Smart City Sweden South-East

Explore the South-East of Sweden!

Discover smart & sustainable solutions in the South-East region.

Photo: Ida Gyulai/Imagebank – Vallastaden

About the region

Smart City Sweden South-East is a region characterized by a strong industry and a high concentration of IT companies, as well as three universities. With a strong foundation in academia, business and the public sector, the region is well supported for advanced innovation.

Smart City Sweden South-East is one of few regions in Sweden that have companies that produces all kinds of alternative fossil-free fuels: ethanol, biogas and biodiesel. A success factor is the establishment of systems for collecting and treating different types of organic residual products. These systems enable the production of bioenergy, soil products and the return of nutrients to agriculture.

There is a well-developed system for digestion and production of biogas, as well as infrastructure for the distribution of gas. Since all local buses are driven on biogas, there is a high demand for biogas as a fuel.

Liquid biogas enables the distribution of biogas to sites with no production of biogas. Examples of locations with a high presence of know-how and technology are in these areas are the liquid biogas in Kalmar County and Linköping, the ethanol cluster in Norrköping and Linköping University; Sweden’s strongest research center for biogas, and the Biogas Research Center (BRC). BRC works to create a strong national competence base in industrial and social research and the development of biogas solutions. The emphasis is on process and technology development, supplemented by systems and social research.

The region is one of the few examples in the world where industrial symbiosis has been implemented on a large scale with renewable energy sources as a driving force. A strong cluster has been formed, with participants from different areas of recycling and waste management, where innovative solutions for different residual flows from one participant are used as a resource at another. This is Norrköping Eco-Industrial Park, where companies such as E.ON, Lantmännen Agroetanol and Svensk Biogas are operating in symbiosis.

In 2013, the city of Växjö launched a strategy to become Europe’s first modern wooden town. In 2015, the goal was that 25 % of all new houses built by the municipality would be built of wood. In 2020, this share well be increased to 50 %. A great example of a sustainable wooden housing area is Välle Bridges, which is one of Sweden’s largest districts of wooden houses. It is also a research project, where Linné University, the Wood Industry and the Forest corporate group Södra are collaborating.

Welcome to visit Smart City Sweden South-East to learn more and find sustainable city solutions!


Best practice in the region

Innovative Plant Shows How to Use Turbines and Hydrogen to Produce Zero-Emissions Energy

Innovative Plant Shows How to Use Turbines and Hydrogen to Produce Zero-Emissions Energy

The Zero Emission Hydrogen Turbine Centre aims to change the future of energy systems. A demonstration plant is conducting tests to show how hydrogen turbines, renewable-energy production and energy storage can work together to produce energy with zero greenhouse gas emissions, and help phase out coal from the power sector.

Logistics Cluster Serves as Model for Collaborating on Smart Sustainable Logistics

Logistics Cluster Serves as Model for Collaborating on Smart Sustainable Logistics

Logistics Cluster Östergötland is an arena and network for innovation and development in logistics solutions. It allows both businesses and municipalities to engage with a variety of challenges and new ideas for smarter and more sustainable logistics.

Smart city logistics for increased recycling

Smart city logistics for increased recycling

Increased recycling for a more resource efficient society implies needs for smart solutions for collecting and recycling materials. Several innovative solutions can be found in Östergötland.

Regions Taking the Lead in Fossil-Free Transport

Regions Taking the Lead in Fossil-Free Transport

The Swedish regions of Småland and Östergötland are pioneering solutions for fossil-free transport. The regions supply different types of biofuels and electric vehicles for private use , as well as for the transport of goods.

Smart Mobility Solutions in Östergötland

Smart Mobility Solutions in Östergötland

Smart mobility solutions are key to sustainable cities. The Swedish region of Östergötland has become a hot spot for a number of innovative solutions, such as city district design for sustainable transport, car and bike fleets, intelligent traffic safety systems and much more.

Ebbepark – a Testbed District for Sustainable Transformation

Ebbepark – a Testbed District for Sustainable Transformation

The city of Linköping has established Ebbepark as a district for sustainable transformation, inviting partners to develop solutions to progress towards a climate-neutral city.

Sustainable Housing and Construction Using Timber and Glass

Sustainable Housing and Construction Using Timber and Glass

Smart Housing Småland is an internationally leading innovation environment, developing smart and sustainable housing and construction solutions based on glass and timber.

Vallastaden – a Model for Sustainable Planning of Cities and Districts

Vallastaden – a Model for Sustainable Planning of Cities and Districts

Vallastaden is an unusual city district whose new model for planning and building has led to an urban environment centred around the residents. With its strong focus on social, ecological and economic sustainability, Vallastaden is an inspiring example for future urban development.

The Modern Wooden City – Wooden Buildings for a Smaller Carbon Footprint

The Modern Wooden City – Wooden Buildings for a Smaller Carbon Footprint

The municipality of Växjö is a prime example of Swedish timber construction, with at least 50% of new buildings being built from wood as of 2020. Visit Växjö to see how and why wood is the way to increased sustainability.

Industrial Symbiosis at Händelö Eco Industrial Park

Industrial Symbiosis at Händelö Eco Industrial Park

The small island of Händelö, which is part of the City of Norrköping in eastern Sweden, is home to a remarkable industrial symbiosis in which by-products from one company are used as input for neighbouring companies Everything at the site is based around using green energy.

Smart City Logistics Boosts Recycling

Smart City Logistics Boosts Recycling

Greater recycling for a more resource-efficient society requires smart solutions for collecting and recycling materials. The Swedish region of Östergötland is where you’ll find several innovations in this field.

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