Electricity is crucial to our modern lifestyle, but gets very little of our attention. Soon enough, though, big players in the electricity space are expecting residential and commercial customers to sit up and take notice of new technologies and businesses coming to an electric meter or plug near them.

As more and more of China’s population moves into urban areas, it is imperative that cities are built with the right design practices, known as The 8 Principles, in mind so they benefit people, the environment and the economy.

Comparing how electricity contracts, markets, and grid operations are evolving in California and the Midwest sheds light on changes that will be necessary as renewable sources like wind and solar begin to form the core of our electricity mix.

During his State of the State address, Governor Brown proposed a goal of 50% renewable energy on California’s electric grid by 2030. Is this bold goal realistic? It all depends on how we choose to integrate renewables onto the grid.

This article describes the social, environmental, and economic benefits of sustainable urban development. Studies have shown that mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that value public transit development over private car use actually command higher property value. Around the world and in China, more of these people-centered cities are already emerging.

As states begin thinking about how they will comply with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, energy efficiency should receive considerable attention as one of the most effective options.

Demand response technologies, which range from smart thermostats and water heaters in homes to sophisticated industrial systems, aren’t discussed as often as renewables or conventional fossil fuel technology, but they will be critical for the future of our electricity system.

The way in which new cities are built will drastically determine whether they contribute to the reversal – or acceleration – of climate change. Proper design of urban form and transportation systems, especially in China, will be crucial for getting these cities right.

A new Energy Innovation report, Cities for People in Practice, compares three sustainably developed communities that offer successful examples of the “cities for people” approach to urban development. By emphasizing public transit, walkability, and bicycling, these neighborhoods provide increased mobility and a higher quality of life for residents and visitors, but development costs have been comparable to traditional neighborhoods.

In an article for China Daily, Hal Harvey explains the importance of building codes for winning both the air quality and pollution battles in China. Building codes can help combat climate change. International experience suggests that carefully designed standards and pollution control strategies, if properly enforced, can make an enormous difference to air pollution and help with climate change.