Wsp future cities sustain mag_march_april2013
1
[30] sustain’ MAR/APR 2013 sustain’ MAR/APR 2013 [31] What city is not faced with one or many of the following problems: of improving its transport system and the mobility of its citizens; of building a smart energy system that is low carbon and resilient to future energy supplies, of designing water, sewerage and flood-defence systems? All of this needs to be done whilst keeping a city functioning, maintaining its ability to attract investment, people and resources – and continuing to be competitive against both local and international cities. Attracting investment and ensuring there is the capacity with the right skills within the supply chain are part of a list of challenges that are familiar to many of us working in the built environment. Key though to all this is having an understanding of the inter-dependencies within city infrastructure. In general, many cities are struggling to map this. If this can be understood the problem of transforming existing cities or designing new cities turns into more of an opportunity to create co-benefits. In this article we will attempt to explain this, focussing on the provision of smart energy systems and sharing some of the latest thinking being applied to the development of “low-carbon cities” in Sweden. Demand for energy in cities As urban populations increase and become more prosperous, the demand for energy in cities, in particular for electrical power and heat, is increasing. Add into the mix the social inequality that exists in cities, especially temperate cities, that leaves some of the population unable to pay for vital heating during cold months, and you can see why future energy demand and provision is on the radar of many city mayors and managers. Despite Sweden’s comparative riches, both natural resources and wealth, these issues occupy the minds of its city managers. Cities have the potential to take the lead in transforming the way we generate, manage and use energy and, indeed, many are already using sustainable energy systems. Scandinavian cities have been using district heating systems and combined heat and power generation for both industrial and residential use for many years. Depending on geographic location, wind, tidal and solar power are increasingly important sources of renewable energy for cities, while geothermal power is exploited in some regions to provide reliable, secure, low-cost power. So if secure, sustainable and affordable renewable energy supplies are crucial to the future success of cities how best should a city make the transition to a low-carbon, energy-efficient city? The examples cited in this article are part of a growing trend of Swedish cities that are redesigning their cities with energy-efficiency and low-carbon goals and targets, for example in the cities of Eskilstuna, Lindingo, Stigtuna and Umeå. With these cities and others, WSP has first-hand experience with direct involvement right from the start of Sweden’s drive for the sustainable development of its cities. Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm In recent times, the Swedish approach to more sustainable cities started in the district of Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm in the late 1980s and early 1990s when city officials were thinking about how best to regenerate land that had previously been earmarked to host the Olympic Games. The bid was lost but the challenge of what to do with the land remained. Broadly speaking, the over-arching objective was to “be twice as good as current building performance”. So double performance in transport, energy, recycling provision, water management, provision of amenity and green space and ICT. The mainly residential development has been completed and it has become a Mecca for many wanting to learn about sustainable European eco-districts. It is fair to say almost all goals were achieved. The exception was the energy goal which was not totally achieved, mainly because the deployment of the new technology took more time for market penetration and adoption. In hindsight this was partly due to the need for more awareness about the availability and practicality of using technology, such as new building control systems and components such as high- performance windows, and a smoother process for stakeholder involvement. Brunnshög district, Lund Lund’s new district Brunnshög will be the home to 10,000 residents and a commercial area that supports 15,000 workers. Lunds Energikoncernen, the local energy company, is designing a sustainable energy system for the area. The city’s energy goal is that the district should be a net exporter of renewable energy to adjacent districts by generating 150% of its own energy needs, and Lunds Energikoncernen is providing the sustainable energy solutions which are necessary to achieve this ambitious goal. To analyse how to best achieve the goal we looked at various different energy scenarios, assessed the feasibility of different energy supplies (among them waste heat from the new science centres European Spallation Source and MAX IV laboratory), and the deployment of smart grids to reduce demand of electricity. The first phase is due for completion by the end of 2013, and the whole development is expected to finish in 2030. H+ district, Helsingborg H+ is a district of Helsingborg which will have 10,000 residents and where local businesses will employ just under 12,000 people. Öresundskraft, Sweden’s fifth largest energy company, which for more than 100 years has supplied the region with light, power and heat, is attempting to create a sustainable energy system for the H+ district. The services it provides today include district heating, district cooling, natural gas and communication. The goals of the proposed H+ system are to be energy positive (here meaning to produce more energy within a boundary – in this case the city will take advantage of existing energy infrastructure – than is consumed), using a primary energy perspective, and to simultaneously be cost neutral and demonstrate best available practice. The challenge here is meeting all these goals at the same time, as being cost neutral when implementing best available practice, or being energy positive. Common themes but different approaches Common to all the examples is that the cities and the districts have set their own goals for energy and carbon reductions, although they describe their aims in very different terms, for example, ‘emit less than 1.5 tonnes of carbon per capita’, ‘become energy positive’, ‘produce 150% of energy needs’. The national and EU policies and targets for energy and carbon reductions have been useful, but the cities have decided their own, more ambitious, goals. The process for setting these goals has been inclusive, involving and engaging with a variety of key stakeholders in their delivery. For example with residents whose behaviours will need to change if demand-side actions are to be successful. But there are differences in approach. Both in Brunsshög and in H+ district it is the utilities that are driving the city to develop and support energy- efficiency and renewable-energy strategies, whereas in Stockholm it was the city officials. This can partly be explained by Stockholm being serviced by a private utility company, whereas in the other cities mentioned the utilities are municipality owned. The municipal-owned utilities can see the opportunity to be profitable in renewable energy whilst delivering a public benefit. For them it makes for better business to develop new business models, for example direct contracts with residents to guarantee indoor air comfort (a certain air temperature, and having political support with a vision and targets helps). Funding for the activities recommended in the strategy varies. Energy-demand actions in new houses requires investments by the developers, here whole lifecycle costing and a willingness to pay by the new house owner are important. Investments in energy production, distribution and smart grids are paid for mainly by the energy companies. As investments can be expensive it is in their interest to keep investments down, hence action on demand reduction are realised first, and are the first part of our critical pathway. Key lessons learnt From our experience of involvement in the above and many more cities in Sweden, we have drawn up seven key lessons. These might appear to be common sense and somewhat intuitive. There is nothing ground breaking or particularly staggering. But that in itself is worthy of note, the overarching lesson being that effort is required to make things happen. If you make the effort it is achievable. 1. Integrated services are necessary for sustainable development. If services are designed in isolation co-benefits are missed; 2. Involving important stakeholders as early as possible is key, as is establishing area-specific agreements, like carbon reductions, as engagement drives ownership, and that galvanizes efforts; 3. Build on existing knowledge, check what other cities have done before getting started; 4. An early analysis of potential conflicts of interest can help avoid a lot of problems. This includes understanding the governance of the city – who, in most cases, controls street lighting, sewage, power generation; 5. Sustainability certification schemes can help organise the work efficiently. BREEAM Communities is currently being adapted to work in a Swedish context (see pages 34-35 this issue), and where applied it is helping provide a framework before design and construction begins; 6. A sustainability coordinator makes a huge difference. Somebody who can keep track of all the different packages of work and make sure actions are done in the right order to deliver the maximum benefits in the most affordable way, so achieving integrated services; 7. Finally, and relating to need for good coordination and cooperation. The journey of delivering sustainable development is likened to a relay race, efficient handovers between phases are crucial hence the need for coordination. And cooperation is important as everybody pays for the transition. So there is a need to help each other to make it most cost effective! This helps narrow the gap between what works in business and what is required for society. For more information: www.wspgroup.com/ futurecities Dr Paul Toyne will be talking about low-carbon communities in Sweden during the ‘Delivering Sustainability in the City’ seminars at Ecobuild 2013 on Tuesday 5 March. www.ecobuild.co.uk/seminars/ Sweden’s future cities: energy efficient and low carbon Authors: Dr Paul Toyne, Global Sustainability Director and Director WSP Designing Future Cities and Agneta Persson, Director WSP Designing Future Cities, WSP Sweden. H+ © Schönherr Landscape/ ADEPT Architects Brunnshög district, Lund Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm
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Transcript of Wsp future cities sustain mag_march_april2013
[30] sustain’ MAR/APR 2013 sustain’ MAR/APR 2013 [31]
What city is not faced with one or many of the following problems: of improving its transport system and the mobility of its citizens; of building a smart energy system that is low carbon and resilient to future energy supplies, of designing water, sewerage and flood-defence systems? All of this needs to be done whilst keeping a city functioning, maintaining its ability to attract investment, people and resources – and continuing to be competitive against both local and international cities.
Attracting investment and ensuring there is the capacity with the right skills within the supply chain are part of a list of challenges that are familiar to many of us working in the built environment.
Key though to all this is having an understanding of the inter-dependencies within city infrastructure. In general, many cities are struggling to map this. If this can be understood the problem of transforming existing cities or designing new cities turns into more of an opportunity to create co-benefits. In this article we will attempt to explain this, focussing on the provision of smart energy systems and sharing some of the latest thinking being applied to the development of “low-carbon cities” in Sweden.
Demand for energy in citiesAs urban populations increase and become more prosperous, the demand for energy in cities, in particular for electrical power and heat, is increasing. Add into the mix the social inequality that exists in cities, especially temperate cities, that leaves some of the population unable to pay for vital heating during cold months, and you can see why future energy demand and provision is on the radar of many city mayors and managers. Despite Sweden’s comparative riches, both natural resources and wealth, these issues occupy the minds of its city managers.
Cities have the potential to take the lead in transforming the way we generate, manage and use energy and, indeed, many are already using sustainable energy systems. Scandinavian cities have been using district heating systems and combined heat and power generation for both
industrial and residential use for many years. Depending on geographic location, wind, tidal and solar power are increasingly important sources of renewable energy for cities, while geothermal power is exploited in some regions to provide reliable, secure, low-cost power.
So if secure, sustainable and affordable renewable energy supplies are crucial to the future success of cities how best should a city make the transition to a low-carbon, energy-efficient city? The examples cited in this article are part of a growing trend of Swedish cities that are redesigning their cities with energy-efficiency and low-carbon goals and targets, for example in the cities of Eskilstuna, Lindingo, Stigtuna and Umeå. With these cities and others, WSP has first-hand experience with direct involvement right from the start of Sweden’s drive for the sustainable development of its cities.
Hammarby Sjöstad, StockholmIn recent times, the Swedish approach to more
sustainable cities started in the district of Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm in the late 1980s and early 1990s when city officials were thinking about how best to regenerate land that had previously been earmarked to host the Olympic Games. The bid was lost but the challenge of what to do with the land remained.
Broadly speaking, the over-arching objective was to “be twice as good as current building performance”. So double performance in transport, energy, recycling provision, water management, provision of amenity and green space and ICT.
The mainly residential development has been completed and it has become a Mecca for many wanting to learn about sustainable European eco-districts. It is fair to say almost all goals were achieved. The exception was the energy goal which was not totally achieved, mainly because the deployment of the new technology took more time for market penetration and adoption. In hindsight this was partly due to the need for more
awareness about the availability and practicality of using technology, such as new building control systems and components such as high-performance windows, and a smoother process for stakeholder involvement.
Brunnshög district, LundLund’s new district Brunnshög will be the home to 10,000 residents and a commercial area that supports 15,000 workers. Lunds Energikoncernen, the local energy company, is designing a sustainable energy system for the area. The city’s energy goal is that the district should be a net exporter of renewable energy to adjacent districts by generating 150% of its own energy needs, and Lunds Energikoncernen is providing the sustainable energy solutions which are necessary to achieve this ambitious goal. To analyse how to best achieve the goal we looked at various different energy scenarios, assessed the feasibility of different energy supplies (among them waste heat from the new science
centres European Spallation Source and MAX IV laboratory), and the deployment of smart grids to reduce demand of electricity.
The first phase is due for completion by the end of 2013, and the whole development is expected to finish in 2030.
H+ district, Helsingborg H+ is a district of Helsingborg which will have 10,000 residents and where local businesses will employ just under 12,000 people. Öresundskraft, Sweden’s fifth largest energy company, which for more than 100 years has supplied the region with light, power and heat, is attempting to create a sustainable energy system for the H+ district. The services it provides today include district heating, district cooling, natural gas and communication. The goals of the proposed H+ system are to be energy positive (here meaning to produce more energy within a boundary – in this case the city will take advantage of existing energy infrastructure – than is consumed), using a primary energy perspective, and to simultaneously be cost neutral and demonstrate best available practice. The challenge here is meeting all these goals at the same time, as being cost neutral when implementing best available practice, or being energy positive.
Common themes but different approachesCommon to all the examples is that the cities and the districts have set their own goals for energy and carbon reductions, although they describe their aims in very different terms, for example, ‘emit less than 1.5 tonnes of carbon per capita’, ‘become energy positive’, ‘produce 150% of energy needs’. The national and EU policies and targets for energy and carbon reductions have been useful, but the cities have decided their own, more ambitious, goals. The process for setting these goals has been inclusive, involving and engaging with a variety of key stakeholders in their delivery. For example with residents whose behaviours will need to change if demand-side actions are to be successful.
But there are differences in approach. Both in Brunsshög and in H+ district it is the utilities that are driving the city to develop and support energy-efficiency and renewable-energy strategies, whereas in Stockholm it was the city officials. This can partly be explained by Stockholm being serviced by a private utility company, whereas in the other cities mentioned the utilities are municipality owned. The municipal-owned utilities can see the opportunity to be profitable in renewable energy whilst delivering a public benefit. For them it makes for better business to develop new business models, for example direct contracts with residents to guarantee indoor air comfort (a certain air temperature, and having political support with a vision and targets helps).
Funding for the activities recommended in the strategy varies. Energy-demand actions in new houses requires investments by the developers,
here whole lifecycle costing and a willingness to pay by the new house owner are important. Investments in energy production, distribution and smart grids are paid for mainly by the energy companies. As investments can be expensive it is in their interest to keep investments down, hence action on demand reduction are realised first, and are the first part of our critical pathway.
Key lessons learntFrom our experience of involvement in the above and many more cities in Sweden, we have drawn up seven key lessons. These might appear to be common sense and somewhat intuitive. There is nothing ground breaking or particularly staggering. But that in itself is worthy of note, the overarching lesson being that effort is required to make things happen. If you make the effort it is achievable.1. Integrated services are necessary for sustainable development. If services are designed in isolation co-benefits are missed;2. Involving important stakeholders as early as possible is key, as is establishing area-specific agreements, like carbon reductions, as engagement drives ownership, and that galvanizes efforts;3. Build on existing knowledge, check what other cities have done before getting started;4. An early analysis of potential conflicts of interest can help avoid a lot of problems. This includes understanding the governance of the city – who, in most cases, controls street lighting, sewage, power generation;5. Sustainability certification schemes can help organise the work efficiently. BREEAM Communities is currently being adapted to work in a Swedish context (see pages 34-35 this issue), and where applied it is helping provide a framework before design and construction begins;6. A sustainability coordinator makes a huge difference. Somebody who can keep track of all the different packages of work and make sure actions are done in the right order to deliver the maximum benefits in the most affordable way, so achieving integrated services;7. Finally, and relating to need for good coordination and cooperation. The journey of delivering sustainable development is likened to a relay race, efficient handovers between phases are crucial hence the need for coordination. And cooperation is important as everybody pays for the transition. So there is a need to help each other to make it most cost effective! This helps narrow the gap between what works in business and what is required for society.For more information: www.wspgroup.com/futurecities
Dr Paul Toyne will be talking about low-carbon communities in Sweden during the ‘Delivering Sustainability in the City’ seminars at Ecobuild 2013 on Tuesday 5 March. www.ecobuild.co.uk/seminars/
Sweden’s futurecities: energy efficientand low carbonAuthors: Dr Paul Toyne, Global Sustainability Director and Director WSP Designing Future Cities and Agneta Persson, Director WSPDesigning Future Cities, WSP Sweden.
H+ © Schönherr Landscape/ ADEPT Architects
Brunnshög district, Lund
Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm
