9 September 2021

Swedish Government proposes new and increased investments in green industry

The Swedish government’s budget proposal will include new and increased investments to facilitate the green transformation within industry. Direct financial aid is to increase by 217 million SEK, to a total of 909 million SEK by 2022. Additionally, a raised credit frame for green investments will support corporations to take loans for large green investments. This frame is raised incrementally from 15 billion SEK to 80 billion SEK by 2024. Among the 77 projects that have benefited from the financial support are developers of fossil free steel as well as production of green hydrogen. The aim is to continue developing green technology that is not yet commercialised, but is necessary for decreasing emissions within heavy industries while simultaneously creating jobs locally, according to the Minister for Environment and Climate Per Bolund (Branschaktuellt, Press release).

Aker launch campaign “The World’s Toughest Job”: Starring actor Chuck Norris

The commercial video features the action hero jokingly inhaling carbon as well as converting wind and sun into energy. According to the CEO of Aker, Øyvind Eriksen states that the campaign summarises the challenges that they are facing – and that they are not able to do it alone (Cision). The advertisement calls for a collaboration between industry, society, and politics in order to tackle the challenges of the green campaign and provide solutions. “The heroes of today are not from Hollywood, but from the heavy industries in Norway '', Øyvind Eriksen continues “…and we will cheer on these industry heroes from Norwegian companies”. Aker is however adamant on having oil and gas as a part of their business model, whilst simultaneously investing in renewable energy and the utilisation of green technology (Theworldnews).

Consortium including Aker and Siemens Energy to help green transformation solutions

Together with the engineering company Doosan Babcock, Aker solutions and Siemens Energy plan on delivering solutions to the United Kingdom’s market with a specific focus on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). According to Stephen Bull, Executive VP of Aker Solutions, CCUS technology is crucial for the United Kingdom’s zero emissions goal. The consortium is to offer solutions and facilities as well as contributing to the development of sustainable industry opportunities and value creation. The transition to zero emissions is not solely based on technological advancements, but with advanced solutions that require more than one company. According to Bull, the cooperation with other organisations and industries enables an exchange of competences and experience which is crucial for reaching zero emissions by 2050. For Aker Solutions, partnering with both Siemens Energy and Doosan Babcock is not news, as they have partnered with each actor separately in different fields (Cleantech).  

Nordic Sustainability committee discusses ‘Ecocide crime’

During the meeting in September, Nordic parliamentarians discussed the support of an international law that criminalises large-scale environmental destruction in light of the current climate- and biodiversity crisis. The proposal raised by Rebecka Le Moine from Sweden and Simon Holmström of Åland is gaining traction among several international groups to get ‘Ecocide crime’ recognised.  “Environmental and climate issues are no longer a side business but a central part of all decision-making.” Says Simon Holmström, an Ålandic parliamentarian (Norden). The committee was not prepared to back the proposal during the meeting as the members wanted more information, which motivated the arrangement of a mini-seminar on the subject. 

Metacon field demo of H2PS-5: Xoma AB to be the first customer in the program

Metacon AB initiated a demonstration for their new product – H2PS-5, a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system that converts biogas to hydrogen gas in order to continuously produce electricity and heat, without relying on the electrical grid. For Xoma AB who operate in sustainable marine cultivation and develop closed systems for growing marine products, Metacon’s product can result in significant sustainability benefits. Additionally, the program enables the first customers to purchase the product at a reduced price in exchange for active participation in Metacon’s follow-up work on marketing and technology improvements. According to Xoma’s CEO Dennis Pedersén, the technology provides them with a unique way of delivering circular cultivation systems given to the product's ability to convert biogas into electricity and thermal power (Metacon). 

Nordic event to explore circular opportunities in the region to be held in Copenhagen

A two-day Nordic Circular Summit event is to be hosted by Copenhagen on November 25-26. In 2020, over 1000 delegates from around the world shared information on all things circular. The event kicks off, and allows you to engage with key stakeholders in the Nordic circular movement and delve into topics surrounding circular cities, marine solutions as well as the energy- and manufacturing sector in order to initiate and accelerate circular transitions in the region (Nordic Summit). 

The Nordic event also falls under the umbrella of the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), where an annual event, sponsored by Finland’s Sitra, is being held in Toronto between September 13 and 15, with six thousand participants from almost 150 countries already registered to the digital event (Uusiouutiset & Sitra). 

Ferroamp sign collaboration with electronics manufacturer NOTE

NOTE will manufacture EnergyHub, the ‘brain’ in Ferroamps smart system that integrates renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storages linked to a household’s electrical grid. The production is projected to start in Q4 of 2021 in NOTE’s facilities in Norrtälje, Sweden and Pärnu, Estonia according to a press release (News desk). 

What we’re reading

• US clean-energy blueprint contains 40% solar goal for 2035 (energy.gov)
• Australia smashes renewables record again, hits 58.3 per cent on main grid (RenewEconomy)
• Renewables lead global investment in July (FDI Intelligence)
• Toyota steers towards e-mobility in $13.6bn bet (FDI Intelligence)

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