Wollongong, NSW works toward its long-term emissions goals with a pilot of kerbside EV chargers
Wollongong's Climate Change Mitigation Plan 2023-2030 calls for net-zero emissions by 2050. A one-year pilot with Endeavour Energy and EVX Australia tests the impacts of kerbside vehicle charging on carbon emissions. Five locations throughout the council were selected based on grid and local attraction proximity. Each location features a pole-mounted charger and two dedicated parking spots. EV owners can recharge their batteries for AU$0.50 per kilowatt hour.
Wollongong, NSW
Australia
Rainbow Lake, AB partners with E2E Energy Solutions on first-in-Canada geothermal energy pilot
The Enhanced Geothermal Reservoir Recovery System (EGRRS) will meet 100% of the town's energy needs by 2028. This technology turns reservoirs and wellbores from fossil fuel extraction into geothermal aquifers. Heated fluid from the production well powers surface-level turbines, thus generating electricity for local homes and businesses. Rainbow Lake studied geothermal options for six years before approving a three-stage development for low-cost and sustainable energy.
Rainbow Lake, AB
Canada
Baltimore, MD undertakes a pilot of blockchain technology for vacant property record management
Baltimore seeks accurate records for the ownership of 13,600 vacant residential properties. A partnership with Medici Land Governance will produce a blockchain platform for record gathering and storage. This system enables timely property transfers from owners to the city and buyers. A three-year pilot compares the platform's effectiveness with current documentation methods. Future uses of the technology may include smart contracts for contractors and tokenized property ownership.
Baltimore, MD
United States
Sydney, NSW partners with Western Sydney University on microclimate mapping project
Two hundred sensors were placed throughout Sydney's eastern neighborhoods for the three-month project. All sensors gather air temperature data at 10-minute intervals with a smaller cohort of sensors collecting humidity data. Researchers identified diverse locations for sensor placement ranging from heavily traveled roads to residential streets with dense tree canopies. Sydney will use microclimate maps for targeted interventions on the path to its 2035 net-zero goal.
Sydney, NSW
Australia
Northern Beaches, NSW trials new methods for diverting engineered timber from local landfills
The one-year pilot with Kimbriki experimented with household collection, drop-offs, and manual recovery from landfills. Residents filled out a form requesting pick-ups for particle board, pallets, and other wood waste over 11 weeks. Kimbriki opened a source-separated collection point for discounted disposal and removed timber from their landfill. The gathered materials were sent to local manufacturer ReDirect for use in building materials and furniture.
Northern Beaches, NSW
Australia
Las Vegas, NV uses Bludot platform for Open Rewards local purchase incentives program
Open Rewards Las Vegas offers 10% cash-back incentives for purchases made at participating small businesses. Residents download the Open Rewards app and link their credit cards or upload receipts to claim their incentives. Business eligibility requirements include local ownership, fewer than 500 employees, and continuous operations since December 2019 or earlier. Las Vegas used $1 million in American Rescue Act funds to operate the program through June 2024.
Las Vegas, NV
United States
New York, NY Street Deliveristas Hubs help growing ranks of app-based delivery workers
Local officials will use a $1 million federal grant on infrastructure for the city's 65,000 delivery workers. Street Deliveristas Hubs turn disused newsstands, outdoor dining spaces, and transit stops into shelter from the elements. Workers can rest, charge their e-bikes or phones, and check their apps without obstructing sidewalks or streets. This first-in-the-U.S. pilot uses feedback from delivery workers during site selection and hub design.
New York, NY
United States
Arlington, TX undertakes a pilot of multiple technologies for food bank delivery services
Arlington received a U.S. Department of Energy grant for a two-year pilot of autonomous food deliveries. Extensive outreach efforts and route planning will precede two demonstration periods of up to four weeks each in East Arlington. Three hundred boxes of food from Tarrant Area Food Bank will be delivered using an Aerialoop ALT6-4 VTOL Delivery Drone and a CLEVON 1 delivery robot. Project leaders will use the Airspace Link AirHub Portal for drone management and route analytics.
Arlington, TX
United States
Austin, TX evaluates the impacts of Archistar's eCheck assessment tool on permit review times
City officials worked with Archistar on integrating eCheck into its building permit system for the pilot. Permit applicants uploaded their 2D and 3D files through an easy-to-use interface. eCheck uses artificial intelligence to compare building plans against Austin's land-use and zoning ordinances. In minutes, applicants receive compliance reports indicating which areas passed, failed, or lacked sufficient information for approval.
Austin, TX
United States
Birmingham, AL Embrace Mothers pilot supports female-headed households with guaranteed income
Birmingham and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) funded a one-year pilot focused on single-mother households. Eligible applicants were female-identifying residents with one or more children under 18 years old without spouses or partners. Embrace Mothers paid $375 per month to 110 participants with another 132 residents surveyed as a control group. A dedicated dashboard hosted by MGI displayed participant demographics, spending patterns, and narratives.
Birmingham, AL
United States
Surprise, AZ turns recyclable plastics into useful products with a trial of Automedi nano machines
Automedi selected Surprise as the first municipal partner for its 3D product vending machines. Three nano units will circulate through the city's libraries, community centers, and public buildings during the pilot. Residents request free 3D-printed products like plastic containers, funnels, and utensils using the nano's simple interface. The project is funded by a $100,000 prize won by Automedi at the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge with no additional cost to the city.
Surprise, AZ
United States
Copenhagen, DK guides prospective educators toward vacant jobs with employment hotline pilot
Fifty-one percent of Copenhagen's teaching vacancies went unfilled in 2022. The hotline - accessible by calling or texting 29 25 55 56 - connects prospective educators to employment experts. Initial conversations match applicants to schools based on career experiences and goals. Applicants of all experience levels work with experts on interview skills and resume development. The pilot involves 50 schools across the city and operates through January 2024.
Copenhagen, DK
Denmark