Att välja energisystem : Processer, aktörer och samverkan i Helsingborg och Gävle 1945–1983

Sammanfattning: The Swedish municipalities have traditionally, as suppliers of gas, electricity and district heating to end-use consumers, been one of the key actors of national energy politics. Yet, although Swedish district heating systems typically are owned by the public, neither electricity nor heat production is always under public control. This has historically imposed limitations on municipal plans for own CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plants and district heating systems. Previous research in the field have established that an organisational division between companies active in either heat or electricity supply was one of the most serious challenges for municipal engagement in energy affairs after WW2. Yet, in many cases municipal energy departments have engaged in joint cooperation projects with process industries and power companies, in order to utilize technical expertise and industrial waste heat for the build-up of the local energy system. Processes of initiating, developing and maintaining such cooperation projects - and the erection of municipal CHP plats - are focused upon here.The purpose of this research project is to describe and analyse the roles played by two municipalities (Helsingborg and Gävle) in the years 1945-1983. The specific research questions were as follows: How were different socio-technical systems for electricity and heat supply introduced and how were different alternatives received within the frames of the municipal organisations? What was the impact of competition between different alternatives on the development of the local energy systems? It shows that strategies for municipal-industrial cooperation are vital for the possibilities of municipal energy companies to come to terms with the organisational gulf between power and heat companies. It is argued that the forming of strategical alliances can illustrate how municipal organisations not always act in autonomous positions. It can rather be the other way round - it is strategies for cooperation and competition that make the municipality a key actor in the local energy system.