Årsta – GrowSmarter

The City of Stockholm will be fossil-free and climate-positive by 2040, and also has the goal of becoming the world’s smartest city. GrowSmarter is an EU project in which three fast-growing cities – Stockholm, Barcelona and Cologne – have collaborated with members of the business community and academia to introduce smart solutions that contribute to achieving the cities’ ambitious climate and sustainability goals.

In GrowSmarter, Stockholmshem has teamed up with Skanska to increase the energy efficiency of 1960s-era buildings by more than 60% by implementing smart heating systems, recycling wastewater heat, and installing high-performance climate shells. Stockholm Exergi has used waste heat from data centres and grocery stores to heat over 1,000 apartments. L&T has reduced the need for purchased electricity by more than 30% in apartment blocks, and in Stockholm’s Meatpacking District, Slaktkyrkan has undergone extensive renovation incorporating transparent solar cells in combination with battery storage and smart control. The Traffic Administration Office has reduced electricity use in street lighting by between 20 and 30%.

GrowSmarter shows that Stockholm can grow sustainably with smart technology. Waste heat from data centres can heat the 140,000 apartments planned for 2030. Optically sorted waste disposed of in refuse vacuum pipes takes up little space, reduces waste transport by 90%, and creates a safe living environment. Sensors and artificial intelligence can provide real-time traffic information and control the flow of people and vehicles in our growing city. The lessons learned from GrowSmarter will be essential in the development of the Stockholm Green Innovation District.