30 May 2023
Today's Top Nordic Green News:
- DLG invests in BioCirc to develop circular energy clusters in Denmark
DLG invests in BioCirc to develop circular energy clusters in Denmark
DLG, a Danish agricultural company, has invested a significant amount in green energy firm BioCirc to establish circular energy clusters in Denmark. This investment is part of DLG's Creating the Future 2030 strategy, which aims to support the green transition within the company's business areas by investing at least SEK 2 billion by 2030. BioCirc, already one of Denmark's largest biogas producers, plans to develop land-based energy clusters that integrate biogas production, solar and wind farms, electrolysis and other technologies.
The partnership will focus initially on enabling DLG's 26,000 members to supply biomass for biogas production, benefiting both the farmers and the energy sector's transition to renewable sources. The collaboration aims to merge agriculture and energy in a circular model, allowing farmers to become both food and energy producers. The goal is to reduce the CO2 footprint and contribute to Denmark's climate goals while securing the future of Danish agriculture. Biogas is expected to cover 100% of Denmark's gas consumption by 2030, presenting significant growth potential and export opportunities.
New power line cables to Gotland by 2031
The Swedish energy grid operator Svenska Kraftnät has decided to build two new power line cables to Gotland in a project valued at SEK 6 billion. The island will therefore be connected to the mainland backbone energy network from 2031. The move to connect Gotland to the network follows increased energy demands on the island, the unveiling of more wind power turbines, but also the tense security situation in the Baltic Sea and the island’s strategic role in the defence.
Svenska kraftnät had previously rejected the idea of new power lines in 2017 but reconsidered due to the island's critical role and the security situation. Currently, there are two power lines from the 1980s connecting Västervik and Ygne on Gotland. Power outages on the island in recent years have prompted the need for an upgrade.
Metsä Group plans a pilot plant for refined lignin product
Metsä Group, through its subsidiary Metsä Fibre, is planning to establish a pilot plant for refined lignin products in Äänekoski, Central Finland. The objective is to develop a process for separating lignin from black liquor and refining it for new applications, according to Metsä Group. Lignin, a bonding agent in wood fibres, is removed from the fibres in pulp production. The pilot plant is being planned in collaboration with engineering company Andritz. With a capacity of approximately two tons per day, the plant would be integrated into Metsä Group's Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The investment decision is expected to be made this year.
Taloussanomat, Helsingin Sanomat
Sweden's largest solar park powers theme parks
Sweden's largest solar park has been inaugurated in Fjällskär outside Nyköping. The park, a collaboration between Svea Solar, Bixia and Parks and Resorts, will generate over 20 GWh of solar energy per year. This energy will be used to power the Gröna Lund, Kolmården and Skara Sommarland theme parks during the summer seasons, making them completely powered by solar energy.
In addition to providing renewable energy, the solar park will also support biodiversity by allowing sheep to graze in the area and providing a passage for wild animals. The collaboration demonstrates how long-term partnerships can contribute to the transition to green energy.
Growing fuel shortage poses challenges for district heating industry in Sweden
The district heating industry in Sweden, represented by Södertörns Fjärrvärme (SFAB), is facing a growing challenge in finding fuel due to global geopolitical issues and inflation. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a decrease in the supply of fuels from Europe, causing prices to rise sharply. The reduced availability of biofuels, combined with increasing demand from other sectors such as transportation, has further contributed to the price hikes. SFAB, which supplies district heating in several municipalities, is experiencing intense competition for fuels in Europe, resulting in unprecedented price levels. Despite the rising costs, SFAB assures customers that production will continue and emphasises the reliability of district heating as an essential service.
Swedish and Indian collaboration focuses on circular economy initiatives
Swedish and Indian research financiers, in collaboration with Formas, have announced the awarding of SEK 48 million to eight research and innovation projects in the areas of plastics, energy, textiles and food. The joint call for tenders aims to support projects that contribute to the transition towards a circular economy, addressing knowledge gaps and innovation needs. This Indo-Swedish partnership signifies the high relevance and shared interest in circular economy initiatives between the two countries.
Zparq secures EUR 2.5 million funding for electric marine motors
Swedish company Zparq has secured EUR 2.5 million in a funding round led by Spanish bank Santander and Almi Invest Green Tech. The company specialises in developing compact electric marine motors for boats, with a focus on sustainability and emissions reduction. Zparq's innovative technology, including effective cooling mechanisms, allows for high power output in a compact design. Their products, including an outboard motor called Z10, aim to replace traditional gasoline-powered engines in the boat market, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative. With the new funding, Zparq plans to continue testing and finalise their OEM system for boat manufacturers, with the goal of launching it by the end of the year. They also plan to conduct beta testing for their outboard motor and start accepting orders next year.
5-year review of Sweden's Industriklivet
Industriklivet is an initiative led by the Swedish Energy Agency with the aim of supporting the transformation of the industry towards a sustainable and fossil-free future. It was established five years ago to contribute to Sweden's climate goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Industriklivet has funded numerous projects in various technology tracks, such as bio-CCS, CCS, CCU, electrification, hydrogen, biomass, recycling and policy.
While some projects have already yielded commercializable products with direct emission reduction effects, significant reductions across all industries will take time. Beneficiaries of Industriklivet view it as a platform for fostering the growth of technologies and processes. To achieve the goal of zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2045, project managers and entrepreneurs emphasise the need for a mature market, developed technology, stable laws, and continued government support.
Household electricity consumption in Norway drops sharply in 2022
In 2022, electricity consumption by households in Norway reached 35.4 TWh, marking an 11% decrease compared to the previous year and the lowest level since 2014. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including a relatively warm year with temperatures 1-2 degrees higher than normal, which reduced the need for heating, a significant electricity-consuming activity in Norwegian households. Additionally, high electricity prices throughout the year likely influenced consumption habits and contributed to the overall decline. Cabins and holiday homes also experienced an 18% reduction in electricity consumption due to the combination of high prices and the lack of electricity support for these properties. The decrease in household and cabin consumption accounted for 30% of the total electricity consumption in Norway in 2022.
Furthermore, electricity consumption in service industries decreased by 3.3%, except for the "Information and communication" sector, which saw a significant increase due to the establishment of data centres and increased activity. Power-intensive industries experienced a 2.3% reduction in electricity consumption, while power production decreased by 7.1% compared to the previous year. Hydropower remained the dominant source of electricity production, accounting for 88% of the total, followed by wind and thermal power. Norway maintained a net export of 12.5 TWh of power in 2022, with 25.8 TWh exported and 13.3 TWh imported.
World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki highlights nature and circular economy
The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is currently taking place in Helsinki, gathering more than two thousand participants from over a hundred countries. As the world's largest circular economy event, WCEF aims to promote sustainable economic growth and address nature loss. Key discussions revolve around the role of the scientific community in promoting the circular economy, the need for a metric that better represents well-being and resource use, and the urgency to combat nature loss and strengthen biodiversity. The forum serves as a platform for sharing experiences and inspiring companies to transition to circular economy models.
What we’re reading
- German start-up wins initial funding for revolutionary fusion energy machine (Financial Times)
About Nordic Green News
The Nordic countries are some of the most dynamic and successful economies in the world. They are also leaders in sustainability, from renewable energy, biofuels, carbon capture and storage and the hydrogen economy, circular economy business models and battery development, the Nordics are pioneers in policy design, technology development and consumer uptake. Mundus Nordic Green News is covering this transition for the international community. Every day we curate the stories of most relevance to international businesspeople and policy experts from the flow of news. Mundus Nordic Green Indices summarise the meta-data from our daily coverage to enable easy tracking of trends. We supplement these with our own opinion pieces and commentary.
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