In this section, Informed Infrastructure compiles infographics from trusted sources that reveal insight on infrastructure spending. We also compile some of the top infrastructure stories that shouldn’t be missed. For ongoing news coverage, turn to Informed Infrastructure online (www.informedinfrastructure.com), our Twitter feed (@IInfrastructure) and our weekly e-newsletter.

Falling Renewable Power Costs Open Door to Greater Climate Ambition

Renewable power already is the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world, the latest report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows. According to “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2018” (bit.ly/2JZg3NZ), with prices set to fall, the cost advantage of renewables will extend further, strengthening the business case and solidifying the role of renewables as the engine of the global energy transformation.

According to a report by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), zero-carbon buildings offer meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and positive financial returns over a 25-year lifecycle.

Per the report, “Making the Case for Building to Zero Carbon” (www.cagbc.org/MakingtheCase), the economic assessment for zero-carbon buildings is reinforced over time with the rising cost of carbon, increased resiliency and by avoiding expenses such as future retrofits.

Water

• Clean Water and Clean Energy: The World’s First Solar-Electric Sewage Pump-Out Boat is Powered by Torqeedo

• Gannett Fleming’s Innovative Water Solution Wins Outstanding Project Award for Maryland American Water’s Bel Air Impoundment

• Report Recommends Governmentwide Adoption of Dynamic Water’s Technology for Saving Water

• World Water Day 2019: GWI Launches Water Security Solutions Centre Initiative to Help Water Companies Combat Rising Water Scarcity

• Virginia Environmental Endowment Grants Nearly $800,000 for Shoreline Stabilization at Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Tools and Technology

• Propex GeoSolutions Launches New, Green-Friendly Paving Fabric

• Bentley Systems Introduces Mixed Reality App for Infrastructure Construction Projects Using Microsoft HoloLens 2

• Automatic Vertical Scanning for Drones Now Available

• Trimble Introduces Tekla 2019 Structural BIM Software Solutions

• The Wild 0.10 Allows Revit Users to Collaborate on Their Models in VR with New Revit Add-in Beta Feature