Construction boom in Gothenburg creates high demand for innovative sustainable solutions
Insulation manufactured from eelgrass and custom solar panels for facades and roofs. Just some of the sustainable solutions presented at the Living Lab on 8 May 2019 in Gothenburg. The Living Lab event was organized in the context of Northern Connections – to create innovation connections between enterprises and clusters in the energy sector. Energy Valley, part of New Energy Coalition, is one of the partners in Northern Connections.
The aim of the Living Lab Event was to acquaint various companies and organizations in, for example the construction and property sector with new, innovative solutions for fossil-free construction. There were around 150 participants from 8 countries who networked and made important new business contacts. It is expected that many will lead to solid new deals.
27 companies represented
More than 40 SME’s were interested in participating and presenting their products and solutions at the event. Eventually, 17 of them were selected to make a two-minute pitch on stage and meet individually with interested parties. Ten additional companies also participated and set up exhibitions.
“We made many new contacts here. It’s been a great event…much larger than I expected too!” says Kirsten Lynge from the Danish company Læsø and one of the founders of Læsø Zostera. Læsø Zostera uses a long-established way of harvesting eelgrass that has washed ashore. They then use modern methods to turn the grass into environmentally-friendly, highly-effective insulation for buildings.
A trend in the market
Xavier Flasse from ISSOL, a company that offers custom integrated solar panels for roofs and facades, sees a trend in the market. Flasse: “There is great interest, not least in Scandinavia, in creating attractive shell structures for buildings, which can also convert solar energy to electricity. What went on here today confirms the trend that we’re seeing in the market right now. There is definitely a growing demand for climate-smart products and solutions.”
Organization
The event was organized by Business Region Göteborg, Innovatum and Sustainable Business Hub within the scope of Northern Connections – a partnership of 22 clusters, cities, regions and knowledge institutions working together to create innovation connections between enterprises and clusters in the energy sector.
>>See the video from the Living Lab in Gothenburg here!
Next upcoming Living Lab event in Hamburg
On June 13 a similar Living Labs event will take place in Hamburg organized by the energy cluster in Hamburg and the city of Flensburg. This time there will be two Living Lab cases presented about new sustainable urban developments in Hamburg as well as the region of Flensburg. The focus of these Living Labs will be on District Energy Supply Solutions (power, heat & cooling) and Sustainable Mobility Solutions like charging infrastructure, e-mobility, car-sharing etc. For more information about this event, please contact Jannes Kalfsbeek: j.kalfsbeek@newenergycoalition.org. Or register here.
