Seven new research projects strengthen ProActS
The research programme ProActS at Halmstad University is now launching several new projects focused on sustainable societal development. During the autumn of 2024, seven projects have been approved, all contributing to the transition towards a more sustainable society.
Local initiatives
In the project "Framhall", the future development of Halland is at the centre. Here, researchers collaborate with businesses and public entities to develop new methods for urban planning. The aim is to create locations that are both climate-smart and accessible to all. Through workshops and scenario-based dialogues, the project looks ahead to the year 2049.
Three of the projects concern future energy solutions. "Solar Use in Our Agricultural Landscape" investigates how solar energy can be integrated with agriculture in a manner that both ensures efficient food production and contributes to the EU's climate goals. The second energy project focuses on the district heating system in the Ranagård residential area in Halmstad. Since 2016, the University has been involved in developing a new type of district heating network that is the world's first to achieve very low return temperatures without needing to use heat pumps. A new phase is now beginning where researchers, led by Helge Averfalk, will evaluate how the network performs over an entire year of operation. The third energy project, "HyCoGen 2", investigates how to integrate hydrogen production with district heating to increase energy efficiency. Researchers want to harness the waste heat generated by hydrogen production and use it in the district heating system, which can reduce energy losses and make the whole energy system more sustainable.
International collaborations
ProActS is also strengthening its international engagement through two projects. In the Erasmus+ project "Getting Out Of the Comfort Zone", the University collaborates with universities in Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Lithuania. The purpose is to better prepare students for workplace challenges related to sustainability and green transition. Simultaneously, ProActS is contributing to the reconstruction of Ukraine through the "CRAFT" project, where the goal is to support Ukrainian agricultural businesses in collaboration with Lviv Institute of Management.
The seventh project, "LAFERIA", addresses the EU's objective of recreating important landscape elements in agricultural areas. As agriculture has intensified, many valuable environments have disappeared. Through collaboration between Portugal, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany, the project will identify what is needed to reintroduce these environments and develop business models to make it possible.
