Northern nations face unique challenges on their path to clean energy: cold winters, fluctuating energy demands, and growing reliance on intermittent sources like wind and solar power. A new study from KTH Royal Institute of Technology [59.35°N, 18.01°E] into Sweden’s energy system shows that balancing renewable energy, particularly wind power, with innovative storage solutions like hydrogen and thermal energy, can help overcome these obstacles. This approach provides a clear and useful model for all countries working towards a sustainable future.
Key Strategies for 100% Renewable Energy
Sweden aims to achieve a fossil-free energy system by 2045, and its approach includes:
- Wind Power as the Backbone:
- Sweden plans a significant expansion of onshore and offshore wind capacity to meet future energy demands.
- Wind power is ideal for northern regions, where strong and steady winds prevail, especially during winter months.
- Thermal Energy Storage (TES) for District Heating:
- TES systems store excess energy as heat, which can later be distributed to homes and industries.
- Coupled with heat pumps, TES makes district heating systems more flexible, allowing surplus wind power to provide reliable warmth during peak demand.
- In Sweden, TES reduces the reliance on boilers and combined heat and power plants (CHP), cutting fuel use by 2–3% annually.
- Hydrogen Storage (HS) for Industry and Energy Balance:
- Excess renewable electricity is used to produce hydrogen via electrolysis, storing energy for later use.
- Hydrogen plays a crucial role in decarbonising heavy industries, such as steel production, which are traditionally reliant on coal and natural gas.
- When demand for hydrogen is significant, as in Sweden’s future plans, this storage technology can integrate an additional 6–9% of wind energy into the system.
Why This Matters for the Global North
For countries above 49° north, Sweden’s blueprint offers valuable lessons:
- Managing Seasonal Energy Demands:
- Northern countries experience sharp increases in energy use during cold winters. Sweden’s use of TES and heat pumps showcases how surplus renewable energy can be stored and used to meet heating demands sustainably.
- Flexibility for Intermittent Renewables:
- Wind and solar energy are abundant but inconsistent. By coupling renewables with smart storage systems like TES and hydrogen, energy grids remain stable even during dips in production.
- Industrial Transformation:
- Heavy industries, vital to northern economies, can use hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, reducing emissions without sacrificing production. Projects like HYBRIT in Sweden aim to make fossil-free steel a reality.
- Cost Savings Through Integration:
- Integrating energy storage across electricity, heating, and industrial sectors reduces overall energy costs. For example, thermal energy storage in Sweden led to marginal cost reductions of 0.7%, proving its economic feasibility.
A Model for Sustainable Living
For individuals and communities across the Global North, this research highlights actionable ways to support the energy transition:
- Support Local Renewables: Prioritising investments in wind and solar projects ensures cleaner and more resilient energy.
- Upgrade Heating Systems: Switching to district heating networks powered by heat pumps can reduce reliance on fossil fuels for warmth.
- Embrace Hydrogen Technologies: From industrial supply chains to hydrogen-powered vehicles, supporting hydrogen initiatives accelerates the shift to cleaner energy.
A Roadmap for a Climate-Neutral Future
Sweden’s energy plan shows that a 100% renewable system is possible when we integrate renewable energy with innovative storage technologies and sector-wide solutions. While challenges remain, such as scaling up infrastructure and addressing biomass limitations, the study proves that northern countries have the tools to achieve climate neutrality.
By embracing these lessons, nations across the Global North can lead the charge towards a sustainable, fossil-free future—one where wind, hydrogen, and smart storage systems power cleaner industries, warmer homes, and a greener planet.
Source
Harnessing hydrogen and thermal energy storage: Sweden’s path to a 100% renewable energy system by 2045, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025-03
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