The SustainableSociety

The Island of Gotland- A centre for sustainable development in the Baltic Sea

E N E R G Y A N D E N V I R O N M E N T P R O J E C T S on Gotland

The Island of Gotland- A centre for S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T

In 1996 the municipality of

Gotland set a target that the

island should become a sus-

tainable society by 2025.

Sustainability will play a

growing part in our everyday

life not only on Gotland but

also across the globe, as more

and more governments, com-

munities and individuals realise

that we cannot continue drai-

ning the Earth of its natural

resources.

One of the requirements for

achieving a sustainable society

is to reduce our consumption

of natural resources to a level

that is compatible with the

Earth’s ability to regenerate

them - thereby ensuring the

availability of these resources

for future generations.

Using RENEWABLE ENERGY

sources such as solar, wind, bio-

mass, small-scale hydro and

geothermal power helps to

reduce society’s dependence on

finite and polluting energy

sources such as fossil fuels and

nuclear power.

The combination of rene-

wable energy with measures

that

increase the efficiency with

which we use our natural

resources is a central part of

Gotland’s strategy for realising

a sustainable society. Today

renewable energy accounts for

around 10% of the island’s

total energy supply, so we still

have a long way to go, but

plans are in place to increase

this to 100% within the next

25 years.

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VISBY

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BIOGAS

BIOGAS

HEMSE

ROMA

SLITE

IHRESMÖJEN

HAMRA

NÄS

KLINTE-HAMN

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Sustainable buildingAlmedalsbiblioteket

Visby.

District heatingVisby, Klintehamn,

Hemse, Slite.

Sustainable buildingHansahuset, Visby.

WindpowerBockstigen,

Näsudden, Smöjen.

Grötlingboudd, (planned)

Sustainable buildingSuderhälsan, Hamra.

Waste water treatment Roma.

Biogas installationLövsta, Roma.

Electricity generationfrom industrial

waste heat.Cementa, Slite

Sustainable buildingIhre Gård, Ihre

Small-scale hydropowerRabbishuppet

Ihre

Sustainable buildingMuramaris, Visby

RME, renewable fuelFilling Stations at

Lantmännen Visby,Hemse, Slite.

Cool know-howA new central library, Almedalsbiblioteket, Visby

Facts:• A sea-water based cooling system

is to be used instead of air-conditioning.

• A sea-water based heatpump will provide heat.

• 50m2 photovoltaic panels willproduce electricity to drive the pumps.

• Resource efficient and recyclable materials are given high priority.

• Large use of daylight will reduce energy needs for lighting.

• High performance glazing will give both passive solar gain and low energy loss.

• The project is due for completion by autumn 2001.

Project co-operation: The Municipality of GotlandGotland’s University College

Investment:13.5 million Euro

Further information:www.hgo.se

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A combined town-university libraryis being built adjacent to the attrac-tive city park at Almedalen inVisby. The Municipality andGotland’s University College planfor the building to be a flagshipexample of sustainable architectureand a visible demonstration of theirhigh environmental ambitions.Energy efficiency and the use ofrenewable energy resources featurestrongly in the building’s design. Toreduce the need for energy intensi-ve air-conditioning systems seawa-ter will be used for cooling the inte-rior spaces during the warmer mon-ths of the year. A sea-water based

heatpump will provide heat duringthe winter. The pumps are to bedriven by electricity generated byphotovoltaic cells mounted on thelibrary’s roof. The need for artificiallighting will be low, as daylight useis optimised by the building’sdesign. The building’s structure andventilation systems have been desig-ned so as to make the most of thestructure’s capacity for thermal sto-rage. High performance facadesystems will allow daylight penetra-tion while keeping in heat in thewinter months and providing sha-ding during the summer.

Seawater

Solarshading Daylight

2 Clean energy from a distanceBio-fuelled district heating in Visby

The World Heritage City ofVisby consists of many uniquebuildings and mediaeval ruinsthat are built from limestone.These structures are particularlysensitive to air pollution - causedto a large extent by the emissionsfrom oil-fired heating boilers.Due in part to a desire to protect

these valuable buildings fromfurther decay a district heatingsystem has been in operation inVisby for the last twenty years.Around 95% of the energy sup-plied to the district-heatingnetwork comes from renewablesources. This cleaner and CO2

neutral energy comes in variousforms, the largest contributionbeing from wood chips - a by-product of local saw mills. Biogas from the town’s landfillsite and wastewater treatmentplant is also used to produce heatfor the network. In addition tothis a 10MW heat pump is usedto extract ‘free’ heat from the sea.Altogether district-heatingcovers more than 75% of thecity’s heating needs- helping tokeep the air free from pollutionto the benefit of Visby’s inhabi-tants and their cultural heritage.

Facts:• The use of oil for heating has

been reduced by 75% since 1980.

• Sulphur discharge from oil burning furnaces has been reduced by 95% since 1980.

• Emissions of CO2, sulphur andnitrous oxides have been reduced.

• District heating networks alsosupply the towns of Hemse, Slite, and Klintehamn.

Renewable energy sourcesused in the district heatingsystems on Gotland:• Bark, wood-chips, demolition

wood and shavings from sawmills are burned in modern furnaces.

• A sea-water based heat pump with

a 10 MW capacity.• Industrial waste heat.• Biogas from landfill.• Biogas from the sewage

treatment plant in Visby.

Co-operation: Gotland’s local energy company,The Municipality of GotlandGotlandsflis ABVattenfall AB

Further information:www.gotland.se/EKOKOMwww.gotlandsenergi.sewww.hallbarasverige.gov.se

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Fossil fuel Bio-energyBio-gas,HeatpumpElectricity

3 Building on new knowledgeHansahuset, Säveskolan, Visby

At Gotland’s largest high-school the pupils come awaywith something more than theusual qualifications - an envi-ronmental awareness.Hansahuset, a part of Säve col-lege in Visby, is an excellentexample of sustainable archi-tecture in practice. This en-vironmentally adapted buil-ding has been created withconsideration for the use of

natural resources. Ecologicallysound materials have beenused to a large extent. Solarenergy is used to provide hotwater for the washrooms.Separation toilets enable urineto be collected and used as fer-tiliser. Large amounts of day-light, generous ceiling heights,natural ventilation and theabsence of ventilation fansresult in a healthy, quiet andattractive indoor climate. Alltogether this provides thepupils with good conditionsfor succeeding with their stu-dies and a building which hasa low impact on the environ-ment.

Facts:• Low emission building materials.

are given high priority.• Materials have been chosen

to allow for future reuse and recycling.

• Natural ventilation is assisted by specially designed chimneys that adjust to the wind direction.

• Separation toilets are used(urine is collected for fertilising).

• 6m2 solar panels for providing hot water.

• The building is also connected to the district heating network.

Project co-operation: The Municipality of Gotland/FastighetskontoretVisby Arkitektgrupp AB

Further information:www.gotland.se/EKOKOMwww.visbyark.se

Clean energy is a breezeWind energy installations in the sea and on land.

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Gotland’s central position inthe Baltic provides the islanderswith a never-ending naturalresource - the wind. Wind powerhas been put to use on Gotlandfor many years and at one timeover 500 traditional windmillsprovided power for the island’scommunities. Considering theglobal environmental advantagesthat this clean energy source pro-vides windpower is destined tobecome an increasingly valuableresource in the future. Todaymore than 2000 households onGotland own shares in wind tur-bines through local wind energyco-operatives. Windpower is cur-rently responsible for around15% of the island’s total electrici-ty consumption. There areclusters of wind turbines, so cal-led wind farms or wind parks, atvarious locations around theisland. At Näsudden in south-west Gotland lies Sweden’s largestwindfarm. From there one canalso see Sweden´s first offshorewindfarm; Bockstigen 2.5MW.In northern Gotland there are

wind parks at Smöjen andStorugns.

Due to the shortage of sites onland there are plans to build morewind farms in the sea. The largestcurrently being planned is an80MW installation to be locatednear Grötlingboudd offGotland’s south-east coast. Aswell as large wind farms, singlewind turbines are used to provideelectricity for farms and factories.In Klintehamn, the companiesGotlandsflis and Lantmännenhave both installed 500 kW windturbines, which each producearound 1.1 GWh / year. Farmswith forward thinking ownerssuch as at Stafva gård and atRyftes in Fole have also investedin their own wind turbines anduse these to enhance their envi-ronmental profiles.

Facts: • At the beginning of 2000 there were

over 130 wind turbines installed on the island.

• Total energy production from windpower on Gotland is around 130 GWh / year.

• Electricity production by wind-power corresponds to around 15% of Gotland’s consumption.

• Näsudden wind farm consists of 80 windpower stations with an installed effect of c:a 40MW.

• Bockstigen consists of 5 x 500kW turbines specially adapted for offshore use.

• Smöjen wind park consists of 2 x 500kW, 4 x 660 kW and 4 x 1.5 MW turbines with a total effect of 9.64 MW.

• Storugns wind farm consists of 6 x 660 kW turbines with total effect of 3.96 MW.

Project Co-operation:Vindkompaniet ABSiral System Co AB Vattenfall ABGEAB

Further information:www.vindkompaniet.sewww.siral.sewww.windpowerphotos.com

5 Caring for body, soul and the environmentSuderhälsan, Hamra

Suderhälsan is a recreationalspa in the south of Gotlandthat has included ecology intheir vision of well being. Theowner’s are developing the spato be a spearheading exampleof sustainable enterprise. Oneof the ways they aim to achie-ve this is by using energy sole-ly from renewable energy sour-ces. A traditional windmillequipped with a 20kW genera-

tor, 35 m2 of solar panels, twogeothermal heat pumps, and awood-chip fired boiler alreadycontribute to meeting over

90% of the centre’s energyneeds. To further minimise theimpact on the environmentthe spa’s water treatment facili-ties have also received particu-lar attention. The water in thepools is purified every night inseparate filters with a powderof seashells and chlorine,which is then separated beforethe water is released into thepools again. The whirlpool ispurified in the same manner.The centre´s waste water ispurified and filtered out in agravel bed.

Facts:• 2 x 20 kW geothermal heatpumps. • 35m2 solar panels.• Rebuilt traditional windmill with a

20kW generator.• Wood-chip fuelled boiler provides

c:a 80 kW (maximum effect 120 kW).• Waste water is purified in a Finnish

Biocler plant.• Well water passes through double lime,

iron and ground soil filters.

Project co-operation:SuderhälsanGotland’s County AdministrationThe Municipality of GotlandCraftsmen from southern Gotland

Investment: 1.8 million Euro

Further information:www.suderhalsan.comwww.gotland.se/EKOKOM

windmillwith 20kW generator

Electricity

Woodchipboiler

Accumulator tank

Pools withindividual water filtration

Heat exchanger

Geothermalheatpumps

Solar panels

The principle of usingwaste water for irriga-tion is not new, onlyneglected for a num-ber of years. This met-hod is now being revi-talised on Gotland.The waste water iscollected in man-made pools where it iscontained for severalmonths, whereby anatural decomposi-tion of disease-genera-ting microorganismstakes place. Irrigationusing the purifiedwastewater allows thesoil to absorb the nut-rients contained in

the water leaving thesoil naturally fertile.By using this method,the soil is enrichedwith valuable nutri-ents that would other-wise pollute the islan-d’s lakes and water-ways. This methodalso has the addedadvantage in that byreducing the need forfertilisers it helps tominimise the eutrop-hication of the BalticSea.

6 Fertile fields when nature callsWastewater treatment using the Gotland model, Roma

Facts:• Today there are municipal

sites with waste water treatmentpools at Havdhem, Hemse, Roma,Stånga, Träkumla, and Väskinde.

• 5000 people in Gotland and a dairyhave their waste water purified usingthis method.

• 900 acres of land are irrigated withpurified waste water.

• Crops which are irrigated includewheat, sugar beet, rape and clover.

Project co-operation: The Municipality of Gotland Farmers on Gotland

Investment:Approximately 360,000 Euros for a 600 person installation.

Further information:www.gotland.se/EKOKOM

7 Ecology by the bookBiogas installation at The Agricultural College, Lövsta

Lövsta Gård houses anagricultural college that aimsto give its students the know-ledge necessary to develop far-ming and forestry in harmonywith nature. As part of theirprogramme to demonstratesustainable farming techniques the college is cur-rently developing its own bio-gas installation that will usefarm manure as a fuel source.The manure will be used toproduce methane gas that willprovide heating for the collegebuildings - thereby reducingthe need to use fuel oil. Anadded benefit is that throughthe biogas process the manurebecomes more homogenousresulting in more efficientnutrient utilisation when it issubsequently used as a fertili-ser. Lövsta College also hasplans to use wastewater pondsto purify the entire college´swastewater output and provi-de irrigation water accordingto the Gotland model.

Facts:• Methane produced

by the biogas installation will

replace 50 m3 fuel oil per year.• The use of commercial

fertiliser will be reduced from 95 tonne to 35 tonne.

Project co-operation: Lövsta Gård Agricultural CollegeThe Municipality of Gotland KTH

Further information:www.gotland.se/EKOKOMwww.hallbarasverige.gov.se

BIOGAS

Homogeniser

Fertiliser storage

Heater DigesterGas-boiler

‘‘Concrete’’ recyclingElectricity generation from industrial waste heatat Cementa, Slite

Cementa’s factory in Slite isone of northern Europe’slargest cement factories.The plant accounts foraround 25% of Gotland´stotal energy consumption.With the help of Vattenfall,the state owned electrici-ty company, an action hasbeen taken to reduce thefactory’s impact on theenvironment. An installa-tion to generate electricityusing steam created from

waste heat will be up andrunning during year 2000.Using this surplus produc-tion heat will provide anestimated 50GWh ofelectricity per year- a quar-ter of the factory’s energydemand. In addition to thisexcess waste heat is alsosupplied to nearby green-houses where it increasesproductivity and reducesthe need to use fossil fuel.

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CYKLON TOWER

CLINKER COOLER

Super Heater

Evaporator

Condenser

Sea water

Steam-turbine

Feed water pump

Evaporator

Economiser

Facts:• Estimated electricity

production: 50 GWh/yr• Current electrical -

consumption : 210 GWh/yr

Project co-operation:Cementa AB, SliteVattenfall AB

Investment: 8.5 million Euro

Further information:www.vattenfall.sewww.cementa.se

www.hallbarasverige.gov.se

9 Nature’s resources at workSmall-scale hydro-electric generation, ‘‘Rabbishuppet’’, Ihreån

Mankind has usedthe power of waterfor hundreds ofyears. As early as themiddle ages severalwatermills were inuse along the Ihreriver. The newhydro power stationat Ihre is today dri-ven by two turbinesdating back to theearly 1900´s. Withthe help of moderntechnology the tur-bines have beenrenovated and arealmost as efficient asnew ones. The turbi-ne house is itself awork of architecturewhere both form and

function combine toenhance the naturalsetting. The energyproduced is prima-rily used to provideheating and lightingfor a nearby green-house and anysurplus electricity issold to Gotland´slocal electricity com-pany. Rabbishuppet(bunnyhop), as thestation is called, isalso designed toreceive groups ofvisitors so that anyo-ne who is interestedcan see the turbinesin action.

Facts:• Rabbishuppet produces

c:a 100 MWh / year.• The large turbine has a

running-wheel diameter of 45 cm, receives 450 lwater / sec., gives 18 kWpower from the generator.

• The small turbine has a running wheel diameterof 28 cm, receives 250 lwater / sec., gives c:a 9 kW power from the generator.

• With both turbines inaction the station can be used with a water flow from 50 l / sec. to 700 l / sec.

Project co-operation: Claes- Göran Appelquist Claes-Henric Appelquist, (designer)

Further informationwww.gotland.se/EKOKOM

10 A house of the FutureA demonstration of straw bale building techniques, Ihre Gård

Could it be that the house of thefuture was already being built ahundred years ago? Building hous-es using bales of straw is a reliablemethod used in many areas of theworld. By using locally grown,environmentally friendly material,building houses becomes sustai-nable, economical, and whole-some. Straw is renewable, fast-growing, and thereby has lessimpact on the environment thanstandard building materials. Thisallows sustainable thinking to eveninclude the homes we build andlive in. At Ihre Gård north of Visbythere is a demonstration housebuilt using the straw bale techni-que which can be visited.

A larger staw bale housewith it´s energy supply fromsolar panels is to be builtduring summer 2000.

Facts:• Straw bales cast in reinforced

concrete form the foundationof the house.

• Bales are stacked on a frameof steel and wood.

• Walls are stuccoed inside and out.

• The roof is insulated with two layers of straw bales and covered with earth andgrass.

Project co-operation:Ihre Gård

Further information:www.ihregard.nuwww.gotland.se/EKOKOM

11 Facts:• The sewage installation is designed

for 200 visitors per day, all toilets areurine-separating.

• During periods of low use, anINDRÄN-installation is used to drainthe wastewater into the soil.

• Natural building materials are usedsuch as limestone, cement, and natural stone.

• Ekofiber is used for insulation.• Geothermal heating will eventually

account for the entire complex’s heating supply.

• Photovoltaic panels supply energy for the water fountains.

Project co-operation: MuramarisJansson & Landahl Arkitektkontor AB

Further information:www.muramaris.nuwww.gotland.se/EKOKOM

Renovation with consideration Demonstration of ecological buildings, Muramaris Art Centre, north of Visby

Muramaris has been a homefor artists since the early1900´s. The house - which isan artwork in itself- was origi-nally built as a summer homefor Professor Johnny Roosvaland his artist wife Ellen.Extensive renovation ofMuramaris has been takingplace since 1995. Ecological

building techniques havebeen applied wherever practi-cable in the renovation work,and also in new site develop-ments. The centre’s wastewa-ter is collected in a tank,where ultraviolet light is usedto kill disease-generating bac-teria. The treated water canthen be used as fertiliser in

the gardens and greenhouse.Geothermal heatpumps con-nected to boreholes will infuture provide heating for thecomplex with the help of aculvert system. A formerwood shed has been recon-structed according to naturalventilation principals andnow houses a café. The resto-

ration work is continuing instages and it will take a num-ber of years before the work iscompleted. The currentowner’s aim is to create adynamic centre for culturaland artistic activity that atsame time is a permanentexhibition of ecologicalliving.

12 Flower Power - Made in SwedenRME as a vehicle fuel

Raps Methyl Ester or RME is anorganic, renewable fuel producedfrom rapeseed oil - and made inSweden. The use of RME in vehiclesreduces the need to use fossil fuels;thereby decreasing the output of car-bon dioxide into the atmosphere andreducing the greenhouse-effect.Many modern diesel engines can useboth diesel oil and RME - either onits own or mixed with diesel. To set agood example and as part of it´s com-mitment to phasing out fossil fueluse, the local authority on Gotlandhas acquired around 60 vehicles thatcan be fuelled with RME. In Visby,Hemse and Slite there are now alsocommercial RME filling stations forpublic use. Other organisations onthe island which have chosen to useRME driven vehicles as part of theirenvironmental programmes includeSkogsvårdstyrelsen and the Hasselacollective. These organisations havetheir own pumps and stock their ownRME fuel.

Facts:• Cars fuelled with RME

have a fuel consumption of around 20 km / ltr.

• Many new diesel engines can run on RME.

• RME is available atLantmännens filling stations in Visby, Hemse, and Slite.

Project Co-operation:The Municipality of Gotland

LantmännenSkogsvårdsstyrelsenHassela collectiveBil City, Visby

Futher information:www.gotland.se/EKOKOM

This information was developed by Gotland's Energy Agency with thesupport of the Regional development unit, Municipality of Gotlandand EU structural funds Objective 5b Gotland.

For further information about the Ecology Project activities pleasecontact the Eco-group, tel +46 498 269212, fax +46 498 269211 orvisit our web site at:

www.gotland.se

Photo credits:Gunnar Britse, Anne Oresten, Keith Boxer, Åsa Andersson, Mark Ingelse,

Claes-Göran Appelquist, Per Gate, Suderhälsan, Geab