Soukka was selected as a test area for the co-development model as a typical and efficient new one as an area
of supplementary construction caused by the public transport corridor.
SOUKKA
- 8,144 inhabitants (2021), 5,600 new inhabitants and 500 jobs are aimed for in the vicinity of the new metro station in the coming years
- the new metro station was opened in December 2022 and the metro will start operating in 2023
- the city’s goal is to improve the urban structure and improve land use in the vicinity of good public transport connections
- the vision plan for additional construction was drawn up in 2018 and there are several individual planning projects in progress in the area
- site plans support the implementation of renewable forms of energy on properties
- site plans support the implementation of renewable forms of energy on properties
- changes in climate conditions are prepared for in changes to the site plan with stormwater management and green environment solutions
- pedestrian and bicycle traffic separated from vehicle traffic into its own freeway network with overpasses and underpasses of vehicular traffic streets
- the conditions for barrier-free walking and cycling around the station will be improved
- adjacent to the metro station, there are spaces reserved for 50 parking spaces and high-quality bicycle parking
- parking in the area will be solved in connection with new construction in centralized, possibly multi-property parking complexes.
Identification of needs
• The city’s 2030 carbon neutrality target
• The energy crisis and the need to build community resilience
• Preparing for climate change and weather disturbances
• Income equality and greater equality through participation in energy markets
Needs and potential
• The city carries out a baseline analysis as an internal task – what can theoretically be done in the area in terms of energy production, savings, storage and consumption?
• Assess the region’s energy production and savings potential with the energy companies operating in the region.
• Conduct an initial survey for the actors (especially residents) in the area to identify needs for change, already planned measures and motivation.
• Assess the opportunities and potential identified in the joint kick-off workshop and evaluate the possibilities for joint action to promote energy positivity.
Objectives
• Organise a joint workshop or series of workshops to set regional energy targets.
1. Set a regional energy (positivity) target.
2. Develop and establish a regional energy community.
• If necessary, make a commitment or agreement to strengthen energy positivity and the energy community, with clear objectives and common rules and definitions.
Solutions and roles
• Conduct a preliminary analysis with the city and Fortum to identify the optimal measures for the region, taking into account the needs and potential of the operators.
• Conduct a joint solution development workshop with all actors in the energy community and develop a dedicated action plan to support the energy positivity objective (in particular Fortum, local residential property boards, the city, and other local service providers).
• Supplement the plan with expert and implementer assessments before final approval.
Energy community
• Agree on key indicators for continuous monitoring, along with milestones that serve as a basis for a regional monitoring model.
• Participate in decision-making in other key forums and maintain interaction and communication within the energy community.
• Update the objectives and implementation plan according to the agreed timetable.
• Take into account overlapping energy communities (residential communities, mobility systems’ own communities) and maintain the overall regional objective.
How to make Soukka energy positive?
Key identified constraints and challenges:
- Soukka is largely covered by Fortum’s district heating network. In the future, heat production will be carbon neutral, according to Fortum’s plans.
- There is potential for geothermal development, but is it worthwhile given the existing district heating network?
- Soukka is a residential suburb and the majority of the building stock is residential. Focus should be on improving the energy efficiency of the building stock.
- Larger investments such as solar energy fields or modern heat pump plants cannot easily fit into the area. There are few buildings with large roof surfaces.
- Energy positivity was identified as a challenge to achieve due to the region’s limited energy production potential.
Future measures?
- The first step is to carry out a comprehensive energy potential assessment, examining the region’s energy production, efficiency and storage potential.
- The potential assessment will launch the regional energy work. This step should be carried out in collaboration with the actors in the area.
- The energy upgrade of residential buildings in the Soukka area has been identified as a key tool for promoting energy positivity. Energy retrofit surveys can be carried out by private operators with the support of city experts.
- The second option identified was on-site solar energy and heating systems to reduce the external electricity and heat demand of buildings.
- Geothermal heat pumps can also reduce external heat (or electricity) demand and thus reduce the demand for alternative fuels.
- The third measure identified was to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings and premises. The area includes service properties, public transport infrastructure (such as a new metro station) and public properties (school, kindergartens, Soukka health centre).
- The measures implemented in Soukka enable the demonstration of possible savings. Sharing good practices and experiences is a key element in encouraging other actors. Setting up an energy community, sharing information and setting targets are key measures in promoting energy positivity.
- Soukka’s own energy community should therefore be established at the earliest possible stage.