An epicentre for future climate solutions
Fredericia is an epicentre for future climate solutions
Fredericia is an epicentre for future climate solutions
Fredericia was historically known as a working town. Today, it is Denmark’s centre for transport and logistics. And now Fredericia is also on the world map when it comes to energy and climate. In fact, Kristian Bendix Drejer, Director of Business Fredericia says that in the coming years, Fredericia will be a key player in solving future climate challenges:
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How do we redistribute wind energy from the North Sea to Germany and Sweden? How do we best capture CO2? How do we produce hydrogen and green oil most efficiently – and from what? How can we use these new green energy sources to make the logistics and shipping industry more sustainable? And how do you tie water, hydrogen, methanol and district heating together and get the grid network just right? These are some of the questions that we in Fredericia are already in the process of finding answers to" he says.
Denmark’s centre for infrastructure
Business Fredericia works to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and business tourism in Fredericia. The organisation has more than 800 member companies that are primarily engaged in Fredericia’s two business strengths: Energy and climate, and transport and logistics. This puts Fredericia in a key position.
Business Fredericia works to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and business tourism in Fredericia. The organisation has more than 800 member companies that are primarily engaged in Fredericia’s two business strengths: Energy and climate, and transport and logistics. This puts Fredericia in a key position.
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We are an important epicentre, as we have large energy companies such as Ørsted, Cross Bridge Energy and Energinet, as well as transport giants such as Maersk, LEMAN, BlueWater and others. Fredericia is also the centre of Denmark in terms of infrastructure. We are located in the middle of the islands and the middle of Jutland, with direct access to motorways, train lines, the harbour, dry port and airport. And transport is closely linked to energy and climate; perhaps even more so than ever”, says the CEO.
Pioneering projects with green fuels
Fredericia’s ongoing pioneering projects include the production of greener fuels.
Fredericia’s ongoing pioneering projects include the production of greener fuels.
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We have one of only two oil refineries in the country, so of course that presents some opportunities. Among other things, we are building a hydrogen plant to provide a hydrogen refuelling station for heavy trucks and are ensuring continued development towards greener oil at the refinery. We are also in the process of establishing a bio-to-oil project to convert the 40,000 tonnes of sludge that ends up at Fredericia wastewater treatment plant every year into green oil. The method has been tested in collaboration with Aarhus University and now we’re scaling it up to a size that will make a difference and perhaps serve as a model for other treatment plants around the world” says Kristian Bendix Drejer.
Growth and development is in the town’s DNA
While it is only in recent years that the harbour town of Fredericia has positioned itself so strongly within the energy and climate sector, development, logistics and innovation are a well-established part of the town’s identity.
While it is only in recent years that the harbour town of Fredericia has positioned itself so strongly within the energy and climate sector, development, logistics and innovation are a well-established part of the town’s identity.
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There is a DNA here that exudes growth and development – much more so than anywhere else in Denmark. In recent years, the town has undergone rapid development with new businesses, homes and neighbourhoods, a richer cultural life and a more vibrant town centre, along with beautiful nature out by the Little Belt strait. It is also supported by large companies such as Carlsberg, Arla and Google. And we have Denmark’s third-largest exhibition centre, which of course also makes the town a meeting point for inspiration and knowledge sharing” he emphasises.