This challenge is part of the City Solutions Platform Live @ BLOXHUB event as part of the C40 World Mayors’ Summit 2019 in Copenhagen on 9th October 2019.
Find out what happened at the CSP Live Event in this video:
Helsinki’s goal is to be carbon-neutral by the year 2035. Currently, about 56 % of Helsinki’s carbon dioxide emissions originate from the production of energy used for heating. In 2018, 53 % of the district heating in Helsinki was produced with coal. The decision concerning the shutdown of the other main coal-fired power plant before 2024 has already been approved and due to the government’s decision to ban energy use of coal as of 2029, the coal-based production must cease completely.
Coal is currently used to such a large extent that there are not enough heat sources not based on combustion that could entirely replace the use of coal. It has thus been planned that part of the heat produced with coal will be replaced with biomass-based production, based on combustion. The current indicative investment plan to replace coal would result in relatively high utilisation of biomass in heat generation in Helsinki. However, the use of biomass is problematic; for example its emissions are equivalent to those of coal measured at the chimney, and extensive use can have negative consequences on biodiversity. Also the logistical challenges may be considerable.
The City of Helsinki seeks innovative long-term solutions for producing emissions-free heat without biomass in Helsinki. To find solutions, there will be an international competition: how can coal be replaced in the heating of Helsinki with as much carbon-neutrality as possible and as little biomass as possible?
Find out more details about the CSP Live workshop HERE
The Energy Challenge Competition
The competition will be arranged to provide all parties with an equal opportunity to bring their solutions to the table for evaluation according to the same terms. The innovative & comprehensive solution will probably be formed of solutions complementary to each other, where the goal is to fit together the most functional, ecological, sociological and economically sustainable package for the City. The solutions should be implementable before 2029 to prepare for the coal ban, and should majorly impact the heating system of Helsinki.
The City Solutions Platform Live event forms a part of the City of Helsinki’s preparations for its international competition. The Helsinki Energy Challenge officially launched on 27th February 2020. To find out more about the international competition, visit: https://energychallenge.hel.fi/
CLICK HERE to read the workshop report.