The foams. Photo from the project.
Hydropower is a crucial renewable energy source globally and in Sweden. It plays a significant role in society’s green transition away from fossil energy, which is associated with high levels of detrimental greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution. However, hydropower generation is heavily criticized for negatively impacting biodiversity and ecosystem functions in water systems where it operates.
Innovative measures are hence crucial to mitigate these impacts. This project contributes to a bio-based economy by utilizing bio-based solid foams of cellulose or lignin extracted from wood for use as migration solutions for safe guidance of fish past hydroelectric power plants. The foams will also be used as artificial floating islands to help strengthen and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity in hydropower-regulated rivers.
Photo from the project.
These new foams are a unique, sustainable material that can float and function in water, achieving buoyancy and wet stability, primarily previously reserved for fossil-based materials. Thus, this project simultaneously addresses two of the most significant problems in society today: climate change and biodiversity issues, by implementing bio-based materials in solutions that can potentially reduce the negative effects of hydropower production.
Participants
Cellufy AB, Vattenfall AB and KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Budget & time plan
The project’s total budget is 9 MSEK and the project runs for 24 months – between August 2024 to August 2026.