Powering Profits: Lindberg & Son's Energy Optimization with Polarium

Introduction

Lindberg & Son AB, a leader within Swedish metal recycling, for over 100 years, specializes in the purchase and recycling of iron and metal scrap to both domestic and international markets. Their operations, however, are heavily impacted by the challenges of an energy-intensive sector, such as unreliable power supply and high electricity prices during peak hours. To support their ambition of achieving fossil-free recycling, logistics, and transportation, they sought out Polarium’s innovative energy solutions. Felix Lindberg, CEO at the company, explained, “We have always been interested in new technology and saw this as a clear business case to not only reduce our own peak loads but also help balance the grid”.

Navigating Energy Market Dynamics

Lindberg & Son chose to install a 700 kWh Polarium Energy Optimization System after careful economic analysis. Felix Lindberg noted, “We did quite extensive economic calculations and saw that this could be an investment that pays off while also reducing our costs.” Given their operations’ significant energy requirements, Felix emphasized the importance of energy responsibility, asserting that large energy users must manage their consumption effectively.

Among Lindberg & Son’s three sites, the Forsbacka location was selected for a pilot project in collaboration with Polarium. This site was chosen for its high energy consumption and robust infrastructure, making it ideal for the installation. The system helps the company stabilize energy costs by avoiding peak prices and generates additional revenue through Frequency Containment Reserve and Fast Frequency Reserve services provided to Svenska Kraftnät, Sweden’s electricity transmission system operator.

The installation process went smoothly. Polarium’s support was key in overcoming regulatory challenges, allowing Lindberg & Son to sell excess energy back to the grid. Felix highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Polarium resolved all issues quickly, allowing us to focus on our core operations.”

What Lies Ahead

For Lindberg & Son, the definition of a successful pilot project is one that swiftly recovering its costs and effectively manages spikes in electricity prices, while enabling a new revenue stream through the frequency regulation market. Felix expresses optimism about the project’s future, saying, “I believe that the frequency regulations market will continue to mature, as the need for energy consuming companies like us to provide balancing will grow, as energy demands increase”. Going forward, the company plan to evaluate the system’s performance over the next year and consider expanding Energy Optimization solution to other facilities.

Looking forward, Lindberg & Son is exploring the integration of solar panels to further boost their energy independence and sustainability. Although they have not yet implemented solar technology, Felix remarked, “We are looking at where to set up solar panels and how to connect them, whether at the same location as the battery or elsewhere”.

In conclusion, Lindberg & Son’s partnership with Polarium showcases a proactive approach to energy management, blending cost savings with environmental responsibility. By adopting innovative solutions, they not only reduce costs and enhance energy stability but also set a sustainability benchmark for the recycling industry.

Read more about Polarium Energy Optimization System