The CEO's column

We have seen glimpses of improvements in the economy through the spring. Inflation is on the way down along with interest rates and activity in the building sector has increased. But there are also storm clouds gathering that could impede recovery. In particular, the growing threat of trade conflicts around the world, along with greater geopolitical unrest, making the future difficult to foresee.

In Europe, we are discussing the need for massive investment in rearming and defence, unavoidable given the recent changes in the security outlook. In the meantime, it’s vital that we do not lose focus on what is probably our biggest long-term challenge – climate change. It is imperative that the growing focus on defence does not mean that vital investment in energy transition, electrification and sustainability is simply postponed. Our future resilience is not just dependent on strong military defence, but also on a robust, durable and efficient civilian society. And particularly on our energy system.

The changes taking place around us require a lot of things to go hand-in-hand to ensure that progress will continue. Although new projects are being initiated at a rapid pace, especially within the field of energy transition, we are seeing the enforced postponement or reconsideration of certain industrial projects because consumer transition, labour availability and infrastructure are not aligned with overarching needs. One good example is Microsoft’s investment in new cloud and AI infrastructure in Sweden, worth SEK 33.7 billion. The expansion of the data centres at Gävle and Sandviken was included in the investment, but work at the latter was recently suspended due to a shortage of electricity. This is a good example of how political goals and investments are not enough – the infrastructure also has to be there. Access to electricity, water, cooling, heating and transport is often essential for the completion of a project.

In this issue of FVB-Nytt, you can read more about Microsoft’s projects in Sandviken and Gävle, where FVB has been contracted to provide expert support and design review with particular focus on the design work fulfilling the requirements for dealing with rainwater and cloudbursts. Climate adaptation is an area in which requirements are rapidly getting tougher and where FVB’s skills are in demand in a range of new contexts. Microsoft’s facilities are dimensioned to cope with extreme cloudbursts and to be able to handle large volumes of water without disrupting operations. They are a good example of how technology and proactive system-oriented thinking can mitigate the vulnerability of critical systems and infrastructure.

You will have read in an earlier edition of FVB-Nytt how surplus heat from SSAB in Oxelösund will be replaced with heat from Vattenfall’s CHP plant in Nyköping, when SSAB electrifies its steel production. Ground has now been broken for the district heating pipe between Nyköping and Oxelösund, for which FVB has been contracted as project manager, designer and construction manager. The project is an excellent illustration of the role of district heating as a key component of energy transition. In a world in which access to and demand for different energy types is changing fast, and from which some types of surplus energy are disappearing to be replaced by many new ones, flexibility, redundancy and collaboration are much needed. And this is where district heating has the unique ability to help optimise at system level to achieve reduced climate impact and low production costs. Another good example is the exciting construction of the ESS research centre, opening in 2027, where FVB is responsible for elements of the commissioning work. While the centre will allow scientists from all over the world to study materials at the atomic level, it will also supply large volumes of surplus heat to Kraftringen’s district heating grid. ESS is expected to account for around 25% of the city of Lund's entire heating needs.

FVB’s international activities also continue to grow and develop. During the spring, we took part in the Campus Energy Conference in Boston, USA – one of North America’s biggest forums for sustainable energy supply for universities and colleges. The conference theme “Accelerating the Energy Transition” was highly relevant and clearly showcased the role of universities as test beds and innovators within energy systems. We were able to use our presentations to share our experience gained from European and North American projects. We also gained important insights into how collaboration and the exchange of ideas can drive energy transition forwards.

There are many pieces to the puzzle still missing before we can reach the goal of a sustainable energy supply. One of them is the capture and storage of carbon dioxide through CCS and CCU. In this edition of FVB-Nytt, you can read about Tekniska Verken in Linköping, the first facility in the country to build a plant able to upgrade carbon dioxide from biogas production for use in food products. FVB has been contracted to the project for process and pipe construction, as well as integration with existing processes.

A summer that will hopefully mean the chance for rest and reflection will soon be upon us. We hope for “sun, wind and rain” in equal measure to satisfy beach-hungry holidaymakers, energy generators and other key elements of society. On that note, FVB wishes to thank all our customers for an intensive and exciting first six months and wish everyone a wonderful summer.

Per Skoglund,
CEO FVB Sweden