Cities100: Stockholm - Large Biomass Plant Powers Fossil Fuel-Free Future

By using a large-scale biomass plant to power its district heating system, Stockholm is inching closer to its goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2050.

The Challenge

Stockholm aims to reduce per capita greenhouse emissions to 2.3 tons by 2020 and rely on 100% renewable energy by 2050. Powered by sustainably and locally sourced wood waste, prevalent in the region, the large CHP KVV8 will play a key role in growing and diversifying the city’s renewable energy system while reducing the global climate impact of the district heating system.

The Solution

Through its new combined heat and power plant, CHP KVV8, Stockholm is powering 90% of its district heating system with renewable energy. The biomass used to power the plant consists mostly of locally sourced forest residue and wood waste that has received Forest Stewardship Council certification. Flexible operations enable the plant to adjust the production of both heat and electricity to meet current demand, helping the city achieve energy efficiency gains. When fully operational in 2017, CHP KVV8 will provide 1,700 GWh of heat and 750 GWh of electricity annually, generating enough heat for 190,000 households. The large-scale plant contributes to Stockholm’s goals of reducing CO2 emissions, improving air quality, and ultimately becoming a fossil fuel-free city by 2050. Along with wind and solar power, the CHP KVV8 plant, managed by Fortum Värme, a joint venture between the city and the energy company Fortum, will form the backbone of the city’s renewably powered future.

Environmental Benefits – The plant will decrease greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to approximately 12% of the annual emissions from the Stockholm’s area transport sector.

Economic Benefits – This project will help secure and create jobs in sustainable forestry.

Health Benefits – CHP KVV8 reduces the use of fossil fuels and will reduce emissions of NOx and particulates in the area, which will help mitigate the incidence of related respiratory disease.

About Cities100

In its second year, Cities100 – presented by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Sustainia and Realdania – showcases leading solutions to urban climate challenges in ten sectors, ranging from solid waste management to transportation. For the first time, this year’s publication features solutions that address the nexus of climate change and social equity.

Available online and in print, Cities100 provides stakeholders an accessible format to explore achievable solutions for climate action in cities, and will be a useful tool for relevant groups ranging from impact investors and development organizations, to mayors and city governments.  You can access the full Cities100 2016 publication online here and read more about how may­ors will de­liver the aims of the Paris Agree­ment in a fore­ward by Anne Hidalgo, C40 Chair and Mayor of Paris, here.