New knowledge support focusing on flexibility in energy use

How can spatial planning respond to the rapid changes in the energy system? A new knowledge base is now available to provide guidance for those working in the fields of spatial planning, energy and sustainable development.

"Knowledge base - Flexibility" has been developed within the framework of the Fyrbodal project for future flexibility, and highlights how planning processes can be adapted to an energy system where both production and consumption are becoming increasingly variable.

- To cope with electrification and at the same time create a sustainable society, energy issues need to be included earlier and more clearly in the planning processes," says Maria Aronsson, project manager at West Sweden Energy Agency, part of Innovatum Science Park.

Flexibility becomes a key issue in planning

Sweden's energy system is undergoing rapid change. Demand for electricity is rising sharply, while new technologies - such as storage, load management and aggregators - are changing the way electricity is produced, distributed and used. This places new demands on actors such as municipalities, energy companies and planners at both local and regional levels.

The new knowledge base highlights the importance of flexibility - that production and consumption of electricity can adapt to each other for the best common benefit. By integrating these perspectives into urban planning, more robust and future-proof solutions can be created.

Support for municipalities and planners

It is aimed in particular at urban planners and other actors in municipal and regional planning. The idea is that it will provide tools and insights to be able to:

• Adapting infrastructure and plans to new needs
• Collaborating across sectors to create holistic solutions
• Understand how new actors and technologies affect planning conditions

The aim is to strengthen the capacity of municipalities and regions to contribute to a sustainable and competitive energy system - with people's needs and society's goals in focus.

Read more about the project here: Fyrbodal for the future of flex