Pontus Friberg, Chairman of Pyrocell AB, and Kenneth Ahlström, Head of Environment and Energy at Kopparstaden AB are the winners of the 2023 Jan Häckner's Bioenergy Award. The award ceremony took place during the Swedish Bioenergy Association (Svebio) Annual General Meeting and seminar held in Stockholm, Sweden on April 26, 2023.
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The award, which is in the form of a scholarship in memory of Jan Häckner, is given in recognition of an individual that through his or her efforts in research, innovation, or business development, has promoted the increased use of bioenergy in a sustainable way.
This year the jury landed on a tie – as both individuals received the same score.
First-of-its-kind pyrolysis plant
Jointly owned by wood processing major Setra Group and oil refiner Preem AB, Pyrocell’s facility is located at the Setra Kastet sawmill in Gävle.
The company’s business concept is to produce bio-oil from sawdust supplied by Setra and supply this as a feedstock to Preem for co-processing at its refineries.
The pyrolysis oil is refined into renewable diesel- and gasoline at Preem’s refinery in Lysekil.
The jury motivation notes that “Pontus has not only initiated the Pyrocell project but has also acted as both a key player and team player in leading it. First by landing one of the largest investment grants awarded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in the Climate Step (Klimatklivet) program – SEK 117 million (≈ EUR 10.26 million). To then carry out the formidable challenge of international procurement and build a first-of-a-kind facility that reaches industrial production. Pontus has single-mindedly and tirelessly worked until the successful inauguration and commissioning of the facility, which can have many followers. Pontus’s project leadership style and personal participation in the project work are pleasant, uplifting, and fun. Pontus creates a positive and result-oriented atmosphere and is happy to share new knowledge and responsibilities, which provides an important role model for younger generations.”
Alleviating the grid with a local heating network
In Sundborn, Kopparstaden AB, the municipally-owned housing company recently completed a pellet-fired local heating network that has replaced old inefficient heat pumps, and the very last oil-fired boiler, a backup boiler, that the company had in its fleet.
A 700 m network connecting both new rental apartments, a school, and private housing became operational in 2022.
The jury motivation notes that “through the project, power needs and electricity use are reduced, while Kopparstaden shows that bio-based district heating is competitive in smaller towns. Electricity demand is reduced from 400 000 kWh per year to 9 000 kWh per year. The investment cost is approximately the same as for new heat pumps, but the choice of bio-based district heating provides a more predictable operating economy and reliable heat supply.”
Furthermore, Kenneth Ahlström, Environment and Energy Manager at Kopparstaden “is rewarded as an idea giver, initiator, and passionate enthusiast, all prerequisites for implementing the project.”
