Kabelvärden #2 2024: Gislaved is on to green solutions

A 4-hectare solar park located by Route 27 between Gislaved and Anderstorp has captured the attention of Swedish municipalities and energy producers. Soon, nearly 4,000 solar panels, each producing 450 watts, will generate approximately 2 MW of electricity. Impressive, but not unique.

Add to this three containers filled with nine electric vehicle batteries each for energy storage. Together, they can store nearly 2,700 kWh.
“Two of the containers hold reused batteries from scrapped cars and test vehicles. They retain 80–85% of their original capacity,” explains Bengt Palmquist from PLS Energy, specialists in energy storage.

EV Chargers and Hydrogen Production
The Gislaved project becomes even more significant when considering its readiness for green hydrogen production via water splitting. Infrastructure for this is already in place, awaiting future market conditions to justify the addition of production facilities. A bonus is one of Sweden’s first 400 kW EV chargers at the park's entrance.

Initial plans for the park were drawn up in 2021. To share costs and establish local support, Gislaved Energi and PLS Energy collaborated in Hestra, later inviting a handful of Gislaved businesses to join as co-owners. Today, Gislaved Energi and PLS Energy each own 34%, with other partners collectively holding 32%.

Solar energy is a cornerstone of the energy transition. The park’s commitment to reuse extends to its recycled steel service building, second-life EV batteries with extended lifespans of 20 years, and Nexans’ AML1 kV cable, featuring a sheath with at least 45% recycled plastic, low-carbon aluminum conductors, and innovative thermoplastic insulation (TPI).
“The cable was a perfect fit for this project,” says Jörgen Blomqvist, grid manager at Gislaved Energi Elnät AB.

High Interest in the Park and Its AI Management
The energy park has attracted significant attention—not only from proud Gislaved residents.
“At the Stockholm energy fair, many were curious about our facility. We've even had visitors from Denmark,” says Hans Brunström, CEO of Gislaved Energi.

AI management further elevates the park’s profile in the industry.
“AI decides whether electricity is stored in batteries or sent to the grid based on price levels. It can also purchase energy from the grid when prices are low and store it for resale at higher rates,” explains Bengt Palmquist.

Simulations have shown electricity purchased at 0.03–0.10 SEK/kWh at night and sold at 1.70–3.50 SEK/kWh in the morning, generating significant revenue.
“Whenever the price difference exceeds 1.50 SEK/kWh, we profit,” adds Palmquist.

Sheep to Manage Vegetation
While AI oversees most operations, it cannot handle vegetation management.
“That’s why we plan to hire a large flock of sheep to graze under the solar panels,” shares Brunström.

The project is slightly delayed, but all stakeholders expect the energy park to be fully operational before year-end.

Kabelvärden is only in Swedish. You can download your copy below.