Sustainable utility supply in Aalborg

Transcription

1 Sustainable utility supply in Aalborg 1

2 Sustainable utility supply in Aalborg Number printed: 2 Paper: Profi silk 115 gr. Cover: Profi silk 2 gr. Swanlabel paper Publisher: City of Aalborg, The Public Utility Companies February 24

3 Table of contents 1. Sustainable utility supply in Aalborg - Summary Society in growth National goals and instruments for energy Energy in the Municipality of Aalborg The Public Utility Companies supply of energy in Aalborg The District Heating Utility Company The Electric Utility Company AKE Net The Gas Utility Company National goals and instruments for water and waste water Water and waste water in the Municipality of Aalborg The Water Utility Company The Sewage Utility Company National goals and instruments for waste Waste in the Municipality of Aalborg The Refuse Collection Utility Company

4 4 Steam train safeguards drinking water. The railway from the centre of Aalborg to the East Harbour runs close by vulnerable groundwater sources, from which drinking water to most of Aalborg is recovered. In order to prevent the risk of pesticides and herbicides seeping into the groundwater, the track is kept free of weeds exclusively by means of steam. The steam is blown down onto the railway track from an old train to which special equipment has been fitted. Six runs with steam during the course of the summer are sufficient to keep the weeds under control. Photo: Baghuset/Ajs Smed Nielsen

5 Sustainable utility supply - global and local Public utility supply is about how households and businesses receive energy and water, and how waste water and solid waste are disposed of and treated. Utility supply plays a decisive role in terms of the environment. The world s population continues to grow, and the resulting increase in human needs and activities, including the supply of utility services, in many respects poses a threat to the environment, both locally and globally. A discharge of untreated effluent can have disastrous consequences for the ecosystem in an individual watercourse, whereas the continued increase in the emission of greenhouse gases can have serious consequences for the climate on a global scale. Through the UN and the EU, Denmark has signed a number of international conventions and protocols aimed at safeguarding a sustainable development of the global environment. A sustainable development is a development that satisfies current demands without jeopardising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. These conventions and protocols cover the following areas of utility supply: energy water/waste water waste The Public Utility Companies alderman, Mariann Nørgaard. The Danish government has drawn up a number of plans that supplement the international conventions with specific national goals. These include climate strategy, plans for the aquatic environment and waste strategy. Locally, the City Council in Aalborg has drawn up a number of plans, the purpose of which is to ensure that the goals in the international and national agreements are met and preferably exceeded. The fundamental step was taken with the Brundtland Plan in As a follow-up to the Brundtland Plan, a specification of the total energy consumption in the municipality was drawn up in 22 in the form of an energy balance for the total energy consumption excluding transport. The principles for sustainability are continuously being integrated into the plans concerning heat supply, water supply, waste water and solid waste for the entire municipality, as well as into the strategic plans for each of the municipal Public Utility Companies. It is the responsibility of the Public Utility Companies, as the administrative body on behalf of the local authority in Aalborg, to ensure that these plans are realised. The Public Utility Companies also have operating responsibility for the vast majority of public utility supply in Aalborg with respect to energy, water/ waste water and solid waste. Ensuring a sustainable utility supply in Aalborg is a crucial task for the Public Utility Companies. Between them they supply 86% of the total net energy consumption to customers in the Municipality of Aalborg, excluding Aalborg Portland and excluding transport. We therefore consider it a logical development to follow up on the Brundtland Plan and take stock of what we have achieved and what we can hope to achieve in the years ahead. 5

6 1. Sustainable utility supply in Aalborg - Summary Aalborg is making good progress towards a sustainable utility supply, having achieved major results in terms of the international and national goals that have been set up in this area. In terms of energy, there is every indication that the Municipality of Aalborg can achieve the national goal of reducing the total CO 2 emission by 21% in 212 in relation to the 199 level. Assuming 1.1 Emission of CO 2 in the Municipality of Aalborg Mill. tonnes CO that the transport sector s CO 2 emission continues to grow as it has hitherto, the utility supply sector s CO 2 emission will have to be reduced by approx. 33%. In 199 the CO 2 emission in the municipality was.9 million tonnes, excluding Aalborg Portland and excluding transport. In order to achieve the target of 33%, emission in 212 must be reduced to.6 million tonnes. The Public Emission of CO 2 in the Municipality of Aalborg, excl. transport and excl. Aalborg Portland, in 199 and 22, and the target for 212. (Source: Energy Balance for the Municipality of Aalborg). Utility Companies expect that this can be achieved by means of a number of initiatives, including: increased utilisation of surplus heat from Aalborg Portland and Reno-Nord for district heating greater efficiency of the Public Utility Companies plants and operations more comprehensive consultancy services offered to householders and businesses increased use of renewable energy in the electricity supply savings in industrial processing energy consumption continued conversion from oil burners to district heating, natural gas, straw and wood. An important precondition is that the surplus heat used for district heating is considered to be CO 2 -neutral, which is in accordance with accepted principles. The emission of CO 2 from Aalborg Portland and Reno-Nord is therefore not included in the District Heating Utility Company s CO 2 calculations. In terms of water resources, the local authority in Aalborg is an international leader with regard to the active protection of groundwater. In cooperation with the private waterworks, Aalborg is as 6

7 For the sake of our children. A sustainable development is a development that satisfies current demands without jeopardising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. Photo: Aalborg Tourist & Convention Bureau one of only a handful of municipalities in Denmark in the process of safeguarding the future supply of drinking water by protecting the groundwater in particular catchment areas. This is taking place by means of afforestation and restrictions on land use in these protected areas. Drastrup is the first protection area. The first tests carried out here - of nitrate content in the water at a depth of one metre have demonstrated that protection is effective. Next year a large area near Visse is expected to be designated for groundwater protection, and more areas will follow in due course. As a result, Aalborg is expected to continue to have a supply of clean drinking water in the form of untreated groundwater. In terms of waste water, the centralisation of sewage treatment at two major treatment plants in Aalborg has proved to be of enormous benefit since these large sewage treatment plants are much more efficient than small sewage treatment plants. The four remaining small plants in the municipality are due to be taken out of service during the course of the next three years. The discharge of organic material and nutrient salts into the Limfjord and watercourses has been reduced dramatically as a result of improved sewage treatment and the ongoing renovation of the sewer network. The Municipality of Aalborg is fully in line with the national goals set out in the Danish government s Waste Strategy Plan. In brief, the Waste Strategy Plan aims at increasing the proportion of waste used in recycling and reducing the proportion that is deposited at landfill sites, in addition to utilising the remaining waste combustible waste in the production of heat and power. In 22, 72% of Aalborg s waste was recycled, 19% was incinerated and 9% was deposited at landfill sites. The corresponding national targets for 24 are 64, 24 and 12% respectively. 7

8 2. Society in growth Both globally and locally, the goals of limiting CO 2 emission, safeguarding clean drinking water and reducing the production of waste should be seen in the context of the continued global growth in population and production. During the period from 199 to 22 the population in Denmark increased from 5.14 to 5.37 million, a growth of some 4.3%. If this level of growth continues, the population in 21 is expected to stand at 5.43 million. The growth in population has been largest in relative terms in the major cities in Denmark. In the Municipality of Aalborg, the number of inhabitants increased from 155,19 to 162,264 in the period from 199 to 22, a growth of 4.5%. Production has also increased. Denmark s GDP was DKK 916 billion (1995 price levels) in 199. In 22 the country s GDP had risen to DKK 1,194 billion (1995 price levels), corresponding to an increase of 3.4%. 2.3 Jobs broken down into disciplines 1% 14% 6% 4% 14% 6% Public services Retail trade and hotels Transport and communicati Manufacturing Building and construction Banks and insurance Agriculture and fishing 19% 2.1 Number of jobs - Municipality of Aalborg 14% 1% 96, Public services 94, 92, 9, 88, 6% 14% 4% Retail trade and hotels Transport and communication Manufacturing Building and construction Banks and insurance 86, 84, 6% Agriculture and fishing 82, 8, 19% Number of jobs in the Municipality of Aalborg in the period 199 to 22. (Source: City of Aalborg, Statistics and personnel department) Jobs in the Municipality of Aalborg in 22 broken down into disciplines. (Source: City of Aalborg, Statistics and personnel department) 8

9 During the same period the total production of goods in Denmark increased by 24.7% and private consumption by 22.6%. In 22 there were 12,6 business enterprises in the Municipality of Aalborg employing a total of 94,6 people. Despite the increase in gross domestic product and private consumption, Denmark s gross energy consumption energy consumption including losses associated with the production and distribution of electricity and heat (fuel consumption) in 22 was, following a slight rise at the end of the 199s, at approximately the same level as in 199. The composition of the consumption of energy has changed, however, since coal has to a large extent been replaced Gross domestic product in Denmark DKK billion 1.2 1, Denmark s gross domestic product, GDP, in DKK billion (1995 price levels). (Source: Statistics Denmark) Gross energy consumption in Denmark Aalborg is a city enjoying growth, and boasts a rich variety of shops and businesses. Photo: Aalborg Tourist & Convention Bureau. 9, 8, 7, 6, TJ 5, 4, 3, , 1, 915, ,13 931, , ,74 19, , , , , , , Oil Coal and coke Natural gas Renewable energy, etc. Denmark s gross energy consumption in TJ broken down into energy types. (Source: Statistics Denmark) 9

10 by natural gas and renewable forms of energy. During the 199s the Danes purchased more consumer durables. Many of these consumer goods have an effect on the consumption of both energy and water during their service lives, and they also affect volumes of waste when they are replaced. 2.7 Water consumption in Denmark Mill. m 3 1,2 1, Ownership of consumer durables Consumption of water in Denmark in million m 3, (Source: Statistics Denmark) Quantities of waste in Denmark 15 % Mill. tonnes 9 6 Washing machines Tumble dryers 3 Dishwashers Video recorders Microwave ovens Personal computers Mobile phones Household ownership of consumer durables in %. (Source: Statistics Denmark) Development in quantities of waste in Denmark. (Source: Waste Statistics 22, Danish Environmental Protection Agency) 1

11 The number of cars on Danish roads is increasing steadily. The same is true of the transport sector s emission of CO 2 and the number of cars that end up on the scrap heap. Photo: City of Aalborg 11

12 3. National goals and instruments for energy Limiting the emission of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases is the overriding goal in the energy area. Greenhouse gases are the chief cause of global warming. The emission of CO 2 is closely linked to the use of fossil fuels. To a large extent, the reduction is thus an indication of how far we have come with regard to implementing renewable energy forms and energyefficient technology. Denmark has signed the UN s Kyoto Protocol, in which the goal in global terms is to limit the emission of greenhouse gases by 5% in in relation to 199 levels. In the EU s Environmental Action Programme the target for Europe is somewhat stricter, with a reduction of 8 % being stipulated. In the case of Denmark, this target has been revised upwards to 21% in accordance with the internal burden sharing agreement drawn up between the EU member states. The national goal of limiting CO 2 emission by 21% cannot be directly transferred to the utility supply sector. Utility supply makes up only a part of the total energy consumption, which is distributed between several sectors: household, transport, trade and industry, energy production and agriculture. 3.1 Emission of greenhouse gases in Denmark Mill. tonnes CO 2 equivalents Target 21 Unregulated CO 2 Methane Laughing gas Industrial gases Emission of greenhouse gases in Denmark. (Source: A cost-effective climate strategy) The transport sector, which accounts for a significant proportion of the CO 2 emitted, is completely separate from the utility supply area. This sector s CO 2 emission continues to increase, and no decisive steps have been taken to counter this development. Indeed, in its paper outlining its proposal for climate strategy from 23, the government expects the continued increase of emission of CO 2 within the transport sector. This of course results in much greater demands on the other sectors. From 199 to 22 the transport sector s CO 2 emission increased from 1.5 to 12.3 million tonnes. If this growth continues, the figure will climb to 13.2 million tonnes by 21. Approximately 12

13 9% of the transport sector s CO 2 emission comes from road transport. The increase in CO 2 emission from transport means that other sectors will have to reduce their combined CO 2 emission from 42.1 to 28.4 million tonnes in order to achieve the overall goal of 41.6 million tonnes of CO 2. This corresponds to a reduction of approximately 33%. In terms of CO 2 emission per inhabitant, the projected increase in population places even greater demands on the reduction of CO 2 before 21. The per capita CO 2 emission in Denmark will thus have to be reduced by almost 37% during the period 199 to The transport sector s proportion of CO 2 emission Mill. tonnes CO Target 21 Of which, CO 2 from transport The remaining emission of CO 2 in Denmark The transport sector s proportion of the total CO 2 emission in Denmark. (Source: A cost-effective climate strategy and Denmark s greenhouse account) Switch off your engine, is the message to car drivers when the bridge over the Limfjord is raised. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 3.3 CO 2 emission per inhabitant in Denmark Tonnes CO Target 21 CO 2 -emission pr. indbygger i Danmark CO 2 emission per inhabitant in Denmark, excl. contribution from transport. (Source: A cost-effective climate strategy. Denmark s greenhouse account and Statistics Denmark) 13

14 A large number of measures have been implemented both through the EU and at national level in order to reduce CO 2 emission, including: increased duties on fossil fuels greater use of renewable energy development of combined heat and power statutory requirements with regard to advice to electricity, heat and gas consumers energy labelling of equipment and appliances increased funds for research These measures have all had an effect, both nationally and locally. Taxes and duties on energy have been regularly increased throughout the 199s. During the period from 1998 to 22 alone, taxes and duties levied on fossil fuels in Denmark increased by almost 2%. Within the field of renewable energy sources, the production of wind energy in particular has been increased such that today it provides about 15% of the Danish electricity consumption. In accordance with legislation on electricity supply, almost half of the electricity consumption is charged as prioritised energy at centrally fixed prices, which has made it profitable to produce electricity by means of wind power and other alternative energy sources. When making decisions concerning the location of windmills, it is important to take account of wind conditions, aesthetics and noise. For example, within the Municipality of Aalborg, the City Council has specified a number of areas in which windmills may be erected. Electricity production from windmills in the Municipality of Aalborg has increased from approximately 8,6 MWh in 199 to 116, MWh in 22. The national natural gas network has undergone considerable development, and the number of decentralised combined heat and power plants has increased correspondingly during recent decades. The cogeneration of heat and electricity is more efficient than individual heating with oil burners and separate production. In major cities the district heating networks have been expanded and the power stations made more efficient. Windmill of the future. NEG Micon now part of the world s biggest windmill manufacturer, Vestas has erected a completely new type of windmill in Aalborg that will be the forerunner of future offshore wind turbines. The windmill is operated by Elsam and serves as a research mill for Aalborg University. Photo: NEG Micon 14

15 4. Energy in the Municipality of Aalborg As a supplement to Danish national legislation and the international conventions and protocols that Denmark has signed through the UN and the EU, the City of Aalborg has in recent years drawn up a number of plans aimed at promoting a sustainable public utility supply. In 1992 the City Council in Aalborg adopted a Brundtland Plan that specifies a number of concrete, local, potential areas of action in the utility supply area. The principles for sustainability have been continuously integrated into the plan for heat supply for the Municipality of Aalborg and strategic plans for the Public Utility Companies. Elements contained in the Brundtland Plan include: increased connection to the district heating network further utilisation of surplus heat from the Aalborg Portland cement factory reduction of temperature in the District Heating Utility Company s supply network energy savings in municipal buildings and in urban renewal greater natural gas supply in surrounding villages 4.1 TJ Gross energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg 3, 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, Energy consumption, remainder of the Municipality of Aalborg Energy consumption, Aalborg Portland Gross energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg (Source: Energy Balance for the Municipality of Aalborg) As a follow-up to the Brundtland Plan, the Public Utility Companies have drawn up a so-called energy balance for both 199 and 22 covering the total energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg excluding transport. The energy balance reflects one overwhelming aspect in terms of energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg: The Aalborg Portland cement factory is a giant in com- parison to all other energy consumers. The increase in Aalborg Portland s energy consumption reflects an increase in the production of cement. As a result of its high energy consumption, Aalborg Portland refers directly to the national Energy Agency, which is why the local authority has no direct influence on Aalborg Portland s energy consumption and emission of CO 2. 15

16 The surplus heat that Aalborg Portland supplies to the District Heating Utility Company is not associated with additional fuel consumption. As a result, therefore, the CO 2 emission from the cement factory s production of district heating is only included in Aalborg Portland s CO 2 account and not in that of the District Heating Utility Company. The efficient utilisation of surplus heat is a major reason why CO 2 emission in the rest of the municipality has fallen. Outside the municipality s urban areas, the increased use of wood, straw and natural gas as sources of heat has also contributed to the reduction of CO 2 emission. A number of small towns are supplied with district heating from local, natural gas-fired combined heat and power plants, and in the countryside many individually heated buildings have converted from oil to gas as their chief energy source. Each household can reduce the CO 2 emission stemming from the heating of the dwelling by approximately 25% by changing from an oil-fired burner to a natural gas-fired burner. 4.2 CO 2 emission in the Municipality of Aalborg 3 Mill. tonnes CO CO 2 emission, remainder of the Municipality of Aalborg CO 2 emission from Aalborg Portland as a result of energy consumption CO 2 emission in the Municipality of Aalborg excl. transport. (Source: Energy Balance for the Municipality of Aalborg) The highly efficient kilns at Aalborg Portland produce large amounts of cement, from where surplus heat for the District Heating Utility Company originates. The industrial symbiosis between Aalborg Portland and the Public Utility Companies is of mutual benefit, both with regard to the environment and in economic terms. Photo: Aalborg Portland. 16

17 4.3 Municipality of Aalborg - buildings according to type of heating 4, 35, 3, Number of buldings 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, District/communal heating Natural gas Oil burner Stove/other Stove/electricity Heat pump No heating installation Unknown Buildings in the Municipality of Aalborg in 22 broken down according to type of heating (Source: Register of buildings and housing (BBR) for the Municipality of Aalborg) 4.4 CO 2 emission when heating a dwelling with a heating requirement of 75 GJ 7, 6, 5, kg CO 2 /year 4, 3, 2, 1, Natural gas Oil CO 2 emission when heating a single-family dwelling with an annual heating requirement of 75 GJ. 17

18 5. The Public Utility Companies supply of energy in Aalborg As the major suppliers of district heating, electricity and gas, the Public Utility Companies play a decisive role in a sustainable energy supply in the Municipality of Aalborg. Three of the six Public Utility Companies are suppliers of energy. These are: The District Heating Utility Company The Electric Utility Company - AKE Net The Gas Utility Company pany - including Nørresundby Fjernvarme supplies 4,826 TJ per year (22), corresponding to 98% of the total district heating consumption in the municipality and 82% of the total consumption of room heating and domestic hot water in the municipality. AKE Net has approximately 59, customers. The supply area covers central Aalborg and Nørresundby. AKE Net supplies 927 GWh or 3,335 TJ per year (22), corresponding to 84% of the total electricity consumption in the municipality. The Gas Utility Company has approximately 11, customers, the majority in central Aalborg and Nørresundby, where the gas is distributed through the town gas network. Gas for cooking makes up a relatively large proportion of the Gas Utility Company s total supply of 4,296, m 3 per year, corresponding to 83 TJ. The District Heating Utility Company has approximately 28, customers. There are approximately 1,4 additional customers supplied by the district heating company Nørresundby Fjernvarme, which purchases the heat wholesale from the District Heating Utility Company. The number of customers actually refers to the number of meters. For example, a single customer may in fact be a cooperative housing society - thus equating to a much larger number of individual consumers. In overall terms, the number of customers supplied by the District Heating Utility Company corresponds to a degree of coverage of 96% in the current supply area. The District Heating Utility Com % The Public Utility Companies share of the gross energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg 26% 25% 48% The District Heating Utility Company AKE Net The Gas Utility Company Other utility supply The Public Utility Companies share of the gross energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg in 22, excl. Aalborg Portland (Source: Energy Balance for the Municipality of Aalborg) 18

19 The three companies supply a total of 8,244 TJ per year, which makes up 34% of the total net energy consumption energy consumption excluding losses associated with the production and distribution of electricity and heat in the Municipality of Aalborg including Aalborg Portland, or 86% of the total net energy consumption excluding Aalborg Portland. All three companies are distribution companies that are primarily responsible for the distribution of energy only the District Heating Utility Company produces energy itself in the form of heat, and even then only to a very limited extent. The public utilities contribution to the promotion of sustainable utility supply therefore falls within the following three principal areas. The three Public Utility Companies can: 1. purchase energy produced with minimal environmental impact 2. try to limit customers energy consumption and impact on the environment 3. limit their own energy consumption and impact on the environment The way in which focus is applied and the effect that it has depends on the type of supply. For example, the District Heating Utility Company has ample opportunity to ensure minimal environmental impact through cooperation with local producers of surplus heat, whereas AKE Net only distributes the electricity that customers buy, including the statutory share of electricity from windmills and combined heat and power plants. The gross energy consumption is an indicator of how much fuel is used to produce the energy that is supplied to the consumers. The Public Utility Companies account for three quarters of the gross energy consumption in the Municipality of Aalborg. A number of tasks are performed jointly. For example, work on pipelines and cables is coordinated and much of the advice and guidance offered to customers takes place through Energicenter Aalborg, which is run jointly by the Public Utility Companies and Naturgas Midt-Nord. The Gas Utility Company, AKE Net and the District Heating Utility Company draw up DSM (Demand Side Management) plans that aim to limit customers energy consumption. By means of IRP (Integrated Resource Planning) the three companies also try to limit their own energy consumption. In addition, the three companies present environmental accounts every year. The Limfjord, here with the oil harbour and Aalborg Portland in the background, means that Aalborg is a busy port. Over the years, a large percentage of the traffic has been transferred to the East Harbour. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen. 19

20 6. The District Heating Utility Company The City of Aalborg is concentrating its efforts on district heating that is primarily produced as combined heat and power and as surplus heat from industry. District heating is thus extremely environmentally friendly in comparison with individual sources of heat that are based on fossil fuels. The district heating network is extremely well developed in all urban areas. 82% of all heated buildings in the municipality are today supplied with district heating compared with 63% in 199. Within the supply area, 96% of the total building area is connected to the District Heating Utility Company. In six minor urban areas heat is supplied from natural gas-fired combined heat and power plants. 6.1 The District Heating Utility Company s supply area In central Nørresundby the District Heating Utility Company sells district heating wholesale to Nørresundby Fjernvarmeforsyning. The district is in practice a part of the supply area and is regarded as such in this publication. 2

21 Large radiators provide an efficient way of drawing heat out of district heating water and into the living room. District heating in Aalborg is charged according to the number of cubic metres of district heating water used by the customer. It is therefore up to the customer himself to utilise the heat in the district heating water in the best possible manner. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen Producers of heat Almost all heat within the District Heating Utility Company s supply area is supplied by three main producers: Aalborg Portland A/S cement factory I/S Reno-Nord waste incineration Elsam A/S, Nordjyllandsværket combined heat and power plant 6.2 Fuel consumption GJ Fuel consumption - Single-family dwelling District heating Oil burner Electric heating Consumption of fuel for heating of a dwelling (75 GJ) with district heating, oil burner and electric heating respectively. (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company, Environmental Accounts 22) There are also a number of smaller suppliers: The Sewage Utility Company s two central sewage treatment plants and the District Heating Utility Company s 1 central stations, which are primarily fired with natural gas. Surplus heat is CO 2 -neutral and therefore has the highest priority in the supply of district heating. This means that as far as possible Reno-Nord and Aalborg Portland supply all the heat that they produce, whilst Nordjyllandsværket covers the remaining heat requirements. The District Heating Utility Company s own central stations act mainly as reserves. The surplus heat produced at Aalborg Portland is generated from the production of cement. Aalborg Portland is in the process of increasing its capacity with regard to the production of white cement, after which the annual supply of heat will rise from 1,4 TJ to 1,9 TJ from 26, corresponding to almost 3% of the District Heating Utility Company s purchase of heat. The surplus heat from Reno-Nord is generated from the incineration of waste from Aalborg and a number of other municipalities and refuse sup- 21

22 pliers. Reno-Nord is currently increasing its capacity such that the annual supply of heat from 26 is expected to be approximately 1,1 TJ. At Nordjyllandsværket the heat is produced in a new section that was commissioned in 1998 as a replacement for the coal-fired combined heat and power plant Nordkraft in Aalborg. This new section is the world s most efficient coal-fired power plant. In a few suburban towns, the District Heating Utility Company has acquired decentralised natural gas-fired combined heat and power plants during the last few years. Since surplus heat accounts for up to half of the district heating in Aalborg, the CO 2 emission per energy unit supplied to the District Heating Utility Company is extremely low in relation to other towns providing district heating to which Aalborg would normally be compared. Between 199 and 22, the level of CO 2 /GJ for heat supplied from the District Heating Utility Company fell by 36%. Since the proportion of surplus heat will increase in the future, the CO 2 emission is expected to fall even further as a result. Customers energy consumption When it comes to limiting CO 2 emission as a result of heating, the principal element of the District Heating Utility Company s strategy has been to acquire as many customers as possible due to the modest CO 2 emission per unit of supplied heat in comparison with other sources of heat. As district heating is often also much Pollution from a single-family dwelling kg CO 2 tonnes SO 2 kg NO x kg District heating Oil burner Electric heating Emission of CO 2, SO 2, NO x as a result of heating a dwelling (75 GJ) with district heating, oil burner and electric heating respectively. (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company, Environmental Accounts 22) The District Heating Utility Company CO 2 /GJ CO 2 per GJ resulting from the district heating sold by the District Heating Utility Company. 22

23 6.5 The District Heating Utility Company s purchase of heat TJ The use of GPS equipment enables all pipelines in Aalborg to be plotted with a degree of precision that can be measured in centimetres. Gas pipes, district heating pipes, water pipes, sewer pipes and electricity cables are registered in this manner. The positions of the pipes/cables and other data are gathered and collated in a geographical information system. This data can be utilised when coordinating repair and maintenance work on pipes. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen Nordkraft (decommissioned 1998) Nordjyllandsværket Reno Nord Eternit factory Sewage Treatment Plants, East & West Reserve, gas and gas oil Aalborg Portland The District Heating Utility Company s purchase of heat in TJ from heat suppliers in 199, 22 and 21 (Source: City of Aalborg, Public Utility Companies) cheaper for the individual customer than, for example, heat provided by an oil burner, this strategy has been particularly effective. The supply area has grown and the percentage of customers that are connected to the district heating network within the supply area has also increased. Today, practically all homes and businesses that are able to connect to the district heating network have done so. Overall, the connected area increased from 7.9 million m 2 in 199 to 1.1 million m 2 in 22, corresponding to an increase of 22%. This increase has occurred despite the fact that a new method has been introduced for the calculation of commercial areas, which alone has meant a reduction of some 616, m 2. The District Heating Utility Company s customers are charged according to the number of cubic metres of hot water used, and not according to how many units of heat are used. It is therefore good business for the individual customer to extract as much heat from the district heating water as possible before it is sent back to the heat producers via the District Heating Utility Company s pipelines. 23

24 6.6 The District Heating Utility Company - Connection percentage Area connected to the District Heating Utility Company in percentage of total building area within the supply area (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) Meter with a modem. The District Heating Utility Company offers its customers the option of monitoring their consumption around the clock via the telephone network. Customers are notified immediately if their consumption suddenly increases dramatically. The difference between inlet and outlet temperatures is also registered in order to make sure that customers utilise their district heating in the optimum manner. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen A good cooling effect at consumers premises also benefits both the heat producers and the District Heating Utility Company. The average drop in temperature for 1 m 3 of district heating water is approximately 4 C when measured on a yearly basis. If this cooling figure was only 2 C, for example, a further 25 million m 3 of district heating water which would mean almost twice the current volume would have to be sent through the district heating network in order to achieve the same output at consumers premises. The lower the temperature of the return water, the smaller the losses of heat during transport back to the heat producers. Smaller amounts of district heating water mean less pumping is required. Overall, good cooling of the district heating water at consumers premises results in huge energy and environmental benefits. For this reason, the District Heating Utility Company makes a great effort to provide advice on installations and insulation at its customers dwellings such that the heat is utilised in the optimum manner. This takes place in cooperation with private plumbing firms and building contractors. From 25 onwards all customers will have electronic meters, thus making it easier to monitor consumption. Customers also have the option of taking out a service subscription according to which the District Heating Utility Company can carry out remote monitoring of consumption and ensure that the heat is efficiently utilised, and take corrective action in the event of unintentional fluctuations in consumption. An average family uses approximately 2.4 m 3 district heating water per m 2 24

25 The Public Utility Companies in Aalborg are also active on the Internet. At Energihuset citizens can simulate their consumption of energy and water in an ordinary dwelling and see what effect any changes have both on the environment and on their private economy. 6.7 Realised heat savings GJ 16, 14, 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, Realised heat savings as a result of the District Heating Utility Company s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) residential area per year, corresponding to.4 GJ district heating per m 2 residential area per year. Approximately one quarter to one third of the heat is used for domestic hot water, whilst the rest is used to heat up the premises. Almost 6% of the heat that the District Heating Utility Company sold in 22 was used in private homes. The District Heating Utility Company makes a great effort to provide advice and information to both customers and business partners, in particular because installations at consumers premises are crucial for the efficiency of the utility supply. Since 1997 the District Heating Utility Company has regularly drawn up DSM plans (Demand Side Management) as a strategic tool to create energy savings for its customers. 25

26 During the period the District Heating Utility Company s business consultancy services resulted in savings of no less than 47,841 GJ, which has led to a total reduction in the emission of CO 2 of 1,263 tonnes. Furthermore, conversion from other energy forms to district heating carried out by the District Heating Utility Company s business customers corresponds to about 62, m 3 or 1,5 GJ of district heating. The District Heating Utility Company s advice and guidance in terms of private households cannot be accurately calculated. 6.8 Renovation and new construction of district heating pipelines km New construction Renovated The District Heating Utility Company s annual renovation and new construction of district heating pipelines (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) The district heating network in Aalborg was established in the 195s and has since been extended such that today it covers practically all major adjoining urban areas in the municipality. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 6.9 The District Heating Utility Company - Total network loss 1,8 1,5 1,2 TJ The total actual network loss per year in the District Heating Utility Company s supply area, (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) 26

27 The District Heating Utility Company s own energy consumption Heat losses in the supply network and energy consumption for pumping operations are important factors for the District Heating Utility Company s own energy consumption. In Aalborg-Nørresundby the hot water is distributed through a 1,2 km long dual-line (supply and return lines) network. In addition, there are a few km of pipes associated with the decentralised combined heat and power plants in small suburban towns. Heat loss in the pipes is limited in several ways. Since 1999 the District Heating Utility Company has used pipes with extra insulation when carrying out new construction and renovation. The network has been renovated systematically, and by 28 it is expected that the entire network will consist of modern, pre-insulated district heating pipes. The lower the temperature in the network, the smaller the heat loss to the surroundings. Since 1988 the supply line temperature in the network has been gradually reduced. Today the supply temperature is regulated between 75 C and 9 C depending on the outside temperature. Network losses have been reduced by 13% from 199 to 22 as a result of pipeline renovation and low temperature operation. During the same period 37 km of pipes were renovated. Network losses in 22 accounted for 21% of the total heat production to the District Heating Utility Company. In 21 it is The District Heating Utility Company - Power consumption for pumping MWh/TJ m 3 /km The District Heating Utility Company s consumption of electricity for pumping, (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) The District Heating Utility Company s consumption of make-up water The District Heating Utility Company s consumption of make-up water per km district heating pipe, (Source: City of Aalborg, District heating Utility Company) 27

28 expected that relative network losses will account for approximately 2% of the total heat production to the District Heating Utility Company. In parallel with the renovation of pipelines, pumps with frequency converters have been installed so that the pumps only run when needed. The resulting savings in electricity have, however, been offset by the increased power consumption of the pumps in conjunction with the relocation of Elsam s heat production from the now decommissioned heat and power plant at Nordkraft south of the fjord to Nordjyllandsværket north of the fjord. The high connection percentage and thereby short distance between the customers helps to minimise pumping in relation to the amount of heat supplied. Despite the continued growth of the supply network, the consumption of make-up water per km pipeline has fallen steadily. CO 2 emission The increasing proportion of surplus heat and the focusing of efforts on consumer energy savings and in connection with the distribution of district heating water have resulted in a reduction in the District Heating Utility Company s CO 2 emission in spite of the fact that the supply of district heating has increased. The emission of both SO 2 and NO X has also fallen, which can be primarily attributed to the new section at Nordjyllandsværket that was commissioned in During the next few years surplus heat from Aalborg Portland and Reno-Nord will account for an even bigger proportion The District Heating Utility Company - CO 2 emission 1, tonnes CO 2 Tonnes SO CO 2 emission in connection with district heating supplied, (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) The District Heating Utility Company - SO 2 emission SO 2 emission in connection with district heating supplied, (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) 28

29 As the Port of Aalborg s terminal facilities have been relocated to the East Harbour and the aquatic environment in the Limfjord has improved, it has become more attractive to live on the banks of the fjord. The picture shows Vestre Havnepromenade, which in recent years has been developed with both residential housing and new businesses. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 6.14 The District Heating Utility Company CO 2 emission 1, tonnes CO CO 2 i 1 ton/år?????? of the district heating supplied. The emission of CO 2, SO 2 and NO X will therefore fall even further. The District Heating Utility Company expects that the increased amount of surplus heat in 212 will lead to a reduction in the emission of CO 2 of 3, tonnes per year. Moreover, the District Heating Utility Company expects that energy savings on the part of its customers and a restructuring of the remaining market will reduce the total CO 2 emission as a result of heat consumption in the supply area by a further 1, tonnes in 212. Emission of CO 2 as a result of heat supplied in the District Heating Utility Company s supply area, , and target for 212. (Source: City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company) 29

30 Aalborg Portland, which is situated on the eastern outskirts of Aalborg, covers an area of 344 hectares, approximately half of which is made up of Aalborg Portland s chalk quarry. In addition to the production plants themselves, there are two internal dumping sites and a recycling site in the area. Photo: City of Aalborg. 3

31 Aalborg Portland Aalborg Portland A/S is Denmark s only cement manufacturer and has an annual production capacity of 2.8 million tonnes of cement, of which approximately half is exported to around 7 countries worldwide. Net turnover in 22 was just under DKK 1.5 billion. Aalborg Portland, which is part of Denmark s biggest industrial group, FLS Industries, is the world s biggest exporter of white cement. The enterprise is focusing its efforts on becoming the world s largest manufacturer within this area. The cement is produced at highly advanced production plants, and Aalborg Portland devotes a lot of resources to intensive research into enhancing the cement s properties and creating improvements in the environmental and energy area. Cooperation with the Public Utility Companies covers several areas of utility supply. Aalborg Portland is Denmark s biggest consumer of electricity and thereby also by far the Electric Utility Company s biggest customer. The factory receives granulated sludge from the Sewage Utility Company and discarded furniture from the Refuse Collection Utility Company. Both of these products are used in the production of cement. Cooperation works both ways, as can be seen by the significant amount of district heating that Aalborg Portland supplies to the District Heating Utility Company. 31

32 7. The Electric Utility Company AKE Net The Jutland-Funen electricity network is connected to the electricity grids in Norway, Sweden and Germany. A large number of foreign and Danish producers, from small windmills to hydroelectric power stations, large nuclear power plants and coal power stations supply electricity to the network. In central Aalborg and Nørresundby, AKE Net is the company responsible for the distribution of electricity. AKE Net s core tasks are: to operate and maintain the electric utility networks up to and including 6 kv in the supply area to supply prioritised energy which is electricity from windmills and decentralised combined heat and power plants 7.1 The Electric Utility Company s supply area The Electric Utility Company s supply area covers most of Aalborg and central Nørresundby, as well as the airport area. 32

33 7.2 Electricity sales, losses, and electricity saved to promote energy-saving activities aimed at its customers. GWh 1,2 1, Heavy industry Industry Retail trade and service Other Household Losses Electricity saved Consumption of electricity, grid losses and electricity saved in the Electric Utility Company AKE Net s area (Source: City of Aalborg, Electric Utility Company - AKE Net) In the remainder of the Municipality of Aalborg, these tasks are carried out by other electricity supply companies within their respective supply areas. The high voltage grid with voltages of 15 kv and 4 kv are operated by NV Net A.m.b.a and Eltra A.m.b.a respectively. AKE Net owns AKE Forsyning A/S and AKE Entreprise A/S. AKE Forsyning A/S is responsible for the purchase and sale of other energy, also called market electricity. AKE Forsyning A/S is a local supply company that has a duty to supply electricity to those consumers within the supply area who do not wish to exploit the deregulated electricity market. With a customer share of more than 9%, AKE Forsyning A/S is the dominant company in the Aalborg-Nørresundby supply area. AKE Entreprise A/S is responsible for commercial services in competition with other public and private contractors and electricians, including operational and service tasks such as traffic lights and streetlights. Lights on the waterfront. As a result of the deregulation of the electricity market, the Electric Utility Company s former contracting department has been restructured and set up as an independent limited company, AKE Entreprise, which has the establishment and maintenance of outdoor lighting among its core tasks. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen Electricity production AKE Net does not have any direct influence on pollution or consumption of resources in the production of electricity. AKE Net is, however, a co-owner of the Jutland-Funen electricity production company Elsam A/S, which as a producer of electricity has a duty to follow the objectives adopted by the Danish government and parliament. 33

34 The most important means of reducing CO 2 emission in connection with the production of electricity are: to co-generate electricity and heat to make electricity production more efficient to increase the proportion of renewable energy Prioritised energy is electricity generated by windmills and other CO 2 -neutral energy sources and by decentralised combined heat and power plants. Within the Electricity Utility Company AKE Net s area, there is an annual production of 46 million kwh (22) of prioritised energy at Reno-Nord, industrial combined heat and power plants and windmills. During recent years Danish consumers have had 4% of their electricity consumption charged as prioritised energy. The obligation to purchase prioritised energy is statutory and the proportion is adjusted regularly. Wind energy accounts for approximately one third of the total amount of prioritised energy, and its share continues to climb. Customers consumption During recent years electricity consumption has steadily increased. Trade and industry, not least Denmark s biggest electricity consumer, Aalborg Portland, is responsible for a large proportion of this increase. The continued increase in the number of electrical appliances in the home also plays a role. AKE Net s most important direct influence on the reduction of CO 2 emission is to urge savings on the part of consumers Realised electricity savings MWh Tonnes 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3,5 3, 2,5 2, 1,5 1, Realised electricity savings as a result of AKE Net s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) Reduction in CO 2 emission Reduction in CO 2 emission as a result of AKE Net s business consultancy services. 34

35 7.5 AKE Net - CO 2 emission In autumn 23 the last overhead cable in AKE Net s low voltage network was taken down. All electricity within the supply area is now supplied through underground cables. Photo: City of Aalborg tonnes Emission of CO 2 as a result of electricity supplied within AKE Net s supply area in 199 and 22, and target for 212. (Source: City of Aalborg, Electric Utility Company - AKE Net, Environmental accounts 22) Since 1995 AKE Net has regularly drawn up DSM plans aimed at creating energy savings on the part of its customers. AKE Net provides free advice to its customers, both through its own customer services department and through Energicenter Aalborg. During the period AKE Net s business consultancy services resulted in total savings of 29,185 MWh and a total reduction in emission of CO 2 of 17,45 tonnes. AKE Net s advice with regard to private households cannot be accurately calculated. The Electric Utility Company s own consumption As the distributor of electricity in central Aalborg and Nørresundby, AKE Net s primary efforts with regard to the reduction of CO 2 emission are focused on limiting losses in the supply network. This is achieved by the ongoing renovation of transformer stations, cables and lines. Losses in the supply network in 22 stood at 24.9 GWh, which is less than 3% of AKE Net s total transport of electricity. CO 2 emission The increase in the number of windmills and decentralised combined heat and power plants and the decommissioning of outdated power stations have resulted in a considerable reduction in the emission of CO 2, SO 2 and NO x stemming from the production of the electricity that AKE Net distributes to its customers. In addition, AKE Net s energy saving activities with regard to its customers have resulted in energy savings, and reduced emission of CO 2, SO 2 and NO x from electricity production as a consequence. CO 2 emission from the production of the electricity that AKE Net distributes to its customers is expected to be reduced by 1% by 212 corresponding to approximately 4, tonnes in relation to today s level due to the fact that coal will be replaced by natural gas and renewable energy. Moreover, AKE Net expects that customers will reduce their electricity consumption in 212 by approximately 3 GWh in relation to today. CO 2 emission will thereby fall by approximately 15, tonnes. It is assumed that electricity consumption will not increase as we approach 212 due to other factors. 35

36 Nordjyllandsværket, which lies east of Nørresundby, has a double role as one of Denmark s biggest producers of electricity and Aalborg s biggest producer of district heating. Photo: Elsam Foto Nordjyllandsværket 36

37 Nordjyllandsværket Nordjyllandsværket, which is situated north of Aalborg, was built in It has a power output of 665 MW and in 22 produced 2,235 GWh (net) of electricity and 3,81 TJ (net) of district heating. The majority of the district heating is sold to the City of Aalborg, District Heating Utility Company, and a small amount to Gandrup-Vester Hassing Varmeforsyning in the neighbouring municipality of Hals. The power station employs 13 personnel. There are two sections at the power station. Section 2 is from 1977 and has undergone continuous modernisation, whilst section 3 is from 1998 and is the world s most efficient coal-fired plant. Nordjyllandsværket uses coal and heavy fuel oil in the production of electricity and district heating. In addition, calcium and ammonia are used to clean the flue gas and water is used for the internal water/steam circuit, flue gas cleaning and make-up water for the district heating network. The flue gas is cleaned so effectively that the emission of SO 2 is almost non-existent. The sulphur that precipitates during cleaning is used in cement production at Aalborg Portland. 37

38 8. The Gas Utility Company Gas is a cleaner fuel than both coal and oil. From a CO 2 perspective it is therefore important to promote the use of gas at the expense of these two fuels. The Gas Utility Company s primary task is to supply town gas to dwellings and businesses in the central districts of Aalborg-Nørresundby via a 19 km-long pipeline supply network. Town gas is a mixture of natural gas and atmospheric air. Natural gas is supplied wholesale via the regional natural gas network, after which the Gas Utility Company produces town gas itself, i.e. the process of mixing the natural gas with compressed air. The majority of the town gas supplied by the Gas Utility Company in the 8.1 The Gas Utility Company s supply area In the area marked, the Gas Utility Company supplies town gas through a 19 km network of pipes. In the rest of the municipality gas is delivered in bottles. 38

39 centre of the city is used for cooking, as the District Heating Utility Company is responsible for the supply of almost all heat in this area. A few areas are supplied with natural gas, whilst in the rest of the municipality the Gas Utility Company delivers bottled gas to customers that are not connected to the gas supply network. In the year 2, the Gas Utility Company was awarded environmental certification in accordance with ISO CO 2 emission in connection with cooking CO 2 in kg Customers consumption The Gas Utility Company devotes a great deal of effort to persuading as many consumers as possible to change from an electric cooker to a gas cooker. This is particularly true for catering kitchens at institutions and companies, including municipal kitchens. These efforts have a great significance with regard to minimising CO 2 emission. As part of these efforts, the City Council has adopted an environmental manual that makes the use of gas for cooking compulsory when carrying out urban renewal and building non-profit rental housing. In 22 the Gas Utility Company sold approximately 1 million m 3 of town gas for cooking, corresponding to almost 25% of total sales. Since 1997 the Gas Utility Company has regularly drawn up DSM plans. During the period the Gas Utility Company s business consultancy services resulted in conversions from oil and electricity to town gas, corresponding to a total consumption of 2,93,625 m 3. CO 2 emission has thereby fallen by 3,123 tonnes during the same period. 8.3 Mill. m Solid plates Ceramic Induction Gas An average household s annual CO 2 emission in connection with cooking (Source: City of Aalborg, Gas Utility Company) Breakdown of consumption of gas Meter difference Household Business District heating Other Breakdown of the Gas Utility Company s consumption of gas. (Source: City of Aalborg, Gas Utility Company) 39

40 The Gas Utility Company s own consumption Town gas contains a lot of methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Limiting losses in pipelines is therefore a very important part of the Gas Utility Company s environmental efforts. The best indicator of pipeline losses is the meter difference, i.e. the difference between the quantity of gas sent out into the supply network and the quantity that is charged for. The meter difference may be due to circumstances such as leaks in the pipeline network or losses in connection with repair work. For many years the meter difference has accounted for approximately 15% of the total volume of gas. The goal is to reduce the meter difference by 5% each year. In recent years the Gas Utility Company has been close to achieving this target, and the figure in 22 was 4%. The primary means of reducing the meter difference include the ongoing renovation of the pipeline network and systematic localisation of leaks. The second major item in the Gas Utility Company s CO 2 account is electricity consumption, of which the vast majority is used for compressing atmospheric air to produce town gas. 1 m 3 of natural gas and.15 kwh of electricity are required to produce 2 m 3 of town gas. CO 2 emission The continued conversion of customers from electricity to gas and the continued reduction of pipeline losses are expected to result in the Gas Utility Company s CO 2 emission remaining largely stable at current levels m 3 Realised town gas conversions 1,, Tonnes 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Reduction in CO 2 1,6 1,4 1,2 1, Realised conversions as a result of the Gas Utility Company s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) Reduction in CO 2 emission as a result of the Gas Utility Company s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) 4

41 Restaurants and institutional kitchens are among the Gas Utility Company s biggest customers. The use of gas rather than electricity reduces CO 2 emission significantly. Photo: Aalborg Tourist & Convention Bureau 41

42 Test a bulb. Energicenter Aalborg s consultancy services are aimed at both private households and businesses, and include the free loan of a suitcase with different types of low-energy lightbulbs so that consumers can try them out for themselves. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 42

43 Energicenter Aalborg A considerable part of the activities that the Public Utility Companies perform in order to persuade customers to save energy and resources takes place through Energicenter Aalborg. Energicenter Aalborg was set up in 1993 and is run by the Public Utility Companies in collaboration with Naturgas Midt-Nord. Energicenter Aalborg provides advice to both private households and business customers, ranging from the smallest corner shop to the biggest industrial group. This advice encompasses everything from changing lightbulbs to advanced energy and environmental management in energyintensive industrial enterprises. Advice is provided on gas, electricity, heat, water, waste water and solid waste. Advice is provided free of charge and its overall aim is to help the Public Utility Company s customers to utilise energy and environmental resources in the optimum manner and thereby contribute to the creation of a sustainable development in the field of utility supply. At the same time, the advice provided helps both private and business customers to save money. Each year around 2, private individuals receive advice, either directly or via the teaching of schoolchildren. The effect of advice and guidance to private households cannot be calculated precisely. The effect of consultancy services provided to the business community can be calculated, however. Since 1993, Energicenter Aalborg has provided consultancy services for around 5 companies within North Jutland with a total consumption of: 15 million kwh town and natural gas 3 million kwh electricity 2 million kwh district heating 2 million m 3 water The companies in question have saved an average of 1% on their energy and water consumption for investments that are repaid within a period of less than four years. When a company contacts Energicenter Aalborg, the typical procedure is that, in collaboration with the company s own personnel, one of the centre s experts will chart the company s consumption of energy and environmental services. The company will then receive a report in which Energicenter Aalborg calculates item-by-item the savings that can be made and what they will mean in monetary terms. It is then up to the company itself to decide which initiatives it wishes to put into effect. In order to document the effect, Energicenter Aalborg follows up with measurements on the proposals that are adopted. Energicenter Aalborg is also able to provide assistance when a company wishes to receive additional services and requires help in its quest to receive environmental certification, when drawing up environmental accounts or establishing a statutory energy management scheme. Services of this nature must, however, be paid for. 43

44 9. National goals and instruments for water and waste water In 23 Denmark incorporated the EU Water Framework Directive from 2 into national legislation. This means that the protection of groundwater and surface water are systematically considered together for the first time. The aim of the directive is to ensure that all occurrences of water lakes, watercourses, groundwater reserves, etc. are in good condition, i.e. free of 9.1 Price of water and waste water DKK./m Price of water Sewage charge VAT and duties pollution. In the case of groundwater, this also means that it is prohibited to recover water at a faster rate than it is created. Surface water seeping down through the soil has great significance for the groundwater. In turn, the quantity and quality of the groundwater is important for the surface water, since the vast majority of Danish watercourses are fed by groundwater. The development in the price of water, waste water and duties levied on customers of the Water Utility Company and Sewage Utility Company in the period 199 to 22. (Source: City of Aalborg, Public Utility Companies) In Denmark almost all drinking water comes from groundwater, which is sent directly to consumers either untreated or treated for naturally occurring substances such as iron. Compared to the treatment of surface water, this form of water supply has advantages both in terms of operating costs and ecology. A great deal of the focus in Denmark during the 199s has therefore been concentrated on designating areas of particular interest with regard to drinking water. Within these areas, the county authorities have designated special action areas in which particular efforts are made to protect the groundwater, for instance in the form of agreements concerning the non-use of pesticides on arable land or the acquisition of land for afforestation. Outside these special action areas, focus has been trained on the quality of surface water, groundwater and wetlands. Measures implemented to achieve this include: making the treatment of sewage more effective (Since 1993, Danish statutory requirements concerning the removal of nitrogen, phosphor and organic matter from sewage before discharge have been more comprehensive than prevailing EU requirements) 44

45 The continued use of untreated groundwater as drinking water is a primary objective of Danish environmental policy. Photo: Tankegang a/s. prohibiting or limiting the use of pesticides and other harmful substances (In the government s new Pesticide Plan the goal is to reduce the use of pesticides by 3% between 1999 and 29) increasing duties on fertilisers providing financial support for sustainable land use protecting, conserving and reestablishing wetlands, for example by increasing the cultivation-free zones alongside watercourses developing new systems for testing chemicals The effective treatment of sewage is ensured by modernising treatment plants and developing new methods to eliminate harmful substances. Systematic separate sewer systems have limited the amount of rainwater that the sewage treatment plants have to process. As a means of limiting water consumption, a statutory requirement has been introduced according to which water meters must be installed in all properties. In addition, duties on both water and waste water have increased significantly during recent years. As a result of the above, and price increases resulting from increased costs, the consumption of water in Denmark has fallen significantly since Water consumption in Denmark 1,2 1, 8 Mill. m Consumption of drinking water in Denmark (Source: Statistics Denmark) 45

46 1. Water and waste water in the Municipality of Aalborg Water supply in the Municipality of Aalborg is carried out by 53 private, nonprofit making waterworks and the local authority s own Water Utility Company. Approximately 1,2 properties are supplied by their own recovery plants. Since all inhabitants within the Municipality of Aalborg are supplied with drinking water in the form of groundwater that is either untreated or only treated for naturally occurring substances, the crucial element in a sustainable local supply is to protect the groundwater effectively in the areas in which it is created and recovered. In line with the increasing amount of pollution, not least in urban areas, it has been necessary to shut down a number of water wells during recent decades. Water recovery in the Municipality of Aalborg takes place decentrally. This helps to minimise the risk of excessive pumping at a single location, which can cause polluted surface water to seep down into the groundwater more quickly. The more slowly the water seeps down, the better it is cleaned. The Water Utility Company and private waterworks collaborate closely in the so-called Water Plan Cooperation Agreement, which consists of the following 3 elements: 1.1 Water recovery in the Municipality of Aalborg 1 m City of Aalborg, Water Utility Company to ensure effective groundwater protection in groundwater catchment areas. to ensure maximum reliability of supply through a reciprocally connected pipeline supply network. to make it possible for properties in the open countryside to connect to the public water supply at a reasonable price. Private waterworks Water recovery in the Municipality of Aalborg, (Source: City of Aalborg, Water Utility Company) All 3 elements are financed via charges that are incorporated into the price of water. In the case of groundwater protection, consumers pay DKK.4 per m 3 water. This money is used for initiatives such as the acquisition of land in protected groundwater catchment areas. In the Aalborg region, the County of North Jutland has the primary responsibility for drawing up action plans for 46

47 areas of particular interest with regard to drinking water. Based on the Water Plan Cooperation Agreement, however, the City of Aalborg has implemented a local plan of action in the village of Drastrup, which lies southwest of Aalborg. The plan covers an area of 1.4 km 2. Comprehensive restrictions have been implemented with regard to how the land in this area may be used. The area supplies water to the western part of the city of Aalborg. In 25 it is expected that a similar plan will be drawn up for a 17 km 2 -large area southeast of Aalborg. Water wells in the area supply water to central and eastern Aalborg. Later, an area north of Nørresundby is also expected to be designated as a protected groundwater catchment area. Measurements taken by the Water Utility Company in Drastrup since 1998 show that such restrictions do in fact result in cleaner groundwater. Even in an area that had been set-aside, where the nitrate content in the groundwater was low in comparison to the cultivated areas, there was a rapid and significant reduction such that the nitrate in the groundwater had practically disappeared after just one year. One of the means of protecting the groundwater catchment areas is to plant forest. The municipality, which has relatively little forest, can hereby increase its contribution to the national goal of 2-25% of Denmark s area being covered by forest. An added benefit is the fact that forests convert CO Nitrate content [mg/l] Average nitrate concentration / / /4 23/4 1 23/4 2 23/4 3 Pasture area Forest area Nitrate content in groundwater 1 m under the surface of the soil in Drastrup local action area in the period from April 1998 to December 23. (Source: City of Aalborg, Water Utility Company) Green oasis. Effective sewerage ensures clean water even in the centre of the city. Photo: City of Aalborg 47

48 Waste water In the area of waste water, a concentration of activities has also taken place. A number of small and relatively inefficient sewage treatment plants have been decommissioned, which has resulted in about 98% of all sewage treatment being carried out today at the Sewage Utility Company s two large sewage treatment plants, Sewage Treatment Plant East (in operation since 1975) and Sewage Treatment Plant West (1982) in Aalborg. From 27 these two plants alone will service a total of 2, inhabitants in Aalborg and three neighbouring municipalities. In line with the concentration on the two large treatment plants, the sewer network has been expanded. Since around 197, all new neighbourhoods in towns within the municipality have been established with separate sewer systems. The separate drainage of rainwater has helped to limit the increase in the volume of waste water flowing to the two sewage treatment plants. Both initiatives have contributed to a marked improvement in the quality of surface water in both the Limfjord and local watercourses. This is due in part because treatment of the sewage is much more efficient at the two large plants than at small plants, and in part because the direct discharge of effluents into watercourses has been limited as a result of more properties being connected to the sewer system. In addition to the 2, km-long sewer network belonging to the City of Aalborg Sewage Utility Company, there are around 4, km of private sewers in the Municipality of Aalborg. Furthermore, almost 1, km of public and private sewers in the municipalities of Støvring, Skørping and Sejlflod are connected to the Sewage Utility Company s sewer network. For properties in the open countryside that are not connected to the sewer system, monitoring of the discharge of waste water has been tightened up. The County of North Jutland, which monitors the water quality in watercourses in collaboration with the Sewage Utility Company, has designated five action areas in the Municipality of Aalborg two south and three north of the fjord where there is a need for better treatment of waste water if the quality of the water in watercourses is to be safeguarded. Properties within these areas can be ordered by the local authority to improve waste water treatment. If a property cannot be connected to the sewer network, the owner can choose to upgrade his sewage treatment plant himself or permit the Sewage Utility Company to do it for a connection fee. The concentration of sewage treatment plants means that new methods of treatment can be put into service relatively easily. Once again, the effect of this can be seen by the fact that the water quality in the Limfjord has improved markedly within recent decades. 48

49 View of the future. Only a few years ago Aalborg s business community was based on large, heavy industrial enterprises. Today it is the knowledge industry that provides the driving force. Within the field of communications technology, Aalborg has developed into an international power centre. The picture shows Siemens premises in Lindholm on the former site of a cement manufacturing plant. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 49

50 11. The Water Utility Company In line with the increasing amount of pollution, a number of waterworks both inside and outside the central city area have been closed. The same applies to many wells, typically on agricultural properties. There is a tendency for the water supply both in terms of recovery and distribution to be concentrated in fewer, but larger, units. With the exception of a few districts, the central area of the city is supplied by the municipal Water Utility Company, which is responsible for about 6% of the water supply in the municipality. The water is recovered from three large areas just outside the city: Drastrup, Southeast and Hvorup. Both north and south of the fjord a recovery capacity to cover normal 11.1 The Water Utility Company s supply area The Water Utility Company supplies the whole of Aalborg and central Nørresundby with water. 5

51 consumption must be maintained. In addition, there must be a reserve capacity of 25% that can be used in emergencies, for example if a source has to be temporarily taken out of service. In order to ensure sufficient capacity, the Water Utility Company is examining the possibility of establishing one or more new groundwater catchment areas south of Aalborg. In the Municipality of Aalborg, there is in general enough water below ground to cover the current need for water recovery. Customers water consumption The Water Utility Company has a few, limited possibilities for directly influencing its customers consumption of water. In this case, the government s tax and duty policy plays the central role. However, the price of water has risen as a result of increased costs associated with recovery and distribution, which in itself may be assumed to have put downward pressure on consumption. The Water Utility Company does a great deal of work educating consumers on how to save water. This takes place in collaboration with Energicenter Aalborg. The Water Utility Company is also focusing efforts on making the use of individual water meters more widespread in apartments in blocks of flats. Experience has shown that consumption falls when it is metered and charged individually. The Water Utility Company s consultancy services are aimed at both private households and businesses. Energicenter Aalborg has calculated the effect of consultancy to the business community m 3 The Water Utility Company - Price of water and duties DKK./m , 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Price per m 3 water Duty levied on water and VAT Development in prices and duties per m 3 water, (Source: City of Aalborg, Water Utility Company) Realised water savings Realised water savings as a result of the Water Utility Company s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) 51

52 During the period a total of 168,814 m 3 of water was saved. As an added benefit, lower electricity consumption for pumping operations has reduced CO 2 emission by 68 tonnes Reduction in CO The Water Utility Company s own consumption Limiting the losses in pipelines is the most important goal for the Water Utility Company when it comes to its own consumption. During the last four years the Water Utility Company has renovated approximately 25 km of mains pipes and service pipes in its efforts to limit losses. In 1991 the so-called unmetered water consumption was 1.6 million m 3. By 22 this figure had been halved to.52 million m 3 despite the expansion of the supply network. The large fluctuations from year to year in unmetered consumption are due to staggered charges or the flushing of pipes in connection with renovation work or pollution. The pipeline network has grown as a result of the Water Utility Company acquiring a number of private waterworks. The transport distance between the catchment areas and the consumers has increased as a result of the relocation of wells from the central city area. The Water Utility Company s consumption of electricity for pumping stands at approximately 3 million kwh per year, corresponding to the total consumption of approximately 7 ordinary households. Both the losses in the pipeline network and the development in electricity consumption should be seen in light of the growth of the pipeline supply network Tonnes % Reduction in CO 2 emission as a result of the Water Utility Company s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) The Water Utility Company - Unmetered water consumption Unmetered water consumption in percentage of the total water recovery, (Source: City of Aalborg, Water Utility Company) 52

53 Clean water costs money. For every litre of water in the bath, the consumer pays.4 øre towards groundwater cooperation in the Municipality of Aalborg. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 11.6 The Water Utility Company s electricity consumption for pumping 1, kwh 3,5 3, 2,5 2, 1,5 1, There are two further potential causes of increased electricity consumption. Firstly, it may be necessary to pump large amounts of water away from sources that are no longer used in order to maintain the groundwater level, and secondly it may be necessary to pump the upper level of groundwater away in order to prevent pollution of a source. Conversely, the general fall in water consumption has reduced the need for pumping. The Water Utility Company systematically uses energy-efficient pumps when renovating existing plant or establishing new plant. The Water Utility Company s electricity consumption for pumping, (Source: City of Aalborg, Water Utility Company) 53

54 12. The Sewage Utility Company The Sewage Utility Company s overall goal is to achieve a clean aquatic environment in the municipality s brooks, streams, lakes and the Limfjord by means of the recovery, transport and treatment of waste water. By the end of 26 at the latest, the Sewage Utility Company will accumulate all sewage treatment at the two large treatment plants, Sewage Treatment Plant East and Sewage Treatment Plant West. This is being carried out in order to ensure maximum quality in sewage treatment, which is in turn crucial for the quality of the water in the region s watercourses and the Limfjord. Today the vast majority of waste water is treated mechanically, biologically 12.1 The Sewage Utility Company s overall sewer network Sewage Treatment Plants East and West with overall sewer network. (Source: City of Aalborg, Sewage Utility Company) 54

55 and chemically, the latter, however, only to a very limited extent as a means of removing some of the phosphor content. The Sewage Utility Company is working towards treating as much of the sewage as possible biologically. Sewage treatment is particularly aimed at removing organic matter, phosphor and nitrogen from the waste water before it is released into the Limfjord. The quantity of a given substance that is removed by treatment is called the treatment efficiency. The Sewage Utility Company s target is a treatment efficiency of at least 95% for organic matter, 9% for phosphor and 8% for nitrogen. The figures for treatment efficiency fluctuate not only according to the content of the waste water, but also depend on the amount of precipitation. In long periods with heavy rainfall, the intake of waste water to the sewage treatment plants can exceed their capacity, as a result of which elements of the treatment process have to be restricted. Treatment efficiency for nitrogen and phosphor is particularly important, as these nutrient salts can cause oxygen depletion. In 1989 Sewage Treatment Plants East and West were upgraded to enable the removal of nutrient salts, i.e. phosphor and nitrogen. This led to a considerable increase in the amount of sludge. Through the use of discharge permits, however, the local authority simultaneously demanded that companies should eliminate heavy metals in their effluent discharge, and thus this sludge could be used in agriculture without any problem % The Sewage Utility Company - Quantities of treated waste water 1 m Quantities of treated waste water in m 3, (Source: City of Aalborg, Sewage Utility Company) Treatment efficiency B15 Total nitrogen Total phosphor Precipitation Treatment efficiency for organic matter, phosphor and precipitation, (Source: City of Aalborg, Sewage Utility Company) mm precipitation 55

56 The quantity of sludge has been reduced from 3, tonnes per year in the 199s to less than 5, tonnes in 22. This has been achieved by utilising the organic matter to an increasing extent in the production of biogas and by reducing the water content in the sludge. From the year 2 onwards, all sludge from both sewage treatment plants, East and West, was accumulated and dried at a special plant at East. The dried sludge granulate is sold to the cement factory at Aalborg Portland, where it is used both as an ingredient in the cement itself and as fuel in the production of cement. The Sewage Utility Company s 2, km main sewer network is continuously being renovated, in part in order to reduce the quantity of groundwater that seeps in. Along with separate sewer systems and overflow facilities this has reduced the quantity of water that places an unnecessary burden on the sewage treatment plants. Leak-tight sewers reduce the seepage of groundwater into the sewage system and the waste water leaking out, and help to discourage rats. Via regular TV inspections and computer models, the correct dimensioning of the pipes is ensured. This is particularly important in areas with a communal sewer system, where it reduces the risk of flooding in cellars and the amount of overflow water that is discharged into the aquatic environment. The Sewage Utility Company s own consumption The Sewage Utility Company s consumption of electricity has risen in recent Sewage Treatment Plant West - heavy metals in sludge mg/kg phosphor mg/kg phosphor 5, 4,5 4, 3,5 3, 2,5 2, 1,5 1, 5 4,5 4, 3,5 3, 2,5 2, 1,5 1, Cadmium Mercury Lead Nickel Content of heavy metals in sludge from Sewage Treatment Plant West, (Source: City of Aalborg, Sewage Utility Company). Sewage Treatment Plant East - heavy metals in sludge Cadmium Mercury Lead Nickel Content of heavy metals in sludge from Sewage Treatment Plant East, (Source: City of Aalborg, Sewage Utility Company). 56

57 years. The increase was particularly great in 2, when the sludge drying plant at Sewage Treatment Plant East was commissioned. In spite of the expansion of the sewer network, the consumption of electricity for pumping has fallen in recent years due to the systematic use of energyefficient pumps. The Sewage Utility Company currently operates 18 pumping stations. The Sewage Utility Company utilises the organic matter in the waste water to produce biogas. At the Sewage Treatment Plant West the gas is used to produce electricity, which in 22 corresponded to 57% of the plant s own consumption. At the Sewage Treatment Plant East the gas is used as fuel in the sludge drying plant. The surplus heat from both processes is led out into the district heating network when not being used to heat the sewage treatment plants own buildings and processing tanks. The treatment of waste water is now so effective that the sewage treatment plants can use the treated water for mixing chemicals and cleaning. The consumption of drinking water at the plants has fallen correspondingly. In 22, 1, m 3 of drinking water was replaced by treated waste water, corresponding to the consumption of 7-8 single-family dwellings Electricity consumption KWh 16, 14, 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, Sewage Treatment Plant West Sewage Treatment Plant East Attractive architecture and a functional layout form a synthesis at the Sewage Utility Company s pumping station at Vestre Promenade. Photo: City of Aalborg Other plants Pumping stations The Sewage Utility Company s electricity consumption in the period 1998 to 22, broken down into Sewage Treatment Plant East, Sewage Treatment Plant West, other plants and pumping stations. (Source: City of Aalborg, Sewage Utility Company) 57

58 13. National goals and instruments for waste 21% Legislation governing refuse and waste in Denmark comes into effect in a close interaction with the EU. The EU lays down the overall framework, whilst the Danish government and the Danish parliament decide how the area should be organised. This takes place through a combination of legislation, duties, charges and systems of subsidy. The local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the waste, both from private households and businesses, is handled correctly. Local authorities have a duty to provide advice and guidance with regard to the disposal of waste that is not collected. The EU Waste Framework Directive specifies a hierarchy for the handling of waste: Prevention. The less waste, the better. Recycling. The more waste that can be recycled, the better. Incineration. As much as possible of the waste that cannot be recycled must be utilised to generate power and heat. Disposal. The less waste that has to be disposed of at landfill sites, the better. In Denmark these principles have resulted in consolidated legislation on waste and the government s Waste Strategy A wide range of measures have been employed in order to reduce the quantity of waste, from duties on packaging to consultancy services provided to business enterprises. Construction waste accounts for a significant portion (33% in 22) of the total quantity of waste. The building and construction sector is subject to a number of standards that aim to increase the proportion of environmentally-friendly materials and materials with long lifetimes. Danish efforts have hitherto concentrated on maximising the proportion of recyclable waste, minimising the proportion for disposal on landfill sites, and utilising combustible waste in the production of energy. The sorting of waste at source is therefore a crucial element in the Danish system of waste management. Some of the waste constitutes such a health or environmental risk that it has to be specially treated before it can be used for recycling, incineration or landfill disposal. This applies to items such as electronic components, chemicals, batteries and accumulators. Plastic is also a special area of focus in which the goal is to increase the degree of recycling. Today the majority of plastic is burned in incineration plants % 24% 26% 21% 12% 9% 54% 64% 65% 54% Goals for waste management 25% 24% 26% 12% 9% 64% 65% Genanvendelse i % Forbrænding i % Recycling in % Incineration in % Deponering i % Landfill disposal in % Overall goals for waste management until 28 (Source: Waste Strategy 25-28) 58

59 Electronic and electrical waste belong to the group of waste products that require special treatment before being sent for recycling, incineration or disposal at a landfill site. Photo: City of Aalborg 59

60 14. Waste in the Municipality of Aalborg The City of Aalborg s Waste Plan is in line with the national goals with regard to the sorting of waste at source, maximising recycling, minimising landfill disposal and utilising combustible waste for the production of energy 14.1 Business and household waste in the Municipality of Aalborg 7, 6, 5, Recycling Waste from businesses makes up 84% (22) of the total quantity of waste. Approximately half of the industrial waste consists of earth and building materials, of which the vast majority can be recycled. At several places in Aalborg special sites have been set up for the temporary disposal of this waste. Volumes have increased as a result of the building boom in the 199s. Paper and cardboard from private households are currently the focus of a special initiative. The local authority is working towards a recycling rate of 55%, which is also the national target. One of the means of achieving this involves setting up containers for the collection of paper and glass at blocks of flats and in public places. Combustible waste Almost all combustible waste is used in the generation of heat and electricity Tonnes 4, 3, 2, 1, at the incineration plant at Reno-Nord, which the City of Aalborg co-owns with six other local authorities in the region. In 25 Reno-Nord will be commissioning a new kiln line that will increase the annual capacity to approximately 16, tonnes of waste. The new plant will replace two older kilns and have an efficiency of 98%. The plant will be able to supply heat to Total recycling Total incineration Total landfill disposal Business and household waste in the Municipality of Aalborg broken down into recycling, incineration and landfill disposal. (Source: City of Aalborg, Refuse Collection Utility Company) 3, single-family dwellings and electricity to 16, single-family dwellings. Landfill waste All waste from Aalborg that cannot be recycled or incinerated is deposited either at the controlled landfill site in Rærup, which is operated by Reno-Nord, or at the Refuse Collection Utility Company s 6

61 Waste and Recycling Centre in Rørdal. Impregnated timber and other building materials, plus sand and sludge make up the largest groups of waste Business waste Erhvervsaffald Erhvervsaffald 11% 11% 14.3 Household waste Husholdningsaffald Husholdningsaffald 3% 3% Hazardous waste Hazardous waste such as oil and chemical waste and clinical risk waste is kept separate from other types of waste and requires special treatment prior to recycling, incineration or landfill disposal. Of the 569, tonnes of waste, 475, tonnes come from business and industry and the rest from private households. 11% 11% 78% 78% Recycling Recycling Incineration Incineration Landfill Landfill 58% 58% 39% Recycling Recycling Incineration Incineration Landfill Landfill 39% Recycling, incineration and landfill disposal of business waste in 22. (Source: City of Aalborg, Refuse Collection Utility Company) Recycling, incineration and landfill disposal of household waste in 22. (Source: City of Aalborg, Refuse Collection Utility Company) Cardboard and paper put into the recycling container. The City of Aalborg s goal is to recycle 55% of paper waste. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 61

62 15. The Refuse Collection Utility Company The Refuse Collection Utility Company handles approximately 17% of the waste that is produced in Aalborg. The rest is dealt with by private firms. Household waste The Refuse Collection Utility Company collects and processes waste from all private households within the Municipality of Aalborg. In two of the three districts, however, the actual collection has been contracted out to private haulage contractors. For several types of waste, special collection systems have been set up. 11 times a year the Refuse Collection Utility Company carries out pavement collections of bulky waste, paper and metal from private households. Paper and glass can also be disposed of in containers set up at central locations. There are around 1,8 containers for paper and about 5 for glass. Environmentally hazardous waste for example, paint, oil, chemicals, batteries and drug residues can be delivered to a special van, Rappenskralden, which comes to each local area twice a year. Some types of hazardous waste are also accepted by retail businesses such as paint dealers, supermarkets and chemists Quantities of waste delivered to recycling sites 5, 4, The Refuse Collection Utility Company owns and operates two recycling sites in Aalborg and Nørresundby respectively, where local citizens can dispose of all types of waste. The recycling sites are very popular. The vast majority of the waste that is delivered here can be recycled. The Refuse Collection Utility Company owns and operates the Waste and Recycling Centre Rørdal, which functions as a filling site, soil depot and composting plant for garden and park waste. Tonnes 3, 2, 1, Over Kæret Lindholm/Sundsholmen Quantities of waste delivered to the Refuse Collection Utility Company s recycling sites in 199 and 22 respectively. (Source: Refuse Collection Utility Company) 62

63 15.2 Quantity of waste subject to advice 6, Clean exhaust, clean city. Since summer 23 the Refuse Collection Utility Company has been involved in a trial, the aim of which is to reduce the quantity of soot particles in the exhaust gas emitted from the company s refuse collection trucks. 6 trucks have been fitted with a newly developed technical device, Octiboost, which enhances the engine s combustion of fuel. Photo: City of Aalborg 5, 4, Tonnes 3, 2, 1, Quantity of waste for which advice has been given as a result of Energicenter Aalborg s business consultancy services. (Source: Energicenter Aalborg) Industrial waste The Refuse Collection Utility Company collects all daily refuse from businesses. In addition, the Refuse Collection Utility Company has a duty to provide advice and guidance with regard to the remaining waste i.e. to provide advice to companies on how to dispose of their waste correctly. During the period , Energicenter Aalborg provided advice and guidance covering a total of 1,9 tonnes of waste. In its role as the municipal authority, the Refuse Collection Utility Company can demand that companies ensure that their waste is disposed of correctly. When it comes to the handling of industrial waste that is not covered by a collection scheme, the Refuse Collection Utility Company competes on an equal footing with other refuse contractors. A company is thus free to choose whether it wishes to use the Refuse Collection Utility Company or another company to handle its waste. 63

64 In the kilns at Reno-Nord incineration plant in the east of Aalborg, solid waste is converted into electricity and district heating. Photo: Ajs Smed Nielsen 64

65 I/S Reno-Nord I/S Reno-Nord is a joint municipal waste processing company that is owned by the local authorities in Arden, Dronninglund, Hals, Sejlflod, Skørping, Aabybro and Aalborg. One of the company s objectives is to ensure that combustible waste from the co-owning municipalities can be incinerated. The amount of waste for incineration at the plant from the 7 municipalities increased from approx. 11, tonnes/year to 135, tonnes/year between , before falling to 127, tonnes/year in 21. A further 12, tonnes of waste came from other municipalities in 21. Reno-Nord currently has three kilns for the incineration of waste. The two oldest kilns were constructed in 198, and have a capacity of 8 tonnes of waste per hour. These kilns, which produce district heating, are today regarded as being out of date. The third kiln was commissioned in 1991 and has a capacity of 12.5 tonnes of waste per hour, and supplies steam to a combined heat and power plant that generates both electricity and district heating. In 22, Reno-Nord s incineration plant supplied a total of 978 TJ of heat to the District Heating Utility Company in Aalborg and 43 GWh to the electricity grid. Before the end of 25 it is expected that the three kilns described above will be replaced by a new kiln for the incineration of waste. The reason for constructing a new kiln is two-fold: firstly, that the old kilns are worn-out and will require considerable resources to be spent on renovation, and secondly that the EU has approved a new directive on air pollution from incineration plants, which will also result in heavy costs for improved cleaning of the flue gas on the old plant. When the new kiln is commissioned in 25, the two oldest ovens will be taken out of service and the kiln that was built in 1991 will be used as a reserve. Following the commissioning of the new kiln, the whole waste incineration plant will have a total thermal capacity of 66.7 MW, which means that the plant will be able to burn more than 16, tonnes of waste per year. In addition to the operation of the waste incineration plant, Reno-Nord is also responsible for a controlled landfill site and a concrete-crushing plant, as well as for the reception and treatment of electronic scrap materials and refrigerator and freezer appliances. 65

66 66 Clearer waters. Life in the Limfjord around Aalborg is now flourishing once again thanks to continued improvements in the treatment of waste water. Photo: Dan Kaasby

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68 THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES Stigsborg Brygge 5 94 Nørresundby [email protected] CITY OF AALBORG