Part 3/8:

Västerås operates a robust district heating system, which has been providing heat to its residents for decades. This system is an integral lifeline for a city where winter temperatures can plummet significantly, even reaching below -20 degrees Celsius. As one of the largest networks in Sweden, it connects homes to a vast network of pipes, with 98% of houses relying on it for warmth.

The heart of this network lies in a power plant that employs cogeneration, which simultaneously produces heat and electricity from a variety of sources, such as waste and renewable fuels. This innovative approach not only maximizes efficiency, utilizing up to 90% of the energy from the fuel, but also drastically reduces carbon emissions by minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.