It is not new but Hammarby Sjöstadis a beautiful suburb of Stockholm that has emerged as a great innovative model for sustainable urban development, integrating innovative digital solutions to enhance energy efficiency, transportation, and community engagement. Central to this transformation is ElectriCITY Innovation, a non-profit economic association founded in 2014, aiming to create a climate-neutral district by 2030.
Digital Energy Solutions
One of the standout initiatives is the development of a Microgrid in Hammarby Sjöstad. This project leverages the BRIKKS platform, an open digital marketplace where service providers can offer energy-related services directly to community members. By integrating ProptechOS, standardized property data is transferred from building automation systems to BRIKKS, ensuring high-quality data is available for service developers.
Additionally, the DigiCity Climate project focuses on creating a digital platform that collects and utilizes data in collaboration with local energy providers. This platform enables housing cooperatives to directly contribute to Stockholm’s climate goals while optimizing their own energy costs. Collaborative Research and Development
ElectriCITY Innovation actively participates in both national and international research projects, focusing on energy, transportation, digitalization, and the circular economy. By collaborating with members and stakeholders, the organization identifies new opportunities and engages in projects relevant to future challenges.
Living Testbed
The suburb serves as a “living testbed,” where over 25,000 residents and more than 14,000 workers participate in real-life testing of innovative products and services. This approach provides unique insights and opportunities for developing competitive solutions in real-world conditions.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
The district boasts one of the highest densities of EV charging points in Sweden, with over 1,000 charging stations available in residential garages and more than 30 public charging stations, including fast chargers. This extensive infrastructure ensures that approximately 25% of parking spaces are equipped with EV charging capabilities.
Car-Sharing Initiatives
To encourage sustainable transportation, Hammarby Sjöstad has implemented car-sharing programs. A notable example is a pilot project where three households within a housing cooperative shared an electric car, assessing the feasibility and benefits of communal EV ownership.
Additionally, the district has served as a testbed for broader car-sharing services. For instance, NEVS launched a pilot car-sharing project in Hammarby Sjöstad, marking a step towards creating an ecosystem of self-driving cars aimed at benefiting both individuals and the environment – see SAAB Planet for more information.
Automated Waste Collection System
The district employs an automated waste collection system developed by Envac. This system utilizes underground pneumatic tubes to transport waste from residential and commercial buildings to central collection points, reducing the need for traditional waste collection vehicles. This approach has decreased on-site collection traffic by 60%, contributing to the district’s environmental goals. See Envac Group
Comprehensive Waste Sorting
Residents are required to separate waste into categories such as food, plastic, paper, and glass. This segregation facilitates efficient recycling and resource recovery processes. Here is and excelent additonal set of articles for further reading – Semester at Sea
Biogas Production from Organic Waste
Organic waste is processed to produce biogas, which is utilized as fuel for vehicles like buses, taxis, and waste collection trucks, and to heat approximately 1,000 homes in the area. – https://urbangreenbluegrids.com
District Heating
The primary method for heating in Hammarby Sjöstad is through an extensive district heating network. A significant portion of this heat is sourced from the Hammarbyverket plant, which utilizes advanced heat pump technology to extract thermal energy from treated wastewater supplied by the Henriksdal wastewater treatment plant. This process not only provides heating but also contributes to the district’s sustainability goals by recycling energy that would otherwise be wasted. – Smart City Sweden
Fuel Sources
The district heating system in Hammarby Sjöstad is powered by a mix of energy sources:
- Purified Wastewater: Approximately 34% of the district’s heating energy is derived from purified wastewater, showcasing an innovative approach to energy recovery.
- Combustible Household Waste: Around 47% of the heating energy comes from the incineration of household waste, effectively reducing landfill usage and generating useful thermal energy.
- Biofuels: About 16% of the heating energy is sourced from biofuels, further emphasizing the district’s commitment to renewable energy.
These figures highlight the district’s dedication to utilizing sustainable and renewable energy sources for heating purposes.
District Cooling
For cooling needs, Hammarby Sjöstad employs a district cooling system that operates in conjunction with the heating infrastructure. After heat is extracted from the treated wastewater for heating purposes, the remaining cooled water is utilized to provide district cooling. This integrated approach ensures efficient use of energy resources and maintains comfortable indoor temperatures during warmer periods. White Arkitekter
Geothermal Systems
In addition to centralized systems, some housing associations within Hammarby Sjöstad have implemented geothermal solutions. For example, the Sjöstaden 2 housing association is installing a geothermal system combined with exhaust air heat pumps, heat exchangers, and accumulator tanks. This setup aims to achieve self-sufficiency in heating and cooling, resulting in significant energy savings for residents. Lightweb
Through these multifaceted and sustainable approaches, Hammarby Sjöstad exemplifies innovative urban planning by effectively integrating renewable energy sources and advanced technologies to meet the heating and cooling needs of its residents.
Photo: Hans Kylberg from Stockholm Bagarmossen, Sweden
