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Tesla testing its solar capabilities in Puerto Rico rebuild
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalAmid reports coming out of Puerto Rico's devastation, there is news of an effort to bring solar power to the island for short-term relief. Around 75 percent of the island still lacks power after Hurricane Maria. In the longer term, solar power is also being considered as a way to build a new energy grid featuring a strong renewable energy element.
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Retailers hold the key to Europe’s F-Gas transition
Andrew Gaved Facilities & GroundsIn previous posts, I have lamented the slow take-up of conversion to lower-GWP refrigerants in Europe and have presented several doom-laden scenarios about what might happen to refrigerant prices and availability if the industry doesn’t get a move on. I thought I would start this one off a bit more positively, and share a new a report that, while also lamenting the slow take-up of conversions, does move on to make some useful suggestions and recommendations for policy action.
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Common generator problems in industrial settings
Clayton Costello EngineeringGenerators need to run smoothly and efficiently to effectively power necessary equipment in industrial settings. However, there are a few common problems industrial generators encounter that factory managers, OEMs and owners should be aware of in order to prevent downtime. The single most common generator problem is neglected maintenance, but improper sizing and inadequate fuel supply are also problems that occur often.
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The messy problem with global city rankings
Lucy Wallwork Civil & GovernmentFor those of us looking to see how our home city stacks up against the rest of the world, there is now no shortage of places to find comparisons — the "Quality of Living" index made global headlines, as did the Economist Intelligence Unit's widely cited ranking of the "world's most livable cities."
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Skilled labor shortage impacting rebuilding efforts
Michelle R. Matisons Construction & Building MaterialsIn the last two months, we've witnessed historic Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria severely damage Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Puerto Rico. There are many statistics that have emerged from these disastrous events, and one of the most chilling is the number of homes damaged or destroyed. Tens of thousands of homes were flooded, while other homes were permanently damaged beyond repair.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Is the asking rent too high?
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.
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The business of laser scanning: Surveyors and ‘wedding photographers’
Ken Smerz Science & TechnologyOur story begins many years ago when surveyors ruled the world. The highly trained professionals who are an absolute necessity in a world of land ownership, wealth and political control. After all, they're the ones responsible for accurately documenting the earth — right?
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Sao Paolo: Can a bold urban vision survive political changes?
Lucy Wallwork Civil & GovernmentThe transformational power of urbanism has captured the imagination of policymakers around the world in recent years. In particular, the people-centered wave of "new urbanists" have proved seductive.
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Having a vision for your facility
Scott Nolin Healthcare AdministrationThis morning marks roughly 48 hours since my family and I emerged from our temporary home not knowing what we’d find in the wake of Hurricane Irma. After a circuitous route home, we pulled into our driveway with the same uncertainty.
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Thinking spatially: How GIS changes the way we plan cities
Lucy Wallwork Science & Technology"Data is the new oil." That goes for how our cities work as much as any other industry. GIS data adds a new spatial dimension to data sets, helping us understand the importance of location in the meaning of the data around us. And it is set to become a key source of data for city planners.
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