The ongoing switch towards more sustainable energy system is one of the most important challenges that society today isfacing. The energy system in Sweden is currently confronted with questions as for example unprecedented electricity prices driven bothby geopolitical constrains and supply constrains in the European energy system. Consumers have also experienced significant differencein price within the country, and existing bottlenecks have resulted in substantial income transfer from the consumers to the transmissionsystem operator. This situation is mainly based on the fact that most of the production of electricity occurs in the north of Sweden, whilstthe demand is relatively higher in the south of the country. Sweden faces a delicate balance between increasing electricity demand andthe need for sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy systems. The energy system in Sweden needs to be resilient and at the same timemeet the upcoming significant increased demand of electricity. It is vital that all available energy sources are included in planning of thefuture energy system. Sweden has a higher use of electricity compared to other European countries, mainly due to historical low electricityprices. This means that there is a potential to reduce the use of electricity in Sweden, which needs to be considered to avoid risk to missthe potential of more efficient use of electricity. There are several studies that are analysing the most optimal mix of electricity production.The aim of this study is to give a review of current research studies dealing with the opportunities and challenges linked to the need fora future resilient Swedish energy system that meets both the today´s and futures need of electricity.

The complexity of the electricity system is increasing due to various transitions and events taking place within and outsideof the electricity market such as increased loads from distributed power supplies. The risk for various disturbances may increase withthese transitions and events, including non-electricity system related disturbances like climate change. There is an urgent need to improveresilience of the electricity system so that it can handle also low probability and high impact disturbances. The objective of this paper isto analyse seven resilience principles, originally developed for socio-ecological systems, and interpret them for the electricity system.Results from the analysis indicate that the resilience principles can be seen to represent different categories in the socio-technical systemthat is the electricity system. These categories are technology, learning, information, stakeholder, organisation, and governance. Theresilience principles enable a holistic view of the electricity system, and they can function as a support during the work to increaseresilience of the electricity system.

The European Commission has been recognized DH technology of essential importance to reach the sustainability. A flexibility in the fuel mix, and possibilities of industrial waste heat utilization, combined heat and power (CHP) production and energy recovery through waste incineration, are only some of the benefits which characterize DH technology.

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the possible business strategies which would enable for DH to have an important role towards future sustainable energy systems. The study includes a system approach where DH is seen as a part of an integrated system which consists of transport‑, industrial-, and electricity sectors as well.

Converting energy for running the industrial processes from fossil fuels and electricity to DH and delivering excess heat from industrial processes, would make the industry less dependent on fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based electricity, as well as increase energy efficiency and reduce production costs. Reducing the electricity use in the industry sector while at the same time increasing the CHP production in the local DH systems would (1) replace fossil-based electricity production with electricity in biomass- or waste-fueled CHP plants, and reduce the capacity requirements from the national electricity grid (i.e. it would reduce the pressure on the bottle necks in the grid). Furthermore, by operating their central controlled heat pumps and CHP plants depending on the intermittent electricity production variation the DH companies may enable an increased share of intermittent electricity production in the national electricity grid.

A sustainable building sector with a more energy-efficient and decarbonized building stock is important for mitigating climate change. This paper contributes to knowledge on how to increase energy efficiency investments by presenting a nationwide survey on the perception of barriers and drivers for energy efficiency among 216 professionals in the Swedish building sector. This study explores economic, behavioral, and organizational conditions and analyzes the conventional dependencies on (1) type of ownership and (2) size of the organization, but also adds analysis on (3) degree of urbanization, (4) climate zones and (5) profession. Together these dependencies enhance a custom design of policies and measures. The findings show that hidden costs and bounded rationality were prominent barriers due to problems to acquire and analyze information, which needs to be addressed. In addition to the economic driver to reduce cost, several behavioral and organizational drivers were emphasized. There were distinct economic differences depending on the type of ownership and size of the organizations. Well-developed organizational structures were important factors for energy efficiency, which policies and measures should address. Differences were seen between organizations operating in rural areas and more densely populated areas. An improved indoor climate was important in northern climate zones.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is important that the SDGs are integrated atboth national and municipal levels, and that the business sector is involved in this work. This paper analyses howwell the SDGs are integrated as well if there are any conflicting energy and climate targets among municipalities,energy utilities and housing companies in Sweden, and in relation to national and EU targets. The targets arecategorized as; climate impact, efficient energy use, and share of renewable resources. Three key indicators arein focus; timeline and level of targets, terminology, and system boundaries. The study focuses on the Linköpingand Norrköping region, which has 300,000 inhabitants and is located 150 km southwest of Stockholm, Sweden.By using directives, company annual reports and interviews, the companies’ decision-making processes andtargets have been mapped.The results identify differences in system boundaries and timelines as reasons to potential conflictsregarding climate targets. Ambitious targets at the municipal level are identified as a driving force, but with targetfulfilment two decades or more before national and EU targets. Regarding the category of efficient energy use,the level of targets and terminology differs. Lastly, regarding renewable resources, terminology and timelinediffer. Furthermore, it is concluded that the SDGs are not integrated to a large extent in the business sector orat a local level. Overall, this may create challenges in communication, collaboration and exchange of knowledgein order to succeed and achieve the SDGs. 

Lowering temperature levels of a district heating (DH) system may offer several advantages such as reduced distribution losses, increased efficiency of flue gas condensation equipment and increased electricity generation in combined heat and power plants. In a broader perspective this can result in more efficient use of natural resources as well as reduced climate impacting emissions. This study examines how decreased DH supply temperatures influence the power to heat ratio and thereby electricity production and fuel use in a combined heat and power plant. Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eqv.) emissions and primary energy use were calculated with three different marginal electricity perspectives. A regional DH system situated in mid Sweden was used as a case study and the energy system cost optimization modelling tool MODEST (Model for Optimization of Dynamic Energy Systems with Time Dependent Components and Boundary Conditions) was used. The results show that decreasing the DH supply temperature results in increased electricity production as well as increased fuel use within the system. Further, there is a significant difference in CO2-eqv. emissions and primary energy use for the studied marginal electricity perspectives.