The CEO's column

For some time now, we have seen how local authorities, energy companies, individual industrial companies and investors have taken the lead in Sweden and internationally. Demand is growing for world leaders to formulate a clear and more effective climate policy to stimulate more initiatives.

Meanwhile, there is still a lot of uncertainty about the economic outlook. Inflation has dropped and interest rates have been reduced in increments, but investment pace is still slow within many sectors, especially housebuilding. On the other hand, there is considerable activity within the energy industry. One clear trend is that the energy transition in Sweden is due to a large extent to local and regional initiatives, driven to some extent by local and regional climate goals, but with a large contribution from prominent external factors such as high fuel prices and fluctuating electricity prices. It has also become clear that the best way to deal with such factors is to have a range of alternative production means, to be able to continuously cost-optimise energy production. Therein lies the key to the future competitiveness of district heating and cooling. In parallel with local and regional initiatives, the government needs to define the criteria that will support and accelerate development. This will involve everything from permitting processes and regulations to building infrastructure and improving incentives.

In this issue of FVB-Nytt, we take a look at several examples of how energy transition boils down to something more concrete and practical. It’s all about getting pipes of the right dimension in the right place to create more efficient systems and to utilise resources that have previously gone to waste. In Vaggeryd, FVB has helped realise a surplus heat collaboration between the energy company and pulp producer Waggeryd Cell. The collaboration entails replacing traditional heat production with local surplus heat, forging a robust and efficient district heating system for the future. Industrial development is combined with smart energy utilisation, resulting in a system in which surplus heat is eventually expected to account for up to 50% of the total requirement. This is a prime example of how collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking can lead to lower emissions and high energy-efficiency.

The same principle applies in Mölndal, where district cooling production has been expanded, with FVB responsible for the process. The combination of free cooling, surplus heat-driven absorption cooling, compressor cooling and an effective cooling accumulator mean that Mölndal Energi can optimise its production to utilise free cooling and surplus heat-driven cooling production to the greatest extent possible. This is a demonstration of the growing importance of district cooling in urban development and in sectors where reliable and eco-friendly cooling represents an important factor.

In Örebro, we contributed to the renewal of a full secondary grid in the Brunnsgärdet neighbourhood. Thanks to careful planning, well-designed technical solutions and close dialogue with the residents, a challenging project could be completed with minimum disruption to domestic life. This project demonstrated that it is possible to renew an ageing district heating system safely and sustainably with regards to technology, the environment and people, by deploying high-level technical competence and understanding of customer needs.

The issue of minimising disruption for the residents was also key to the project when Bostads AB Mimer wanted to replace water mains in the Välljärnet district of Västerås. The mains grid was ageing and needed modernising to reduce the risk of disruptions and to facilitate service and maintenance. Care was also taken to boost capacity in the surface water system, to deal with the new challenges of higher rainfall. The old district heating pipes were also replaced. It's a great feeling to be able to offer a complete project management service thanks to our expansion within water systems, utilising our skills within surface water surveys and pipeline design for this type of project where know-how and experience within water and district heating are needed.

In this issue, we also look at the importance of having good procedures in place for pressurised equipment found in the full range of energy plants. Many energy companies still lack programmes for regular inspection of such equipment. This is not just a question of complying with the law and avoiding fines, it’s also about building safe plants and avoiding injuries and unnecessary downtime. With extensive experience and expertise within this field, FVB can help.

FVB’s role in all these projects reflects our wide range of skills and ability to combine technical specialities with a comprehensive approach. There is more to it that designing pipelines or optimising accumulators. Every component has to work together, from an environmental, financial and engineering perspective. This comprehensive approach is a fundamental part of what we offer, and one of the reasons why we are often trusted to take a project all the way from feasibility study to commissioning.

As the climate conference attracts global attention and climate issues are discussed in an overarching and perhaps abstract way, we also need to remember that the process of transition is going on right now in our businesses, in actual projects and real plants. That’s where the real results will be achieved. And that’s also where FVB will continue to contribute – as systems innovator and a force for development – using the skills and commitment of our 160 employees.

With that, FVB wishes you inspirational reading and an enjoyable winter.

Per Skoglund,
CEO FVB Sweden