The transition towards an increasingly renewable, decentralized and intermittent powersystem pushes the traditionally passive grid owners towards a role as activedistribution system operators (DSOs). This new institutional role is not defined by onesingle EU legal act, but by a cumulative and layered regulatory architecture thatgradually expands what DSOs are expected to manage, plan and coordinate. Via athematic analysis of more than 70 legal acts, this article systematizes how the EU hasconstructed and institutionalized this new role.The analysis identifies three main roles for a DSO: (i) Network Supplier and Operator,(ii) Enabler of the Sustainable Transition, and (iii) Neutral Market Facilitator. Theseroles are expected to be supported by four capabilities within the DSO: (a) Informationand Data Management, (b) Long-term Grid Planning and Development, (c) DemandResponse and Flexibility, and (d) Compliance and Reporting. These roles andcapabilities are not separate functions, but mutually dependent dimensions of abroader transformation in which distribution grids become central to the operation,coordination, and legitimacy of the energy transition.This institutional change is challenged by the variety of national and technical contextsthroughout the EU. The article therefore concludes that future EU policies and nationalregulators should help in distinguishing between minimum compliance and advancedbest practice and improve context-dependent implementation pathways. Without suchdifferentiation, the expanding DSO role risks becoming a formal expectation withoutsufficient institutional capacity. With it, the DSO can become a decisive enabler of asecure, competitive, and sustainable European electricity system.

The transition from fossil jet fuel to biojet fuel is an important step towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aviation. To enable such a fuel shift, the Swedish Government introduced a GHG emission reduction mandate of 27% by 2030 for aviation fuel sold in Sweden, forcing fuel suppliers to blend in biojet fuel in fossil jet fuel. A similar policy instrument is being discussed within the EU. Biojet fuels with life cycle GHG emissions 90% lower than those for fossil jet fuel are projected to be available by 2025, which by far exceeds the requirement of 65% lower emissions in the EU Renewable Energy Directive. The purpose of this study was to carry out life cycle assessments for a number of wood-fuel-based production chains near commercialization and to determine whether they meet the Swedish projection and the EU requirement. The study illustrates what can be achieved in a region with high availability of wood fuels and access to heat and power with low GHG emissions. The production chains studied include the production of hydrocarbon intermediates via (i) fast pyrolysis, (ii) hydrothermal liquefaction, (iii) thermal gasification followed by Fischer–Tropsch-synthesis, and (iv) cellulosic ethanol fermentation followed by upgrading of these four intermediates to biojet fuel and other liquid biofuels. The results show that all the production chains studied can deliver biojet fuels with 89–91% lower GHG emissions than fossil jet fuels. Non-fossil hydrogen is required to achieve low emissions in the upgrading of intermediates from fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction.

This paper assesses the opportunities for resource- and energy-efficient biojet fuel production from forest-based biomass utilising existing industrial infrastructure in Sweden. Two categories of production pathways are considered: one including technologies that are certified for the production of biojet fuel, and the other uncertified technologies under development. Aspects included are production potential, regional balance between biomass feedstock and eligible host industries, potential demand and supply of biogas-based hydrogen for upgrading, economic incentives for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and future markets for the co-products generated. The overall conclusion is that energy integration through the use of combined heat and power plants, sawmills and pulp mills to produce biofuel intermediates leads to a lower net demand for biomass feedstock, which can be met by the long-term sustainable potential of forestry residues and sawdust. The regional balance between the long-term, sustainable availability of forestry residues and sawdust, and the demand at eligible host industries is good where over 80% of this demand can be met by regionally produced biomass feedstock. The biofuel intermediates can then be upgraded to biojet fuel in centralised refineries connected to the gas grid in the southwest of Sweden, and with current Swedish policy tools it is economically motivated to use biogas-based hydrogen. Co-product demand will not limit commercial development since the future markets are predicted to grow when replacing fossil counterparts. Thus, current policy tools that promote biojet fuel with low life-cycle GHG emissions provide important incentives for the commercial development of resource- and energy-efficient combined biojet fuel and biofuel production systems based on biomass residues and existing industrial infrastructure.

Material quality, and opportunities for multiple reprocessing, need to be considered when analysing the overall carbon footprint and energy efficiency of plastic products in life cycle assessments. This is rarely done today. This paper presents a case study evaluating a closed-loop recycling system involving a plastics manufacturer in Sweden which produces and reprocesses multiple-use plastic dining plates. The study involves (i) analysing the physical properties and food safety and (ii) assessing the life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of the closed-loop recycling system and three other conventional options. The results show certain deterioration in material quality of the plastic plates after six reprocessing cycles but maintained functionality and fulfilment of the food safety requirements. Furthermore, the results show that the life-cycle GHG emissions for the closed-loop recycling system correspond to 20–60% of those of the alternative systems. The primary energy use for the closed-loop recycling system amounts to 50–60% of that of two alternative systems, while it is higher compared to the system that involves one recycling loop followed by waste incineration with energy recovery. This study demonstrates the importance of taking material quality into account in life cycle assessments and confirms the GHG benefits of closed-loop systems.

Factors that affect and influence industrial symbiosis (IS) collaborations have been researched extensively in the literature, where they are mostly reported at a network level or for IS in general, and lack the individual actor's perspective. This review article contributes to and expands knowledge of influencing factors and their effect on the individual actor. In a systematic review, guided by the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study reviews 53 scientific papers examining planned or existing IS networks. It examines literature from 1 January 2000 to 28 March 2022, and it identifies drivers, barriers, and enablers influencing actors to participate in IS. It explores whether and how the perception and impact of these factors differs depending on the characteristics of individual actors and their specific context. The main findings of this study reveal that an actor's specific characteristics and the network's context have a significant impact on decision making and how actors both perceive and are affected by factors influencing collaboration. Furthermore, an additional novel contribution to this field of research is that the study identifies three underlying and recurring considerations that actors appear to find critical, namely, perceived business opportunities/risks, regulatory and political setting, and potential inequalities in the network. The results show that an actor's take on these critical considerations determines whether the actor is willing to engage in IS.

The plastic industry is dependent on fossil fuels in various ways that result in strong "carbon lock-in "throughout the value chain and large and growing CO2 emissions. The industry must decarbonize to reach global net-zero pledges. Although a few initiatives have been launched, they primarily focus on plastic waste. Current research has investigated mitigation potential on different parts of the plastic value chain but remains in silos. Here, we review carbon lock-ins throughout the plastic value chain and identify possible mitigation pathways for each stage of the plastic life cycle. We show how lock-ins are stubbornly entrenched across the domains of production, markets, waste management, industry organization, and governance. Overcoming these carbon lock-ins and achieving zero-carbon targets for the sector by 2050 will require thorough systemic change to how plastics are produced, used, and recycled, including promotion of demand reduction strategies, bio-based feedstocks, and circular economy principles. Strict governance structures, enforceable regulation, and a new proactive and inclusive vision for the low-carbon transition are equally important.

Replacing fossil jet fuel with biojet fuel is an important step towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aviation. To this end, Sweden has adopted a GHG mandate on jet fuel, complementing those on petrol and diesel. The GHG mandate on jet fuel requires a gradual reduction in the fuel’s GHG emissions to up to 27% by 2030. This paper estimates the potential production of biojet fuel in Sweden for six integrated production pathways and analyzes what they entail with regard to net biomass input and the amount of hydrogen required for upgrading to fuel quality. Integrated production of biofuel intermediates from forestry residues and by-products at combined heat and power plants as well as at the forest industry, followed by upgrading to biojet fuel and other transportation fuels at a petroleum refinery, was assumed in all the pathways. The potential output of bio-based transportation fuels was estimated to 90 PJ/y, including 22 PJ/y of biojet fuel. The results indicate that it will be possible to meet the Swedish GHG mandate for jet fuel for 2030, although it will be difficult to simultaneously achieve the GHG mandates for road transportation fuels. This highlights the importance of pursuing complementary strategies for bio-based fuels.

The target of zero emissions sets a new standard for industry and industrial policy. Industrial policy in the twenty-first century must aim to achieve zero emissions in the energy and emissions intensive industries. Sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals have so far largely been sheltered from the effects of climate policy. A major shift is needed, from contemporary industrial policy that mainly protects industry to policy strategies that transform the industry. For this purpose, we draw on a wide range of literatures including engineering, economics, policy, governance, and innovation studies to propose a comprehensive industrial policy framework. The policy framework relies on six pillars: directionality, knowledge creation and innovation, creating and reshaping markets, building capacity for governance and change, international coherence, and sensitivity to socio-economic implications of phase-outs. Complementary solutions relying on technological, organizational, and behavioural change must be pursued in parallel and throughout whole value chains. Current policy is limited to supporting mainly some options, e.g. energy efficiency and recycling, with some regions also adopting carbon pricing, although most often exempting the energy and emissions intensive industries. An extended range of options, such as demand management, materials efficiency, and electrification, must also be pursued to reach zero emissions. New policy research and evaluation approaches are needed to support and assess progress as these industries have hitherto largely been overlooked in domestic climate policy as well as international negotiations. Key policy insights Energy and emission intensive industries can no longer be complacent about the necessity of zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Zero emissions require profound technology and organizational changes across whole material value chains, from primary production to reduced demand, recycling and end-of-life of metals, cement, plastics, and other materials. New climate and industrial policies are necessary to transform basic materials industries, which are so far relatively sheltered from climate mitigation. It is important to complement technology R&D with the reshaping of markets and strengthened governance capacities in this emerging policy domain. Industrial transformation can be expected to take centre stage in future international climate policy and negotiations.

DEBATT. Svensk industri tar flera lovande initiativ, men omstallningen gar alldeles for langsamt – och i vissa branscher marks den knappt alls, skriver sju miljoforskare.

The main challenge for future electricity systems is to match the available electricity from variable renewable resources with the electricity demand in place, time and quantity. One option for increasing electricity system flexibility is to integrate the electricity system with the district heating systems via the use of power-to-heat technologies such as electric boilers. The overarching objective of this paper is to increase the understanding of what role power-to-heat could have in Sweden and to contribute to the development of methods and tools that can be applied when analysing the potential of power-to-heat. For that purpose we estimate the technical potential of power-to-heat for different power scenarios and assumptions and identify key parameters which have significant impact on the potential. The calculations are based on hourly simulations of electricity production, electricity consumption and district heat load. The power-to-heat potential was estimated to 0.2-8.6 TWh, where the potentials at the higher end pertain to scenarios with high amounts of wind and solar power production (corresponding to 54-64% of electricity consumption). Access to thermal storage increases the potential of power-to-heat while the use of industrial waste heat and heat from waste incineration in the district heat load reduces the potential, (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

District heating satisfies about 60% of the heat demand in Swedish buildings. Today, more than two thirds of the heat supply to the district heating systems is based on biomass and waste, and biomass alone accounts for about half of the heat supply. The purpose of this paper is to present the Swedish experiences of introducing and expanding the use of biomass in the district heating systems and to identify the main drivers behind this development. Our five research questions and the corresponding conclusions consider the driving forces from energy policy tools and local initiatives, the biomass prices, the established infrastructures in forestry and district heating, the technology paths for biomass conversion, and finally the future challenge of competing uses of biomass.

More than two thirds of the heat supply to the Swedish district heating systems is nowadays based on biomass and waste resources. These district heating systems provide heat to cover more than half of the heat demands in the Swedish building stock. This paper reveals the development from the original use of fossil fuels in the late 1970s, the introduction of biomass as fuel in the early 1980s, the transition to considerable more renewables during the 1990s, and to the current situation when biomass dominates the heat supply. Our four conclusions consider the established infrastructure in both forestry and district heating, driving forces from energy policy tools and local initiatives, the contradiction between primary energy use of biomass and traditional heat recovery, and finally the future challenge of competitive use of biomass.

De beslut vi tar idag och i framtiden avgor om varlden gar mot en tvagraders- eller en fyragradersvarld, eller nagonting dar emellan. Vertikal samverkan mellan politiska nivaer och horisontell samverkan mellan sektorer ar viktig for att mojliggora kostnadseffektiva ambitiosa utslappsminskningar och atgarder for klimatanpassning i Skane. Arbetet med Klimatsamverkan Skane och Strukturbild for Skane ar ett bra forsta steg, men kan fordjupas och utvecklas. Koordinering med andra samverkansinsatser kan bidra ytterligare till framgangsrikt arbete. Regionens samverkan med naringslivet ar relativt val utvecklad, men kan forstarkas ytterligare, sarskilt vad galler klimatanpassning. Medborgarna kan involveras mer i arbetet med utslappsminskningar och klimatanpassning. Beslutsprocesser som ar transparenta, som formar inkludera flera olika perspektiv och som mojliggor larande over tid ar till gagn for klimatarbetet lokalt och regionalt. (Less)

District heating (DH) systems may contribute to reducing the use of fossil fuels for heating purposes since they enable the use of waste heat and facilitate the use of renewable energy sources. This paper focuses on the transformation of the Swedish DH systems with regard to energy supply in 1960-2011. Swedish DH production was completely dependent on oil until the late 1970s, while today it is dominated by biomass and other renewable energy sources. The objectives of this paper are to describe and explain the fuel transition in the context of the main events that have characterised the development of the Swedish DH sector. For this purpose, we employ theories and approaches grounded in the literature on systems of innovations, especially the Multi-Level Perspective. The study shows that the transition involved a series of steps. Initiated by the oil crises in the 1970s the oil-based regime collapsed rapidly, while the growth of the biomass-based regime was a steered process governed by actors and supported only by external events. The lessons learned from the transition towards low-carbon and more sustainable DH systems in Sweden could be useful in the challenging task of steering future energy transitions in other countries and sectors.

District heating (DH) systems may contribute to reducing the use of fossil fuels for heating purposes since they enable the use of waste heat and facilitate the use of renewable energy sources. This paper focuses on the transformation of the Swedish DH systems with regard to energy supply in 1960–2011. Swedish DH production was completely dependent on oil until the late 1970s, while today it is dominated by biomass and other renewable energy sources. The objectives of this paper are to describe and explain the fuel transition in the context of the main events that have characterized the development of the Swedish DH sector. For this purpose, we employ theories and approaches grounded in the literature on systems of innovations, especially the Multi-Level Perspective. The study shows that the transition involved a series of steps. Initiated by the oil crises in the 1970s the oil-based regime collapsed rapidly, while the growth of the biomass-based regime was a steered process governed by actors and supported only by external events. The lessons learned from the transition towards low-carbon and more sustainable DH systems in Sweden could be useful in the challenging task of steering future energy transitions in other countries and sectors.