How can we build sustainable and resilient cities?

How can we create cities that are both sustainable and resource-efficient, whilst also being equipped to cope with increasing demands on energy systems, digital infrastructure and emergency preparedness? This was the focus when representatives from business, the public sector and the research community met at the ‘Energy Lunch’ in Almedalen. The discussion covered everything from smart systems and secure digital infrastructure to energy-efficient buildings – and what is needed to move from ambition to real change.

The seminar was organised by Örebro Municipality, Kumbro and the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre’s trade fairs Elfack and Clima Energy Nordic, with Anders Ekdahl acting as moderator. Find out more about some of the perspectives and conclusions from the discussion.

The Örebro Model: Smart Safe City

Peter Lilja, CEO of Kumbro [the environmental services company based in Örebro County], opened with the Smart Säker Stad initiative. He described it as bringing together efforts that had been under way across Örebro’s municipal organisations and the Kumbro group for many years, with a sharper focus on resilience as the international situation has changed. Lilja emphasised that the initiative is a joint undertaking involving municipal companies and departments, and that the aim is to encourage more municipalities to join and share their experience, rather than each having to reinvent the wheel. He extended an open invitation to others to get involved and pursue joint projects.

EnergyNet: the electricity grid built like the internet

Lilja’s opening remarks led into a discussion with Dr Marc A. Weiss, Chairman and CEO of Global Urban Development, and internet pioneer and entrepreneur Jonas Birgersson about EnergyNet – the concept of distributing electricity according to the logic of the internet, where no single point can bring the whole system down. They pointed out that European deregulation is now, for the first time in more than a hundred years, paving the way for the construction of new electricity infrastructure alongside the existing one. Birgersson compared the development curve for power electronics with that of the microprocessor: performance is increasing and prices are falling at a rate that traditional grid technology cannot begin to match. Örebro and the Tamarinden demonstration project were cited as examples that others will want to study in the future.

Customers playing an active role in the energy system

In the panel discussion that followed, Maria Ramstedt Presits, Senior Director of Large Customer Solutions at Ellevio, emphasised that the energy system must become more flexible and that customers can play an active role in this. She also pointed out that network operators are regulated and that regulation, contract forms and business models must be developed in order to realise this potential. She did not see a need for parallel networks, but rather significant opportunities to make better use of today’s networks by freeing up capacity, measuring, analysing and digitising.

From a single building to the whole city

Jonas Tannerstad, Head of Electricity and Automation at ÖBO, described how the company has moved from managing each building as an isolated unit to now managing and optimising large parts of ÖBO as a whole, where energy sharing provides both individual buildings and entire neighbourhoods with new capabilities. For him, the major project is not Tamarinden, but the city as a whole. He linked this to why the transition is proving slow elsewhere: many organisations optimise one project at a time, whilst ÖBO takes a broader, holistic view and therefore makes different decisions along the way.

Batteries with dual benefits – and a failure to learn from

Lisa Löfving, Head of Strategic Research and Business Development at RISE, spoke about a project in Grums where battery storage is being trialled for two purposes simultaneously: operational flexibility and crisis preparedness, as a replacement for fossil-fuelled backup generators. During a live test, the team were unable to get the facility up and running and feed power into the grid at the correct frequency. Löfving nevertheless called it a ‘fantastic failure’, as it pinpointed exactly where the problem lay. The conclusion she highlighted was that we must dare to test in real-world conditions in order to make progress. The project is a long-term endeavour.

Don’t be afraid to build in parallel

In closing, Birgersson raised the issue of what he calls ‘infrastructure overbuild’ and argued against the fear of parallel infrastructure. He drew a comparison with mobile networks: several competing networks, largely financed by private capital, had led to lower fixed prices, better business models, faster technological development and greater resilience. He also pointed out that the old fixed-line telephone network had effectively been phased out in less than 30 years.

The technology is there. We need to catch up

During the discussion, the panellists frequently returned to the point that, in many cases, the technology and knowledge are already available and cost-effective. What is lacking is the right mindset, policy and a change in behaviour. Energy efficiency is something we work on immediately, regardless of what else is being built. One example was highlighted from the property sector, where stakeholders are waiting for announcements on future regulations and clarification of existing rules rather than implementing measures that are already paying off. Several panellists emphasised that regulatory clarity is crucial if more people are to have the confidence to invest.

Do what you can now

The speakers largely agreed that what matters most is not the technology, but the willingness to prioritise, collaborate and establish clear rules. Peter Lilja reiterated his invitation to more local authorities to join Smart Säker Stad, and several called for the courage to take decisions and implement what is already possible.

Next step: Elfack 2027

The technology is there. Many of the solutions are in place. The question is how we scale them up and involve more people. We’ll be exploring this further at Elfack on 11–14 May 2027, where stakeholders from across the energy system will come together to share experiences, showcase solutions and discuss what is needed to move from individual initiatives to real change.