In a newly published op-ed in Ny Teknik, BioShare’s Christer Gustavsson and Mattias Backmark argue that Sweden’s discussion on combined heat and power (CHP) is based on an outdated logic — one that measures utility in the moment rather than over time.
Commissioned by Sveriges Ingenjörer, AFRY recently examined the potential of Sweden’s district heating and CHP systems to increase electric output and contribute to national security. While the analysis highlights relevant challenges, it stays within the traditional framework of producing more electricity rather than rethinking the system itself.
The article outlines how CHP plants can evolve into Polyproduction plants – systems that convert biomass and waste into multiple products such as biochar, biomethane and e-methane, while also generating heat or power as a valuable by-product. These plants can operate year-round and shift their role between production, storage and energy supply, providing true system flexibility.
It’s not about making combined heat and power slightly better at what it already does – it’s about what it should evolve into.
The full article (in Swedish) is available on Ny Teknik’s debate page – Here