year, China Development Bank Capital, Energy Innovation, and Energy Foundation created the Guidelines for Green and Smart Urban Development to outline these design principles.

Public priorities for the electricity sector have shifted in recent years as rapid technological development enables a cleaner, more affordable, reliable, and safe electric system. But many utilities are not keeping pace. As a consequence of new market forces and new options, the institutions governing the electricity system must also evolve.

Independent system operators have empowered aggregators of distributed energy resources (DERs) to sell services into the transmission grid, but simply opening the door for DERs to join the party only goes so far. We still must identify and overcome challenges impeding progress at the interface between meters and transmission towers.

The increase in more mixed-use and walkable neighborhoods is another factor changing the way Angelenos get around. Mixed-use development locates goods and services within walking and biking distance from where people live and work, decreasing the need for long-distance travel by car or transit.

Combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants are the swiss army knife of today’s US power system. One has to decide if CCGT is a pure energy resource paid off through maximum sales of its electricity, or a flexible resource that holds back on production to support the grid.

On February 21, China’s State Council and the Communist Party’s Central Committee released a new set of guidelines for strengthening urban planning and development. As the world’s most populous nation, China’s urban development will set the tone as urban populations continue to grow worldwide.

Eleanor Stein, a former REV project manager, offers insight on how coordination between utilities, regulators, and the public can boost trust in the regulatory process

A number of urban features are drawing smart people and top-notch businesses to cities, all of which share the common objective of being “people-centric,” focusing on the person instead of the car, the street, or the building. As it turns out, the same features making cities most attractive for people and businesses also make them best for the environment and for the economy.