An Ecosystem Analysis of Industrial Symbiosis Development in Aalborg, Denmark
Authors
Schlüter, Leonie ; Milani, Andrea
Term
4. term
Publication year
2018
Submitted on
2018-06-06
Abstract
Vores økonomi skal ændre sig hurtigt for at beskytte miljøet og sikre fremtidige naturressourcer. Det kræver et skifte fra en lineær 'take-make-dispose' model til en cirkulær økonomi, hvor affald forebygges gennem design. Industriel symbiose (IS) er en central tilgang: virksomheder udveksler biprodukter, energi, vand eller affald, så den enes rest bliver den andens ressource. Det giver både økonomiske og miljømæssige gevinster. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan IS har udviklet sig i Aalborg, Danmark. Ved at følge den historiske udvikling af udvalgte ressourceudvekslinger ('synergier') i området belyses lokale forhold, drivkræfter, facilitatorer og barrierer. Den ser også på samarbejder, der ikke er IS, samt tredjeparters rolle for at afklare, hvad der hæmmer IS. Studiet sammenligner mønstre på tværs af forskellige typer synergier (energi, materialer, væsker) og virksomhedstyper og tegner et samlet billede af økosystemets aktører. Resultaterne viser, at incitamentet til IS oftest var knyttet til det enkelte projekts kommercielle værdi, så Aalborg Symbioses incitamentsstruktur er primært økonomisk. I mange tilfælde var projekterne dog helt eller delvist motiveret af regulering og teknologiske udviklinger, og stærke organisatoriske kompetencer var ofte nødvendige for at realisere dem. Økonomiske forhold var også den hyppigste barriere. Tekniske udfordringer kunne hæmme processen noget, mens regulatoriske og organisatoriske hindringer spillede en mindre rolle. Den vigtigste facilitator var Aalborg Kommune, som fungerede som koordinator, særligt i udviklingen af varmeudvekslinger. Overordnet set var der flere både barrierer og facilitatorer i energisamarbejder end ved udveksling af materialer og væsker.
Our economy must change quickly to protect the environment and secure future natural resources. This means shifting from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular economy that designs out waste. Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is a key approach: companies exchange by-products, energy, water, or waste so that one firm’s leftovers become another’s inputs, creating economic and environmental benefits. This thesis examines how IS has developed in Aalborg, Denmark. By tracing the history of selected resource exchanges ('synergies') in the area, it identifies the local conditions, drivers, facilitators, and barriers that shape IS. It also looks at collaborations that are not IS and the roles of third parties to clarify what holds IS back. The study compares patterns across different types of synergies (energy, materials, liquids) and company types, and maps the roles of actors in the ecosystem. The analysis finds that incentives for IS were usually based on each project's commercial value, so the Aalborg Symbiosis is primarily economically driven. In many cases, regulatory and technological developments also motivated projects, and strong organizational capabilities were often needed to make them happen. Economic considerations were also the most common barrier. Technical difficulties sometimes slowed progress, while regulatory and organizational barriers played a smaller role. The most important facilitator was Aalborg Kommune, which acted as a coordinator, particularly for heat exchanges. Overall, energy synergies faced more barriers—and more facilitators—than exchanges of materials and liquids.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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