Textiles reused for climate smart events - A simplified LCA Since 2022, the outdoor music festival Way Out West has been talking about climate and sustainable festivals.

For the third year in a row, the event has started with the Greentopia climate stage, where researchers, artists, and community debaters discuss everything from sustainable tours to festival fashion, and how “the music and festival industry can accelerate the climate transition.” Since 2024, there has been a record audience of over 70,000 visitors during the festival days.

The project Solutions for climate-smart events was initiated by, among others, Göteborg & Co and Got Event AB, which are all part of the City of Gothenburg. Got Event arranges sports, culture and entertainment at several arenas in the city. To reduce the climate impact of clothing consumption, recycled event clothing has been developed. There is clothing consumption that mostly affects organizers, such as official clothing. There is also clothing consumption that affects visitors, such as festival merchandise.

To reduce climate emissions from events, recycled event clothing has been tested. This was done in collaboration with Science Park Borås and the project “circular event clothing” and “looped care clothing”. 1. For the event “Way out West” in 2022, “looped care clothing” has been created in collaboration with textile designers and comes from healthcare professionals in Gothenburg City. 2. Since then, all festival merch from “Way out West” in 2023 has consisted of “recycled second-hand clothing” from Stadsmissionen. 3. For the event “West Pride” in 2023, “looped event clothing” has been created and comes from healthcare professionals in Dalarna.

This has been done in collaboration with the textile service company Elis. This report maps and calculates how much climate impact will be reduced by using recycled event clothing and recycled visitor clothing (festival merch). This is compared to new clothing, such as official clothing or visitor clothing (festival merch).

The following results have been developed during the project period: Recycled event clothing will reduce climate impact. 65-70% reduced climate impact between new and remanufacturing (care clothing). 40-50% reduced climate impact between new and remanufacturing (festival merch). 55-75% reduced climate impact between new and remanufacturing (Care T-shirts).

The following lessons have been developed during the project period: It is important that transport and printing can be crucial for recycled event clothing. It is important that the garments are used as long as possible, which is crucial. It is important to choose a neural design, so that the garments are used longer. It is important to have removable prints, so that the garments are used more times.

Denna rapport utforskar vilka typer av satsningar på regional och lokal nivå som har stor potential att bidra till att minska resurs- och klimatpåverkan kopplat till privatkonsumtion. Rapporten syftar också till att underlätta för regionala och lokala aktörer att rikta och prioritera sina styrmedel. Med endast fem år kvar till 2030 gäller det för samtliga aktörer att lägga i nästa växel för att konsumtionsmålen ska kunna nås.

I rapporten har Västra Götalandsregionens konsumtionsmål använts som utgångspunkt: ”Utsläppen av växthusgaser från konsumtion ska minska med 30% från 2010 till 2030”. Rapportens fokus ligger på materiell konsumtion av sällanköpsvaror samt tjänster och upplevelser riktade mot privatpersoner. De insikter och rekommendationer som presenteras i denna rapport bygger på intervjuer med utvalda nyckelpersoner inom regional och kommunal utveckling samt arbetssessioner med representanter från forskningsorganisationer med fokus på hållbar konsumtion och cirkulär ekonomi. Därtill har utvalda regioners och kommuners nuvarande arbete samt tidigare forskning kopplat till hållbar privatkonsumtion också studerats.

I rapporten presenteras ett ramverk som illustrerar viktiga förflyttningsområden med bäring på privatkonsumtion samt viktiga ansatser som kan bidra till att framtida satsningar får stor effekt. Utifrån de identifierade förflyttningsbehoven och ansatserna har ett huvudsakligt fokusområde för satsningar identifierats tillsammans med fyra prioriterade satsningsområden. Rekommendationen är att satsningar på regional och lokal nivå för att minska resurs- och klimatpåverkan kopplat till privatkonsumtion i huvudsak bör fokusera på: att adressera målgrupperna med högst utsläpp och verka för ett skifte till praktiker och samhällsnormer som leder till materiell konsumtion i linje med konsumtionsmålen.

Följande satsningsområden anses vara extra viktiga för att nå konsumtionsmålen:

I. Identifiera viktiga målgrupper och de praktiker och normer som driver deras ohållbar konsumtion.

II. Engagera målgrupperna och samskapa de skiften som behövs genom experimenterande.

III. Tillhandahålla hållbara alternativ för att tillfredsställa underliggande behov.

IV. Tillgängliggöra platser och sammanhang som underlättar förändrade praktiker och normer.

Rapporten innehåller närmare beskrivningar av förflyttningsbehoven, viktiga ansatser, huvudfokus och prioriterade områden för satsningar på regional och lokal nivå, samt exempel på typer av insatser inom varje satsningsområde. Regionala och lokala aktörer kan nyttja rapporten för att prioritera, utforma och rikta styrmedel och satsningar så att de bidrar till de förflyttningar som krävs för att privatkonsumtionen ska ligga i linje med konsumtionsmålen.

Analysis of fatal fires in Norway in the 2015-2020 period 

 This project is a continuation of the project "Analysis of fatal fires in Norway in the 2005-2014 period" and has collected and analysed data on fatal fires in Norway in the 2015-2020 period. The project is financed by The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and Norwegian Building Authority (DiBK) as part of the project portfolio under the research agreement between DSB and RISE Fire Research. The aim of the project has been to analyse fire statistics and other sources to find out who dies in fires and why they die, and the project may also address which targeted measures can be implemented to reduce the number of fire fatalities. In addition, the project has analysed data from fatal fires in Finnmark in the 2005-2014 period which was not part of the report "Analysis of fatal fires in Norway in the 2005-2014 period". The project has focused on fatal fires that have occurred in buildings. Initially, the following research questions were defined: 1. Which risk factors are associated with those who perish in fires in Norway? 2. What are the causes of fatal fires in Norway?

Noisy journeys: An investigation of the sound environment in an incubator during ambulance transports

Each year, between 300 and 350 transports are carried out by the Neonatal Transport Team Göteborg in Västra Götaland Region (VGR). The majority of these transports (approximately 80 %) are conducted using road ambulances, and most patients are premature infants born before 37 weeks of gestation. The central nervous system of premature infants is not sufficiently developed, resulting in a reduced ability to self-regulate and selectively limit or inhibit incoming stimuli, thereby increasing their vulnerability to stress and its negative physiological effects. Noise is one of the main stress-inducing stimuli that premature infants are exposed to in the extrauterine environment. Unlike the acoustic environment of the womb, which is characterized by low-frequency background noise where the mother’s voice stands out distinctly, the extrauterine environment in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) or during transport is dominated by unpredictable and highly variable sounds with a broad frequency spectrum. Research has shown that high noise levels can cause serious health effects in premature infants and negatively impact their growth and healing processes. Results from noise measurements conducted during neonatal transports with VGR’s incubator transport ambulance indicate that the transported infants are frequently exposed to noise levels exceeding 70 dB(A), with peak levels surpassing 110 dB(C), which are far above the guidelines for perinatal care established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This study examines the noise levels in VGR’s incubator transport ambulance as well as the infants’ heart rates during transport. The report also outlines the various guidelines and requirements for noise in environments where neonatal infants receive care and highlights the discrepancies between these standards. The aim of this study is to provide an overview and analysis of the auditory environment to which premature and sick neonatal infants are exposed during ambulance transports in incubator and to serve as a basis for future measures to protect infants from harmful noise during transport.

Processer och samarbetsmodeller för transporteffektiva stadsdelar i medelstora kommuner: Om STARK-projektet Ur fallstudier i fyra mellanstora svenska kommuner identifierades framgångsrika metoder, lösningar och affärs- och samarbetsmodeller för hur kommuner tillsammans med fastighetsägare och mobilitetsleverantörer kan skapa transporteffektiva stadsdelar. Kunskaperna sammanfattades i en tillämpbar handbok. Hur områden planeras, utformas och vilka mobilitetslösningar som erbjuds har stor påverkan på behovet av att äga och använda bil, vilket i sin tur påverkar hur stora ytor som går åt till parkering och annan infrastruktur liksom hur mycket fossila bränslen och annan energi som går åt till att flytta människor och varor. För att sänka p-talen subventionerar idag enskilda fastighetsägare mobilitetstjänster men tillgängligheten och nyttjande är ofta lågt. För att vara bärkraftiga och få effekt måste lösningarna vara stadsdelsövergripande och samarbetsmodellerna långsiktiga. De behöver också kunna tillämpas i befintliga områden. Baserat på fallstudier i fyra mellanstora svenska kommuner identifierade projektet framgångsrika metoder, lösningar och affärs-och samarbetsmodeller för hur kommuner tillsammans med fastighetsägare och mobilitetsleverantörer kan skapa transporteffektiva stadsdelar. Kunskaperna har sammanfattats i en tillämpbar handbok och spridits via workshops, konferenser och artiklar.

Hur områden planeras, utformas och vilka mobilitetslösningar som erbjuds har stor påverkan på behovet av att äga och använda bil, vilket i sin tur påverkar hur stora ytor som går åt till parkering och annan infrastruktur liksom hur mycket fossila bränslen och annan energi som går åt till att flytta människor och varor. Genom sänkta parkeringstal kombinerat med tillgängliggörande av mobilitetsåtgärder kan behovet av resande med privatägd bil minska och på så sätt bidra till ökad transporteffektivitet. För att vara bärkraftiga och få effekt måste lösningarna vara stadsdelsövergripande och samarbetsmodellerna långsiktiga. De behöver också kunna tillämpas i befintliga områden. Baserat på fallstudier i fyra mellanstora svenska kommuner identfieras metoder och processer för hur kommuner tillsammans med fastighetsägare och mobilitetsleverantörer kan skapa transporteffektiva stadsdelar. Handboken baseras på kunskapsutvecklingen som gjorts tillsammans med de medverkande städerna. Genom dialog och workshops har kunskap syntetiserats och konkretiserats i en handbok som kan vara till nytta för andra kommuner som genomgår motsvarande processer. Syftet med handboken är att stötta kommuner och fastighetsutvecklare i deras arbete med att planera transporteffektiva stadsdelar, då detta är ett område som ännu inte har stöd i arbetsprocesser och lagstiftning. Handboken upplägg är samordnat med plan- och bygglagens skeden för att stötta hur etablerade arbetssätt kan utvecklas. Målgruppen är tjänstepersoner och politiker men även fastighetsägare, fastighetsutvecklare och mobilitetstjänsteleverantörer som vill förstå vilka förutsättningar som planeringsprocessen skapar. Projektet har finansierats av Energimyndigheten, det har resulterat i denna handbok samt en huvudrapport som beskriver projektet som helhet inklusive kommunernas respektive delprojekt.

To control solids circulation and optimize design and operating parameters in a circulating fluidized bed full-loop system, measurement and modeling of solids flow behaviors in an aerated standpipe and inclined pipe were conducted. Different aeration gas flows were injected at the inclined pipe, which was equipped with different orifice sizes of 37 mm, 54 mm and 75 mm, for regulating solids flow rates. The magnetic tracer-tracking method, which only needs to inject one small magnetic tracer for each measurement to follow the main solids flow, was successfully demonstrated for measuring sand particles’ real-time discharge rates, with good accuracy and no calibration requirement. A mathematical model was constructed to predict solids discharge rates and investigate the adverse effect of the pressure gradient in the standpipe bed in a full loop fluidized bed system. The optimization of the solids-return and circulation unit could therefore be achieved with the tools developed in this study.

This article describes the architecture life cycle effect analysis (ALCEA) method, a structured method for evaluating proposed new architectures for software-intensive systems. The method evaluates a proposed architecture by quantifying its effect on the performance of system life-cycle phases. The method is instantiated by identifying the relevant life-cycle phases of the system under investigation and a set of evaluation functions that capture, in terms of basic factors, the effect of different architectural decisions on key life-cycle PAs, such as revenue, operating resources, and investments. The method results in a transparent cost and revenue structure, documented in a tabular form, based on quantifiable factors from the developing organization. The results of the method can be used directly as part of a business case, and their robustness can be estimated by sensitivity analysis. The ALCEA method is designed for system-level architectural analysis, covering both software and hardware aspects. In this article, we introduce the ALCEA method and provide a detailed example of how to apply it in the evolution of embedded systems. Moreover, we share early experiences of using the method in large-scale industrial settings.

This article provides a concise insight into the thermoforming of airlaid CTMP pulp. First, the airlaid process was studied, showing that fiber fractionation and the retention of fines occurred in the forming head. Then, the effect of temperature and pressure during thermoforming was investigated. Harsher conditions, i.e. higher temperature and pressure, yielded greater densification of the substrate and higher tensile strength. The maximum strength was found at the highest settings tested, that is, 100 MPa and 200°C. The screening of thermoforming conditions was also compared to previously published results on wetforming. Next, the effect of softwood CTMP pulp was delineated, which on average showed the best mechanical properties at elevated freeness and high degrees of bleaching. At last, a comparison between dry forming and wetforming was made for one selected pulp quality. Here, the dryformed substrates were stiffer at low elongation, yet the wetformed substrates yielded a greater extensibility and higher tensile strength. In conclusion, dryformed pulp mostly relies on temperature and pressure for bond formation during thermoforming, which produces materials that are distinctly different from wetformed molded pulp. 

Firefighters risk heat strain during occupational tasks when exposed to extremely hot environmental conditions and performing high-intensity work. Relevant training scenarios are there-fore essential. This study investigated the effect of a single simulated smoke dive and the following recovery phase on physiological and perceptual responses. Nineteen professional male firefighters (43 ± 8 yr) performed a 2-min stair walk and a15-min simulated smoke dive in a two-floor heat chamber (110°C to 272°C) (HEAT), followed by a 5-min stair walk outside the heat chamber. Heart rate (HR), gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi) and skin temperatures were registered continuously during the test. The Tgi increased significantly from the start (37.5 ± 0.3°C) to the end of HEAT (38.4 ± 0.4°C) and further increased after the heat exposure (39.6 ± 0.5°C). The HR also increased significantly from the start (92 ± 14 bpm) to the end of HEAT (185 ± 13 bpm) and increased after the heat exposure to a maximum of 190 ± 13 bpm. The simulated smoke dive induced high physiological strain on the firefighters, and the increase in Tgi and HR after the hot exposure must be considered during live fire events when repeated smoke dives are required. 

The hole expansion ratio (HER) observed in a standardized hole expansion test (HET) is commonly used to determine the edge fracture of steel sheets. A large variation of the measured HER restricts the practical application of the method. This study presents a systematic investigation on uncertainties in the HER of DP800 sheet material, including the hole-edge quality, pre-strain due to the hole-punching process, the friction coefficient, and the determination of fracture. An artificial neural network was trained to develop a surrogate model using a database gained from a thousand finite element simulations of the HET. Monte-Carlo simulations were performed using the trained surrogate model to characterize the distribution of the HER. Sensitivity analysis via Sobol’s indices is calculated to determine the influence of the input variables on the output. It is found that the pre-strain and pre-damage generated during the hole punching process in the shear-affected zone dominate the variation of the HER. Discussions on reducing the output’s variation are detailed. In general, these findings provide valuable insights for the determination of HER as well as the edge crack behavior of the investigated DP800 steel sheet. 

This article studied the carboxylation of technical lignin and subsequent use as emulsion stabilizer. Oxidation was conducted with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions. As both titration and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed, phenolic units were converted to carboxyl groups by oxidation. The treatment was most effective for soda lignin from Arkansas/straw, but also had significant effect on the softwood kraft lignin and softwood soda lignin. An increase in molecular weight by size-exclusion chromatography was further noted, which was less pronounced for the Arkansas/straw lignin. It was argued that one contributing mechanism was the monolignol composition, as the lignin from annual plants also contained S-units in addition to the G-units that mostly made up the softwood lignin. Moreover, purification prior to oxidation, i.e., removal of inorganic components in the lignin, showed no significant effect on the carboxylation process. Emulsion stabilization was studied with respect to the pH using three oxidized kraft lignins. Here, lower pH yielded better emulsion stabilization, unless the lignin precipitated, which switched the stabilization mechanism from interfacial adsorption to particle stabilization. It was argued that the degree of ionization played a key role, as a lower degree of ionization corresponded with better emulsion stability at the same ionic strength. At last, measurements of interfacial tension and interfacial rheology found that oxidized lignin behaved similar to water-soluble lignosulfonates and created viscoelastic interface layers. 

The global supply chain and logistics industry is a self-organizing ecosystem consisting of numerous actors that work together to move goods from end to end. The different stakeholders involved are usually interdependent organizations, like freight forwarders, carriers, terminals, and homeland security agencies and information exchange between them is required to coordinate the activities along the individual transport chains. However, the exchange of information has often been analog, flawed, late, and incomplete. New circumstances, like unprecedented supply chain disruptions, new regulatory requirements around greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and generally growing shipper expectations create an urgent need for improved data sharing between actors. New technologies, like digital platforms, networks, and architectures as well as social media, mobile, analytics, cloud, and internet of things (SMACT) have brought some improvements, but not the required holistic digital perspective required or expected. Averages and approximations are usually insufficient to close data gaps, e.g., only primary data allows for accurate GHG emission calculations. Primary data sharing is widely seen as the missing piece of the puzzle. Primary data is data from the source providing an accurate state and picture of a situation. Primary data sharing at scale requires a new form of digital collaboration. We propose a rethink of digital collaboration as a means for broader primary private data sharing for complete end-to-end datasets and data quality, particularly focusing on the sharing of data associated with both transport plans and progress made in the respective movements of goods for more better disruption and carbon footprint management through more accurate calculations of estimated times of arrival (ETA) and GHG emissions. We introduce an example for digital collaboration in end-to-end supply chains that is focusing specifically on primary data sharing. The new thinking around digital collaboration manifests itself in the Virtual Watch Tower / VWT initiative (www.virtualwatchtower.org). In 2022, RISE and Singapore Maritime Institute signed a collaboration agreement focused on innovation in shipping. The VWT initiative is the first collaborative project under the umbrella of this partnership. The VWT is led by RISE, A*STAR, and VTT. VWT is a community-driven, digitally empowered initiative, a cargo owner-driven, and terminal-centric approach for improved supply chain management. It is the users themselves who co-create and co-evolve the solution that they need. The initiative aims to create a community that shapes the digital tool (VWTnet) they need to reach the required higher levels of visibility. This, through primary data sharing across the supply chain ecosystem and between actors (VWT Users) participating in individual end-to-end transports (VWT Shipments). The VWT serves as an object of research to hone the new thinking and understand the implications of its implementation. 

Inom ramen för Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskaps (MSB) pågående arbete med uppbyggnaden av räddningstjänst under höjd beredskap (RUHB) sker utveckling av bland annat förmågan till indikering och sanering av kemiska, biologiska och radioaktiva ämnen anpassad till dagens hotbild. Som en del i underlaget för utvecklingen har information om olika metoder för indikering och personsanering inom räddningstjänst inhämtats från omvärlden.

The crack development in quasi-brittle granite and brittle gneiss under mode I loading condition was monitored using digital image correlation (DIC) technique during wedge splitting tests. The cracking behavior was studied on granite specimens that were split in one material direction, perpendicular to the rift plane, and gneiss specimens that were split in three different material directions, parallel and perpendicular to the foliation (along and across a lineation). The granite specimens had a saw cut 5 mm-wide notch and a blunt round notch in form of a 32 mm borehole. The gneiss specimens had a saw cut notch. The results from the DIC measurements revealed a meandering and branching crack path for the granite, whereas a smoother crack path for the gneiss with almost no branching. This behavior was confirmed by microscopy images from thin sections taken from specimens after testing. The thin sections showed that the fractures were prone to propagate across grains in the more coarse-grained granite than in the fine-grained gneiss, where the fractures propagated almost entirely along grain boundaries. The crack initiation occurred mainly in the corner of the saw cut notches and centrally in the round notch. However, the initiation locations in the granite were affected by the medium- to coarse-grained microstructure with grains preventing initiation and propagation which yielded displaced positions out from the ideal ones with respect to the highest stress in some cases. The crack opening displacement was determined along the crack path from the DIC measurements at 12 stages on each specimen of the advancing crack during the splitting progress. The critical crack opening displacement and length of the fracture process zone were assessed and the crack front position yielding the crack length along the tests was determined. The results showed a critical crack length when the deformations in the ligament (also called plastic hinge) affected the cracking process. The average crack velocity in gneiss during the test was more than twice as high as in the granite. This is attributed to a combined effect of the higher brittleness in the gneiss and the effect of a too large elastic energy in the specimen and test setup in relation to the dissipated fracture energy which made the initial crack propagation in the gneiss specimens nearly unstable. The strain energy release rate was calculated along the crack propagation and showed a lower value when the crack lengths were less than 40–60 mm. The calculation of the strain energy release rate was made on crack length measurements from DIC results. The results from the investigation were discussed in relation to the few other similar results found in the literature. The findings give an insight and understanding of the cracking process via both qualitative and quantitative results. Several used methods were novel or not used together in a single study as in this one.

To meet the new regulation for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure which sets targets for electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure by 2025 or 2030, a large infrastructure comprising truck-suitable hydrogen refuelling stations will soon be required. However, further standardisation is required to support the uptake of hydrogen for heavy-duty transport for Europe’s green energy future. Hydrogen-powered vehicles require pure hydrogen as some contaminants can reduce the performance of the fuel cell even at very low levels. Even if previous projects have paved the way for the development of the European quality infrastructure for hydrogen conformity assessment, sampling systems and methods have yet to be developed for heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling stations (HD-HRS). This study reviews different aspects of the sampling of hydrogen at heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling stations for purity assessment, with a focus on the current and future specifications and operations at HD-HRS. This study describes the state-of-the art of sampling systems currently under development for use at HD-HRS and highlights a number of aspects which must be taken into consideration to ensure safe and accurate sampling: risk assessment for the whole sampling exercise, selection of cylinders, methods to prepare cylinders before the sampling, filling pressure, and venting of the sampling systems. 

The 3D micro- and nanostructure of wood has extensively been employed as a template for cost-effective and renewable electronic technologies. However, other electroactive components, in particular native lignin, have been overlooked due to the absence of an approach that allows access of the lignin through the cell wall. In this study, we introduce an approach that focuses on establishing conjugated-polymer-based electrical connections at various length scales within the wood structure, aiming to leverage the charge storage capacity of native lignin in wood-based energy storage electrodes. We demonstrate that poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) PEDOT/PSS, integrated within the cell wall lumen, can be interfaced with native lignin through the wood cell wall through in situ polymerization of a water-soluble S-EDOT monomer. This approach increases the capacitance of the conductive wood to 315 mF cm-2 at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1, which is seven and, respectively, two times higher compared to the capacitance of conductive wood made with the single components PEDOT/PSS or S-PEDOT. Moreover, we show that the capacitance is contributed by both the electroactive polymers and native lignin, with native lignin accounting for over 70% of the total charge storage capacity. We show that accessing native lignin through in situ creation of electrical interconnections within the wood structure offers a pathway toward sustainable, wood-based electrodes with improved charge-storage capacity for applications in electronics and energy storage.

The rise in global temperature and accumulation of petroleum-based wastes in the environment forces the scientific focus towards renewable alternatives. In the present work, an under-exploited resource – spruce bark – is investigated as a raw material for production of bio-oil as a liquid energy carrier. To enhance the energy-content of the produced bio-crude, ultimately being produced through hydrothermal liquefaction, the polysaccharides were extracted through organosolv fractionation and converted to lipids by oleaginous microorganisms. The effect originating from tannins was also investigated by performing a pre-extraction before the organosolv fractionation. It was found that performing the organosolv fractionation and upgrading the isolated organosolv lignin to bio-oil greatly reduced the oxygen content of the oil fraction thereby improving its energy content, and introducing upgraded polysaccharides in the form of lipids, as well as pre-extracted tannins, caused clear changes in the product distribution of the final bio-oil and kept a final product with low oxygen content. The other factor largely influencing the product distribution originated from the various heating rates tested by altering operational mode of the HTL process between batch and semi-continuous. Ultimately, performing the organosolv fractionation and individual upgrading of the polysaccharides had a beneficial effect on reducing the final solids content and enhancing the liquid oil yield. 

Industrial heating significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for a substantial portion of annual emissions. The transition to fossil-free operations in the heating industry is closely linked to advancements in industrial electrical heating systems, especially those using resistance heating wires. In this context, Prognostics and Health Management is crucial for enhancing system reliability and sustainability through predictive maintenance strategies. The integration of machine learning technologies into Prognostics and Health Management has significantly improved the precision and applicability of Remaining Useful Life modeling. This improvement enables more accurate predictions of component lifespans, optimizes maintenance schedules, and enhances operational efficiency in industrial heating applications. These developments are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the sector. This paper serves as a guide for conducting Remaining Useful Life modeling for industrial batch processes. It evaluates and compares two methodologies: deep learning-based approaches using full time-series data, such as recurrent neural networks and their variants, and feature-engineering-based methods, including random forest regression and support vector machines. Our results show that the feature-oriented approach performs better overall in terms of predictive accuracy and computational efficiency. The study includes a detailed sensitivity analysis and hyperparameter estimation for each method, providing valuable insights into developing robust and transparent Prognostics and Health Management systems. These systems are crucial in supporting the heating industry’s move towards more sustainable and emission-free operations. The findings reveal that feature-oriented methods are both performant and robust, particularly excelling in handling outliers. The random forest regression model, in particular, demonstrated the highest performance on the test dataset according to the chosen evaluation metrics. Conversely, trajectory-oriented methods exhibited less bias across varying levels of degradation, a helpful characteristic for Prognostics and Health Management systems. While feature-oriented methods tend to systematically underestimate Remaining Useful Life at high true values and overestimate it at low actual values, this issue is less pronounced in trajectory-oriented models. Overall, these insights highlight the strengths and limitations of each approach, guiding the development of more effective and reliable predictive maintenance strategies.

This article elucidates the dissolution of cellulose from different raw materials in NaOH aqueous solution via the combination of synchrotron-radiation-based SAXS/WAXS characterization. The X-ray measurements probed the mesostructure of the cellulose samples during the freeze-thawing cycle allowing tracking the initial swelling of the structure, the kinetics of disintegration of the cellulose crystallites as well as controlling the final state of the cellulose solution, i.e. presence or absence of cellulose aggregates. The individual SAXS and WAXS measurements were fitted and modelled to enable visualisation and tracking of the changes in the structure in relation to temperature during cooling and warming phases. To further increase the understanding of the parameters affecting dissolution different cellulose samples and solution compositions were considered. For this purpose the effect of increasing the concentration of NaOH and adding Zn2+ has been carefully investigated as well as the importance of the cellulose origin. We found consistent development that the dissolution occurs faster at higher concentrations of NaOH and with Zn2+ regardless the origin. Nevertheless, SAXS data show that materials with a larger amount of cellulose I show more apparent swelling in mesoscopic structure than bleached agricultural containing cellulose II. Despite few crystalline residues after the complete cooling-heating cycle shown by WAXS, some cellulose was not completely dissolved as some network structure remained in the samples under the test condition as suggested by SAXS. © The Author(s) 2024.

The class-wide restriction proposal on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the European Union is expected to affect a wide range of commercial sectors, including the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry, where both polymeric and low molecular weight PFAS are used. The PFAS restriction dossiers currently state that there is weak evidence for viable alternatives to the use of PFAS in LIBs. In this Perspective, we summarize both the peer-reviewed literature and expert opinions from academia and industry to verify the legitimacy of the claims surrounding the lack of alternatives. Our assessment is limited to the electrodes and electrolyte, which account for the most critical uses of PFAS in LIB cells. Companies that already offer or are developing PFAS-free electrode and electrolyte materials were identified. There are also indications that PFAS-free electrolytes are in development by at least one other company, but there is no information regarding the alternative chemistries being proposed. Our review suggests that it is technically feasible to make PFAS-free batteries for battery applications, but PFAS-free solutions are not currently well-established on the market. Successful substitution of PFAS will require an appropriate balance among battery performance, the environmental effects associated with hazardous materials and chemicals, and economic considerations.

Background: The use of welfare technology is gaining ground in municipal eldercare and is increasingly being integrated into everyday routines. However, the meanings that eldercare personnel attach to welfare technology in the care of older recipients, and thus the domestication of welfare technology, remain largely underexplored. This study explores how eldercare personnel understand and ascribe meanings to welfare technologies in their daily work, with the aim of understanding their domestication. Methods: The empirical material comprised 181 photographs, each paired with corresponding text, from 61 participants across four municipalities in southern Sweden. The empirical material was thematically analysed, focusing on different categories of welfare technologies and their ascribed meanings. In our coding “convenience” and at times “inconvenience” were interpreted as recurrent patterns. Their repeated presence across various contexts and the meanings ascribed to different welfare technologies prompted deeper interpretive engagement, leading us to adopt it as a key theme. In the final step, the codes were synthesised through the lens of “convenience” to better understand the meanings participants attached to welfare technology in eldercare work. Results: The participants ascribed meanings to welfare technology that resonate with broader societal and cultural understandings of technological solutionism, while aligning with national policies promoting welfare technology as a means of supporting safety, activity and independence for older adults. Welfare technology was often understood as both convenient and an act of care. Our analysis uncovered different dimensions of “convenience”, which we labelled as: “remote surveillance convenience”, “logistics convenience”, “communication convenience”, “safety convenience”, “comforting convenience” and “activation convenience”. Yet, in some cases, welfare technology was also seen as a hindrance to care, being inconvenient due to its inflexibility, technical difficulties and the tendency to create duplicate tasks. Conclusion: This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the domestication of welfare technology in eldercare. Our study found that eldercare personnel engage with and interpret welfare technologies by ascribing meanings related to perceived convenience — a concept not widely explored in this context. Welfare technologies were often seen as convenient substitutes for physical proximity and relational care, such as “remote surveillance convenience” through cameras and “comforting convenience” via robotic pets. However, convenience, while central to the participants’ experiences, should not be understood as inherently “good” or positive but as part of the domestication process, shaped by socio-technical contexts and the political economy of eldercare, which prioritises effectiveness and efficiency. By shedding light on these dynamics, our study examines how the domestication of welfare technology is shaped by and reinforces broader discourses of technological solutionism, raising questions about its long-term impact on care practices.

In the context of the circular economy, there is an urgent need for transformation into circular material flows by avoiding waste, reducing extraction of virgin raw materials, and extending product life cycles. Within the construction and real estate industry, the reuse of building materials stands out as a critical strategy for value retention. The objective of this paper is to localise the forefront of the practical implementation of reused materials within the Swedish construction and real estate industry. To achieve this, the current state of reuse practices through the perspective of property companies as clients in decision-making positions was conducted through semi-structured interviews to identify key barriers and enablers associated with reuse. The three most significant barriers that emerged were a lack of measurable economic incentives, the absence of a professional reuse market, and obsolete project management. Conversely, the three most significant enablers were new and improved project management methods, enhancing competence and learning within and beyond organisations, and introduce reuse at an early stage. The results emphasise the need for project management to develop and adopt circular economy principles. This is further understood due to responders highlighting the industry’s linear approach as a major obstacle to circularity together with uncertainties related to product performance, responsibilities and economics characterising reuse efforts. However, an industry in transition is witnessed, e.g. by the emergence of new roles which suggests a continued need for focused research in organisational matters.

Understanding and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of bottom trawl fisheries is of importance, as it directly impacts efforts to mitigate climate change and promotes sustainable fishing practices. As a considerable part of global landings is fished using demersal trawls and vessel renewal is often mentioned as an important mitigation measure. This study compares the greenhouse gas emissions of older and newer trawlers in the Icelandic fleet, using Life Cycle Assessment methodology with the functional unit “1 kg of demersally trawled fish at landing”. The global warming potential (kg CO2-eq) from older Icelandic bottom trawlers was assessed and compared to the newer ones, where older vessels were in some cases being decommissioned. A total of 11 trawlers were assessed, providing a cross section of the Icelandic bottom trawler fleet, with respect to age, size, catch composition and onboard operations. The results show that freezer trawling was more energy-intensive compared to trawlers landing their catches chilled/superchilled. Fleet renewal alone does not explain the reduction in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in the Icelandic bottom trawl fleet between 2012 and 2022, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach considering multiple factors such as catch composition, fishing ground, and vessel characteristics, which explained 87% of the emissions. Catching indicated increased fuel consumption compared to steaming. The greenhouse gas emissions allocated to each demersal fish species ranged on average from 0.5 to 1.0 kg CO2-eq/kg of the weight of demersal fish landed, and from 1.4 to 2.7 kg CO2-eq/kg of the edible part of demersal fish landed (mass allocation), where redfish stood out as having the highest emissions. 

This study explores the landscape of serious games for sustainable environmental education, focusing on game types, theoretical foundations, and pedagogical approaches to provide valuable insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers. Using an umbrella literature review methodology, it examines empirical studies published between 2006 and 2023 on serious games in this field. The findings reveal a growing interest in serious games for sustainability, highlighting advancements in gaming technologies. It also identifies various game types, theoretical perspectives, and pedagogical strategies used to promote sustainability education. The study offers a comprehensive overview of the role of serious games in fostering sustainable behaviors, synthesizing key empirical studies, frameworks, and practical applications. Its insights can help educators design and implement serious games that effectively integrate diverse pedagogical and theoretical approaches, enhancing learning outcomes and raising sustainability awareness..

Uppdaterade guider från informationscentrum för hållbart byggande

Det kan finnas många fördelar med att energieffektivisera sin byggnad. Samtidigt är varje byggnad är unik och det kan vara mycket att hålla reda på inför, under och efter energieffektiviseringen. Dessa guiderna syftar till att underlätta hållbar energieffektivisering av byggnader. Guiderna är framtagna och uppdaterade av experter på respektive område och innehåller samlad information och kunskap för att resultatet av arbetet ska bli så bra och hållbart som möjligt.

Bakgrund: Boverket fick 2017 ett regeringsuppdrag att upphandla ett informationscentrum för hållbart byggande (ICHB). Upphandlingen innebar att AB Svensk Byggtjänst blev leverantör av ICHB. ICHB drevs mellan 2017 till och med 2020 av Svensk byggtjänst tillsammans med RISE, Energikontoren Sverige, Sustainable Innovation och IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. Under den tiden togs det inom ramen för uppdraget bland annat fram ett antal guider inom olika områden.

Sedan 2021 har Boverket ett regeringsuppdrag att inrätta och förvalta ett informationscentrum för hållbart byggande med fokus på energieffektiviserande renovering. Inom det nuvarande uppdraget har RISE fått i uppdrag av Boverket att uppdatera och publicera ett urval av de guider som togs fram mellan 2017-2020.

Mer information om det nuvarande uppdraget finns hos Boverket. https://www.boverket.se/sv/byggande/uppdrag/uppdrag-att-inratta-ett-informationscentrum-for-hallbart-byggande/ 

Laws and regulations are needed to ensure a safe and successful introduction of automated vehicles (AVs) into the transportation system. Well-thought-out rules can maximise the technology’s benefits, minimise risks, and foster public trust. The project Network Automated Driving Regulations, focusing on regulatory aspects of automated driving (AD), brings together industry, authorities, and research at quarterly roundtables to enable dialogue and exchange experiences and knowledge that can help support companies to move forward in the AD arena in terms of technology development, testing, and implementation. Additionally, these roundtables provide valuable insights to authorities on how the industry reasons and interprets regulations, and allow authorities to provide input to industry and research. Outcome of the project can also support a smoother collaboration among actors both internationally and within Sweden. In this policy brief, we present some key points and highlights from the roundtable discussions during the first year since the network started. The discussions have revolved around: • The need to develop and adapt legislation for AVs and their use. • Implications related to driverless vehicles and remote drivers/operators in handling, for example, the warning triangle, police controls, emergency vehicles, loading and securing loads, etc. • What is needed in terms of physical and digital infrastructure for AVs.

This report provides information about life cycle based assessments to be used for developing safe and sustainable chemistry as they have been used in the Mistra SafeChem research programme. The requirement to consider a variety of aspects which are anchored in different research communities is rather novel, therefore it can be expected that adjustments and iterations will be necessary based on results from research programmes such as Mistra SafeChem. Background on established assessment contexts for chemical alternatives assessment and life cycle assessment and the integrated chemical footprint assessment is provided. The key models applied for sustainability assessment are USEtox and the framework for life cycle alternatives assessment and ProScale – all of them are under development and testing for a selection of application cases is therefore intended as a contribution to identify user needs, drivers and barriers for application. Separate case study reports are made available through the programme website for further reading on the current state of implementation. This report includes a synthetic case study to showcase application of tools and current challenges providing data, modelling and interpreting results. The Mistra SafeChem research programme will continue with more case studies and address gaps that have been identified in interdisciplinary work so far to enable the implementation of safe and sustainable chemistry principles.

The science of gastronomy is a context-sensitive and qualitative application of human knowledge. While qualitative content analysis is a widely recognized research method, it is time-consuming, and its results heavily depend on the analyst’s expertise. This study addresses these challenges by employing automated content analysis (ACA), including tools like VOSViewer and AntConc, alongside qualitative methods from systemic functional linguistics (SFL). By analyzing 25 interviews with various professionals in gastronomy, the research aims to reduce subjectivity in interpreting data and uncover the essence of being a gastronomic chef. The findings highlight the complexity of a chef’s role, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and innovation as key factors in delivering exceptional service and crafting the ultimate dining experience. Understanding a chef’s knowledge is crucial for enhancing service quality and comprehending consumer behavior, which is vital for service development.

This study presents a novel status assessment method for district heating (DH) pipelines in operation, which we call "Pipeopsy"(a biopsy for pipes). The method evaluates adhesion strength between the service pipe and polyurethane (PUR) insulation, which is a crucial property for the durability of DH pipes and the extent of degradation of PUR foam closest to the service pipe. This method is based on three parts: (1) measuring adhesion strength and taking samples of the foam, (2) analyzing the foam in a laboratory using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and (3) restoring pipeline by replacing the foam and sealing the casing by welding polyethylene plugs in the holes. Temperature dependence and measurement accuracy of the shear strength test method have also been examined, as well as correlation with the standard axial shear strength test method. The shear strength of the aged pipes shows no temperature dependence, while the quotient between the value produced with the plug method and axial method is 3.1. Compared with the standard test methods, the advantages of Pipeopsy involve small cost, less damage to pipes, and the use of simple mobile tools for taking samples and performing measurements. Importantly, testing can be performed without shutting down the operation of DH pipelines. Furthermore, the method provides not only the information on adhesion strength but also information on the extent of chemical degradation in PUR. This combination of information provides a more detailed picture of the status of pipes and can be used to make a prediction about the remaining lifetime. Pipeopsy produces many results in a short time, and better statistics, which provide a solid basis for decision-makers focused on the maintenance of DH pipes or for applying artificial intelligence. 

Kostnadsläget inom mjölkproduktionen har drivit fram en omfattande strukturrationalisering samtidigt som det har skett en kraftig ökning av mjölkproduktionen per ko och år under de senaste 20 åren. Fodret utgör nära hälften av den totala produktionskostnaden. En möjlighet att sänka foderkostnaden är att i större utsträckning gårdsbereda även kraftfodret baserat på egna eller närproducerade foderråvaror. För att bibehålla en hög produktion och en god hälsa måste mjölkkornas foderstat vara balanserad och utan alltför stora variationer, vilket kräver goda kunskaper om hur råvarorna bör behandlas och beredas till färdigt foder. Rapporten inleds med en sammanfattande beskrivning av olika konserveringsmetoder samt deras för- och nackdelar. Därefter görs kortare beskrivningar av de olika konserveringsmetoderna. Torkning av spannmålen är den vanligaste metoden och fungerar med alla typer av foderberednings- och utfodringssystem medan valmöjligheterna är mer begränsade när spannmålen konserveras och lagras fuktig. De senare metoderna, vilka kräver mer kunskaper av användaren, är dock energisnålare och kan vara mer lönsamma om de tillämpas på rätt sätt och under rätt förutsättningar. Utfodringssystemen kan indelas i mobila och fasta system, där de mobila i de flesta fall har minst krav på fodrets struktur och fukthalt. Förutsättningar för lönsamhet är att kraven på näringsinnehåll, struktur, hygienisk kvalitet, mängd och utfodringsfrekvens uppfylls. För att korna skall kunna tillgodogöra sig näringsinnehållet måste fodersäden sönderdelas, varför en genomgång görs av de olika sönderdelningsmetoderna. Även genomgångar av olika typer av blandare för kraftfoder och för fullfoder redovisas. En viktig åtgärd är att minska riskerna för separation hos fodret och hur detta kan motverkas i transportörer och lagringssilor, vilket redovisas. Dessutom görs en kortfattad genomgång av teknik för pelletering som metod för att minska risken för näringsmässig separation och för att förbättra kraftfodrets transportegenskaper, samt av rostning av åkerböna för att förbättra proteinets egenskaper. Rapporten skall ses som en översiktlig genomgång av området hantering och lagring av spannmål samt beredning av kraftfoder på gården. För vidare studier redovisas även fördjupningslitteratur.

This work has focused on oxygen’s role in the delignification process within the context of pulp production. We have investigated the role of oxygen in a complex set of chemical reactions taking place during this process, including both oxidative and non-oxidative reactions. This study explores the impact of pH changes during the oxygen delignification process and the characteristics of the resulting pulps. Additionally, this research examines the effect of oxygen, by comparing conventional oxygen delignification with trials using air and nitrogen. Industrial softwood kraft pulps with a kappa number of 35 were subjected to delignification for 20-120 min under alkaline conditions. The resulting pulps were assessed for kappa number, intrinsic viscosity, fiber charge, and ISO brightness. An important observation from this research is the reduction in lignin molecular weight upon exposure to oxygen and air, suggesting depolymerization reactions facilitated by oxygen species, whereas nitrogen exposure results in less pronounced changes. This finding underscores the impact of oxygen in altering lignin structure, thus informing the selectivity and effectiveness of the delignification process. 

Denna utredning är resultatet av ett samarbete mellan RISE och Nacka kommun och undersöker regnbäddssubstrats kvalitet och påverkan på regnbäddens förmåga att rena dagvatten. Fokus har varit på eventuellt läckage av kväve och fosfor från ingående fraktioner av biokol och kompost i substratet. Ett syfte med denna utredning har varit att identifiera vilken ingrediens, kompost eller biokol, i substraten som ger störst tillskott av lakningsbar näring till regnbäddar. Ett annat syfte har varit att göra en näringsbalansberäkning för att se hur några vanliga tillsatser av biokol och kompost i regnbäddssubstrat balanseras av vegetationens näringsupptag, i det här fallet träd, i en fullskalig regnbädd. En beräkning av i vilken utsträckning näringstillförsel via dagvattnet kan balansera ett träds upptag av näring gjordes också. Målet har varit att ta fram underlag för lämpliga substratblandningar för regnbäddar med träd. Hypotesen har varit att det finns en potential att minska tillförseln av näringsrika material i regnbäddar, utan att det därför blir för näringsfattigt för vegetationen. Studien genomfördes genom upprepade laktester på tre olika biokol och tre olika komposter från tre olika leverantörer. Kväve och fosfor analyserades i lakvattnet och summerades efter tre lakningsomgångar. Summan av lakningsbart kväve och fosfor utgjorde näringstillförseln i näringsbalansen. Data skalades upp till fullskaliga växtbäddar på 6,6 m3. Vid en beräkning av dagvattnets tillförsel av kväve och fosfor användes ett exempel från det fullskaleförsök som utförts i Nacka. Litteraturdata användes för en uppskattning av träds upptag av fosfor och kväve. Resultatet visade att totalt kväveinnehåll var i samma storleksordning i alla materialen. Summan av det utlakade kvävet var mellan 30 och 100 gånger lägre från biokolen än komposterna. Vid den tredje lakningsomgången var kväveinnehållet under detektionsgränsen i lakvattnet från alla biokolen medan det fortfarande fanns kväve kvar i lakvattnet från komposterna. Totalt fosforinnehåll var generellt större hos kompostmaterialen än hos biokolen. Summan utlakat fosfor efter tre laktester på samma material var mellan 14 och 50 gånger lägre från biokolet än från komposterna. Det var en tydlig trend att mängden utlakade näringsämnen minskade för varje lakningsomgång men det fanns fosfor kvar i lakvattnet från alla materialen efter den tredje lakningsomgången. En uppskalning av lakningsdata till en fullskalig regnbädd visade att en regnbädd med pimpstenssubstrat hade potential att läcka mer kväve och fosfor än ett biokolsmakadam, huvudsakligen beroende på att komposttillsatsen är större i ett pimpstenssubstrat. Näringsbalansberäkningen visade att mer näring tillsätts med substratet än vad som kan tas upp av ett träd under ett år. Hur stort överskottet blir beror framför allt på kvalitet och kvantitet hos den kompost som tillsätts. Näringsbalanserna visar vidare att den mängd kompost som behöver tillsättas en regnbädd med ett träd, för att möta det högsta antagna fosforupptaget hos trädet, är mellan 0,02 och 0,2 m3 beroende på kvalitet. Det utgör mellan 1 och 10 procent av vad som beräknades finnas i en regnbädd på 6,6 m3 med pimpstenssubstrat och mellan 2,5 och 25 procent av vad som beräknades finnas i kompostfraktionen i en motsvarande regnbädd med biokolsmakadam. För att möta fosforupptaget med endast biokol behövs en volym på mellan 0,5 och 6 m3 biokol beroende på kvalitet. Detta utgör mellan 60 och 700 procent av den biokolsvolym som beräknades finnas i en fullskalig regnbädd med biokolsmakadam. Denna studie visar att det är stor skillnad mellan kompost och kompost och mellan biokol och biokol när det gäller hur mycket näring som har potential att lakas ut. Det gör att det inte räcker med att ställa krav på volymsandelar ingående material i regnbäddssubstrat vid projektering. Även de ingående materialens kvalitet avseende näringsinnehåll behöver styras. Denna studie visar också att de vanligaste regnbäddssubstraten, biokolsmakadam och pimpstenssubstrat, kan innehålla lakningsbar näring som vida överskrider ett träds upptagningsförmåga. Detta är framför allt kopplat till dessa substrats innehåll av kompost eftersom komposten är den ingrediens som innehåller, och lakar ur, mest näring. Detta visar att det finns potential för att dra ner på tillförseln av kompost i regnbäddssubstrat och därmed minska risken för näringsläckage från regnbäddar. Rapporten föreslår att detta kan göras genom en tydligare branschgemensam praxis, när det gäller näringstillförsel, i till exempel AMA. Modelleringsverktyg som kan bidra med att få en uppfattning om hur mycket näring som kan antas komma med dagvattnet i varje enskilt projekt, kan också vara värdefullt. Nya paradigm med näringsfria substrat utan tillförsel av näring eller med en tillväxtbegränsande tillsats av näring kan vara önskvärda. Det sistnämnda kräver att man först fastställer en näringsgiva som inte är tillväxtbegränsande, och den kunskapen finns inte idag. Kunskap om vilken näringstillsats som är tillväxtbegränsande saknas idag.

 Safe Hydrogen Bunkering Compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH2) storage and bunkering represent a viable alternative marine fuel with the potential to be entirely fossil-free. However, the adoption of CGH2 introduces unique challenges and risks that require rigorous assessment to ensure its safe and efficient use. CGH2 is favored for its sustainability potential and comparatively lower economic demands relative to liquid hydrogen. Nevertheless, its physical and chemical properties necessitate enhanced safety measures. CGH2 exhibits a broader flammability range, lower minimum ignition energy, and faster combustion rates compared to conventional fuels such as methane. Additionally, its storage under high pressures exceeding 250 bar implies that leaks may lead to hazardous phenomena, including jet flames or deflagrations (explosions). This report emphasizes the safety of personnel, including crew members, terminal workers, and passengers, while investigating the hazards associated with CGH2 bunkering. To this end, existing literature and regulations pertaining to LNG and hydrogen have been reviewed, stakeholder interviews have been conducted for a Visby case study, and a Hazard Identification (HAZID) analysis has been performed. Key hazards identified include loss of containment due to leaks, pipe, or tank ruptures. To effectively manage the risks of CGH2 bunkering, preventive and mitigative strategies must address multiple dimensions. These include operational limits, technical and physical measures, placement and design considerations, hazardous zones, safety distances, and maintenance protocols. Equally important are human factors such as access control, the establishment of clear safety protocols, well-defined roles and responsibilities, and procedural routines. The individual risk measure is used to ensure that no crew, terminal worker, or passenger is exposed to unacceptable risks. Input values for the individual risk calculation, such as limit values, failure frequencies, and consequences have been reviewed. For calculating the individual risk, uncertainty regarding modelling, input parameters and operational practices needs to be carefully managed. The high frequency of CGH2-bunkering drives the risk due to an increase in the number of transfer operations and the time for the system in operation.

Safe large scale hydrogen bunkering - Test and validation The project investigates the use of green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for shipping. It focuses on developing and validating a new cylinder design with built-in cooling to handle temperature increases during bunkering. The project aims to validate and analyze this new cylinder design by manufacturing a prototype equipped with heat exchangers and conducting performance tests. The project has been carried out in three stages: prototype development, pressure and safety tests, and performance tests. The prototype tank passed both pressure and performance tests without leaking or visible damage. The cylinder design with built-in heat exchanger was found to be able to limit the temperature rise during hydrogen bunkering, enabling a higher fill rate and safe use. However, there are still open questions regarding a large-scale filling that should be investigated further in future projects to further optimize the process. Among other things, this applies to the influence of a plastic liner or a thinner metal liner, a larger tank volume, larger mass flows and realistic pipe/hose lengths and dimensions between the expansion valve and the tanks on board.

Solar Photovoltaics and Rewetting of Peatlands – Opportunities, Challenges and Suggestions Drained peatlands account for one-fifth of Sweden’s national greenhouse gas emissions, which can be significantly reduced through rewetting. However, rewetting makes previously cultivated lands unusable or difficult to use, resulting in a loss of income for landowners. The purpose of the report is to explore the possibilities of combining peatland rewetting with the installation of solar parks to create economic incentives for landowners while contributing to climate goals. To succeed with rewetting, it is crucial to maintain the correct water level and promote suitable vegetation. An optimal water level, a few decimeters below the surface, reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Successful establishment of solar installations on rewetted peatlands requires economic viability and secure installations that last around 30 years. Challenges include corrosive environments, soil stability, and cable laying in peatlands. Legislative initiatives and projects from Germany highlight both opportunities and challenges with combined solar and rewetting projects. One pilot project has established a solar park on peatland and destroyed drainage, and is evaluating the impact on soil, vegetation, and wildlife. Experiences show that installation is more costly and technically challenging, but that there is economic and climate mitigation potential. Concrete suggestions and advice are provided for how solar parks can be established on rewetted peatlands. Three establishment methods are discussed: anchoring in mineral soil, anchoring in the peat layer, and floating constructions resting on the ground. Each method has its pros and cons, including aspects such as soil compaction, corrosion, stability, and impact on vegetation. Anchoring in mineral soil provides stability but increases the risk of soil damage, while floating constructions reduce soil impact but are less tested. Several knowledge gaps and research needs are identified. More field studies and practical experiences are needed to develop effective methods and practices for combining solar installations and peatland rewetting. Important research areas include the impact on vegetation and wildlife, handling of corrosion and soil stability, as well as economic and legal aspects. The need for pilot projects with different establishment methods and in various soil conditions is crucial for progress. In summary, the report shows that the combination of solar installations and peatland rewetting has the potential to contribute to climate goals and create economic incentives for landowners. Incentives that tend to become larger for larger peatland areas and for land that is situated near electricity grids with available capacity. At the same time, it is clear that there are technical and economic uncertainties and challenges that need to be addressed.

Combustible materials used in marine applications must be verified with regards to the fire performance. The requirements of the materials are related to end use application and type of vessel for the installation. However, usually the regulations refer to the IMO FTP Code 2010 for fire test methods and requirements. Reaction-to-fire parameters such as non-combustibility, smoke, toxicity and flame spread are addressed. One reaction-to-fire parameter is not addressed in the FTP Code, the ignitability of the material. Historically, it has been considered that if the material fulfils the requirements in the FTP Code, the ignitability test is not an issue, since the other test methods are more stringent. This study aims to evaluate the ignitability of seven selected composite materials, using the small flame fire test method according to EN ISO 11925-2.