Energy
How is Electricity Generated, Anyway?
We use electricity to turn on the lights, charge our phones, and participate in a wide variety of activities. But where exactly does electricity come from?
September 15, 2022
Design & Construction
An Architectural Blast into the Past
Oakland has one of the most interesting architectural legacies in the Bay Area: Art Deco, Beaux-Arts, and Victorian buildings are scattered throughout the city, and famous architects such as Julia Morgan and Frederick Law Olmstead have left their imprint on the urban landscape. Even though new developments have put this history in danger, a local group in Old Oakland is making sure it is preserved.
August 29, 2022
Design & Construction
Decarbonizing My Home
What’s it like to electrify in the Bay Area? EcoBlock’s Sandy Robertson reveals the advantages (and potential drawbacks) of living in a decarbonized home.
August 22, 2022
Community
Empowering Aspiring Artists
The art industry can be difficult to break into without connections, resources, and a lot of luck. A group of Oakland-based organizations and volunteers are working to support local artists by sharing their work and exposing a wider audience to the power of art.
August 15, 2022
Energy
Disrupting the Utility Model: Blockchain-Based Energy
Blockchain is fundamentally redefining how we share and distribute energy. Learn how this technology can help power the future of smart microgrids.
August 8, 2022
Energy
Inflation Reduction Act Brings Renewed Hope for Climate Action
The Inflation Reduction Act contains the most ambitious strategy for climate change and clean energy production. While the details are still being sorted out, one thing is clear—this is welcome news in the fight against climate change, and an opportunity to double down on working towards a cleaner, greener, and more equitable planet.
August 2, 2022
Community
Event Recap: ‘The Oakland EcoBlock: A Block-Scale Urban Retrofit and Community Solar Microgrid’ at MIT A+B
EcoBlock Project Manager Therese Peffer discusses the project as a pathway to scalable, equitable energy at the 2022 MIT A+B Applied Energy Symposium.
August 1, 2022
Design & Construction
Designing for Net-Zero: How Architecture Influences Energy Demand
Visions of a sustainable future often center around high-tech solutions that cut energy use for heating, cooling, lighting, and other home services. However, a building’s design can have as much or more impact on its emissions and energy use than the appliances it contains. Learn more about how architectural design can influence a building’s efficiency.
July 21, 2022
Community
The Square By the Sea
Situated across the Bay from the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Oakland’s Jack London Square is an entertaining district for tourists and residents alike. EcoBlock’s Amit Cohen explores the constant redevelopment of this historic waterfront as it navigates a long-standing, cross-bay rivalry.
July 13, 2022
EcoBlock
EcoBlock Alumni Spotlight: Serena Patel on Advancing the Energy Transition Through Data, Technology, and Policy
Former EcoBlock team member Serena Patel reflects on her experience working on Phase II of the project and shares what she’s been up to since.
July 7, 2022