From creative thoughtr for realistic handling
The key to a strategy that works is that we both set goals that we can reach for, while at the same time not trying to do more than we have the resources for. Collection 3 in energy strategy is about prioritising: what should we take with us further and what should we put aside.
A strategy does not make decisions for us, but is a knowledge-based basis, which helps us make decisions on individual matters, so that each decision, in the long run, contributes to a better region.
The challenge with good strategy processes is that many end up only as a report in a drawer. The reasons are many, but it is always sad when a lot of thought and working time has been put into creating a tool, which is not used further.
In a strategy report, we like to find a number of measures, recommendations and plans - which are good enough. What is often missing is that someone has ownership of the solutions, someone has thought through how the strategy is to be realised, what consequences it has for the local community and whether it is possible to finance what we want to achieve.
On 13 June we met for the penultimate meeting in energy strategy. The aim of the workshop was to go from a wide selection of ideas created in workshop 3 and from input during the public meeting - to concept sketches that show the potential of each solution. This makes it easier to prioritize what we should do in our region.
What is a concept sketch?
En Germ of ideas is described as a basic and often unfinished thought or inspiration, while a concepts is a more detailed and structured plan that develops the idea further into a feasible project.
The concept sketching tool is inspired by Alexander Osterwalders: business model canvas, a simple worksheet but intended to structure a business model, so that it is easy to communicate. To define the potential of each concept, we have taken these points as a starting point:
- User needs: Who is the target group for the concept and what are their needs?
- Value proposition: What do we offer, and what value does it create?
- Social benefit: What can the concept contribute to in the local environment?
- Financing and earnings: How will the solution be financially sustainable?
- Strategic partnerships: Which players, with which expertise, does this concept need?
- Realization: What are the next important steps to realize the concept?
Ideas safari - how to get to know 59 budding ideas
So how have we worked to prioritize which ideas will become concepts?
At the start of the day, the resource group had to familiarize themselves with the idea sprouts, by putting a mark on the ideas they themselves feel are important from the perspectives of sustainable energy (green), good municipal finances (blue) and support from residents (orange). With green, blue and orange stickers, a first overview emerged of which solutions the resource group believes can take us to the desired future.
Download the ideas as a pdf here
Timeline – what is realistic to start with?
In order to get an overview of which ideas deserve to become concepts, they should be sorted on a timeline. The purpose was to make it clear what is low-hanging fruit, which ideas can only be implemented if some that and to weed out those ideas that are too complex to be realised.
What we saw was that the participants saw potential in many of the ideas already from today, and the ideas that ended up a few years in the future were about immature technology.
From idea sprouts 10-ish concepts that can lead to action
Some ideas are strong enough to become a separate concept, while other ideas are puzzle pieces that together provide a better solution. Starting from the ideas that lay beyond the timeline, the participants selected idea sprouts and discussed their potential, and the next step to learn more about what is needed for the concept sketch to become a solution that adds value to the region. These are further processed in conversations with subject experts, here is a summary of the topics that were discussed:
Natural values
To take care of nature, we must first document its value. What will it take for municipalities to be able to make decisions that look after both nature, residents and industry's needs?
Concept: Common area strategy for the region
The first step must be to map the natural values we have in the region. With this as a data basis, it becomes easy to say no to the development of energy, roads, cabins or other infrastructure in vulnerable areas. At the same time, we move the incentives for development to areas that have already been developed, or have little natural value.
In the societal debate on energy, renewable energy versus nature is one of the most important questions that must be answered. Today, this is difficult, if not impossible, as we largely see and feel the natural values we have in the region. It doesn't work - we need to know!
Concept: From municipal boundaries to impact maps
A map where municipal boundaries have been erased and replaced with boundaries for noise and visual pollution in a given radius of potential development cases.
It is a concern that one municipality chooses to develop wind or solar power so close to a municipal boundary that the neighbor will suffer the same burden in the form of lost outdoor area, noise and sunset.
A fair distribution of the value creation from energy production is that the surplus is distributed according to stress on neighbors and the landscape in the immediate vicinity, regardless of municipal boundaries.
Sensible consumption
What is needed to reduce energy consumption, produce and store energy locally? What is the potential in this? And what is the municipality's role here?
Concept: Energy mapping for most people
What do we actually use the most electricity for? Which measures cost the least and provide the greatest benefit? Who can I trust before making an investment?
What if we offer energy advice for most people? A neutral adviser who knows electricity and has a good overview of new technology, solutions and support schemes.
Based on your building, he can give concrete advice on the simplest measures for you, what pays off today and what can bring benefits in the long term.
Concept: Mini processes for mini production
Even for small installations – mini-power plants on their own property, it must be easy to find information and simple bureaucratic processes.
The initial investment and bureaucracy are two major obstacles to more people being able to get solutions that help reduce electricity consumption. Whether it is additional insulation, replacement of windows or doors - for solar cells on the roof or geothermal energy for heating, it is difficult to know what you need to apply for, how big a facility you can have and where you can get support for financing.
We can collect information and help at Kongsvingerregionen.no, and simplify processes that help reduce electricity consumption in households, on farms and in industry.
Concept: Pig driving on biogas?
We have enough biomass in the region in the form of food waste, animal dung, raw material from industry and sewage sludge to operate 3 biogas plants, which corresponds to a production of around 100GWh.
But political will is needed, today it is difficult to get profitability in biogas plants. In Sweden and Denmark, the facilities receive public support for both investment to build, but also operation. We don't do that in Norway.
In Europe, small biogas plants connected to one or more farms located close to each other have become more common. Farmers with biological residual raw materials such as expensive dung, logging and food waste, and use this in biogas plants in the immediate vicinity. The circle can be closed by the farmers themselves being able to use biodiesel.
The question is whether new technology, variations in electricity prices, demand, sustainability goals and political will provide a sustainable business model?
Concept: Symbiosis Park
In an industrial symbiosis, one company's surplus energy and residual waste become another's resource.
Industrial symbiosis starts with creating awareness of the potential of such a form of cooperation and symbiotic exchanges with individual companies and the industry as a whole.
By building an identity, choosing good business models, establishing cooperation between all actors and laying down a joint strategy for an industry, we can create the world's best examples of cooperation for new growth.
Idea: Symbiosis facilitator visits business parks to map the potential for innovation and growth through better utilization of residual raw materials, surplus materials and energy.
Idea: Certification of areas, not just buildings! This can create greater incentives for cooperation, measurable results, make the area attractive for new industry and benefits in the form of favorable loans.
What about centralized energy production from wind, solar and nuclear power?
Larger facilities for energy production will be closely linked to the development of electricity grids, which is triggered by demand for more energy for what the grid company classifies as mature projects. As of today, this has a longer timeline, as the development of a central power grid usually takes 10 years from the start of construction.
There is no doubt that if we want more industry and growth in the region, we will eventually need to develop more energy, but what, where and how must be based on an objective data-based decision-making basis that takes into account natural values, natural risks, as well as the impact on people and health.
In the last meeting over the summer, we will look at a first draft of the strategy, and what potential for further development of the region it will trigger. By reducing consumption by residents, agriculture and industry, as well as upgrading and utilizing flexibility in the network - how far will we get? What opportunities are we possibly missing, and if so, is it okay?
The tentative date for the review of the strategic draft in an open meeting is set for 03 October 2024. More information about this will come over the summer.
