City-Level Decoupling-Case Studies

responsibility of the local authority, but should be shared by multiple parties. This case study shows that communities are capable of adequate waste management and can play an important role in assisting infrastructure service providerswith consumer participation or by participating in monitoring and evaluation. Under certain conditions, small, independent collectors could be more efficient in service provision than more conventional, centralised approaches to solid waste management.

29. 100% biogas-fuelled public transport in Linköping, Sweden

By Natalie Mayer

Sweden’s interest in renewable fuels began after the oil crisis of the 1970s, which led to a massive hike in fuel prices. The country drew up plans for a natural gas pipeline that would run near Linköping, stimulating talk of the possibility of methane exports. Worsening urban air quality from vehicle emissions required swift intervention, and the development of gas as an alternative fuel for Linköping’s public buses was identified as an opportunity to address rising costs and environmental issues simultaneously. 276 Emissions from diesel buses were causing smog and soot to cover the city. 277 Leaders came together to discuss how to clean up the environment, while transforming the area and boosting the local economy. 278 The city opted for buses powered by natural gas, which could be supplied via the proposed pipeline. 279 However, plans for the pipeline later fell through due to financial concerns. 280 Still enamored by the potential of gas, the city decided that the public transport system should run on locally-produced biogas. 281 The fuel is suitable for the city context as it can easily be collected from wastewater treatment plants and landfills. Additionally, it doesn't need extensive fuelling infrastructure, which means it can be introduced in stages and doesn't require as significant an investment. 282 The main objective of the initiative was to reduce the pollution caused by public transport and provide a high quality environment for the citizens of Linköping. 283 Key aims were to develop an integrated system to turn waste into biogas which would connect rural and urban areas and fuel city buses. 284 It was envisaged that over a number of years, the entire bus fleet would be replaced by bio- methane buses. 285 In 1991, TekniskaVerken (TVAB), the municipal services provider, set up a pilot project of 5 buses powered by methane collected from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. 286 Close collaboration between TVAB and Linköping University helped to speed up the development of biogas knowledge and production. 287 Project evaluation revealed that the wastewater treatment plant would be unable to provide sufficient methane to power the entire bus fleet. It concluded that a separate production plant should be built to control the input of feedstock and increase the output of biogas. 288 Implementing the biogas transport system

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