Jonas Tannerstad: “How We Halved Öbo’s Energy Use”

The property sector is facing one of its biggest transitions ever. New regulations, climate targets and technological opportunities require a fundamental shift in how the industry thinks and operates. Clima Energy Nordic is the Nordic region’s new meeting place for sustainable and energy efficient buildings, bringing together experts and decision makers to share knowledge and be inspired by concrete examples. “It is possible to combine climate benefit and business benefit,” says Jonas Tannerstad, Head of Electricity and Automation at Örebrobostäder.

To bring together the property sector and enable the achievement of climate targets, meet new EU requirements and create more profitable and valuable properties, Svenska Mässan will open the doors to Clima Energy Nordic on 2–4 February 2027. Property owners, investors, suppliers, consultants and academia will gather to discuss efficient energy use.

One of the key figures in this transition is Jonas Tannerstad, Head of Electricity and Automation at Örebrobostäder (Öbo). He explains how the company has succeeded in halving its electricity consumption by focusing on the property portfolio as a whole, rather than on individual buildings.

“The single most important factor has been our approach to energy and technical systems. We have had to think in a new way,” says Jonas Tannerstad.

A holistic perspective that increases property value

For Tannerstad and his team at Öbo, it has been crucial to develop a systematic way of working where every decision, whether related to ventilation, laundry rooms or control systems, is viewed as part of a larger context.

“We have learned to see the entire portfolio as one shared machine where all parts interact to optimise efficiency. When you understand how the parts are connected, you can make significant progress,” he explains.

This holistic perspective has not only delivered climate benefits, but also clear business value. Today, Öbo saves approximately SEK 120 million per year, while property values have increased by more than SEK 2 billion.

Open systems and AI enable data driven decision making

Turning strategy into practice has required both the right technology and the right methodology. As early as 2004, Öbo moved away from closed automation systems and chose open platforms where they own the software themselves. This provided control over data and the ability to analyse multiple buildings simultaneously. Today, open data, machine learning and AI are used to identify patterns and deviations that would otherwise have been difficult to detect.

“Instead of a technician visiting once a month, we now have a 24/7 overview. We do not measure to know, we measure to act,” says Tannerstad.

A clear example is Öbo’s work with laundry rooms. By starting with a pilot, measuring before and after, and then scaling up what worked, they were able to demonstrate concrete results quickly.

“It is about testing, proving and then rolling out on a larger scale. The same thinking applies whether it is laundry rooms, ventilation or lighting,” says Tannerstad.

Collaboration as a driver of the transition

For Tannerstad, collaboration is a decisive factor in succeeding with the energy transition. The property sector has long been divided into silos, where different professions and suppliers work without a holistic view.

“Electricians, ventilation companies and contractors must understand how their choices affect the whole. You cannot solve future energy challenges in silos,” he says.

In this context, Tannerstad sees Clima Energy Nordic as an important meeting place for knowledge exchange, networking and concrete discussions on how the property sector can transition in a sustainable and profitable way.

“I hope that everyone from CEOs, CFOs and energy strategists to operations technicians and sustainability managers visits Clima Energy Nordic. Then something real can happen.”

The buildings of the future – a journey towards 2030

Öbo aims to complete its energy transition by 2030. The next major step concerns ventilation, which currently accounts for around a quarter of the company’s electricity consumption.

“We believe we can reduce that by up to 30 percent if we do the right things. But suppliers need to start thinking differently. We need more open data, connected systems and smarter control,” says Tannerstad.

For him, the buildings of the future are not about isolated technology projects, but about a new way of thinking: holism, collaboration and data driven decision making. That is also what Clima Energy Nordic is about, a meeting place where those who want to drive change can gather, share knowledge and be inspired by concrete examples such as Öbo. The future of energy efficient buildings is discussed here, and speakers such as Jonas Tannerstad show how climate benefit can be combined with business benefit.

“It is possible to combine climate benefit and business benefit. We know, because we have done it. These are the kinds of cases that need to be showcased at Clima Energy Nordic so others can follow,” concludes Jonas Tannerstad.

Jonas’ three best tips for property companies

1. Think holistically, not building by building
   • View the entire property portfolio as one shared machine where all parts influence each other. When you see the system as a whole, you can prioritise correctly and make decisions that deliver real impact.
2. Own your data and choose open systems
   • Break dependency on suppliers who lock in technology and information. By using open platforms, you gain control of your data, can analyse multiple buildings simultaneously and use AI to identify deviations and improvements.
3. Test, prove and scale
   • Start with a pilot, measure before and after, and demonstrate that it works both financially and technically. Once the results are clear, scale up quickly. That is how you move from isolated projects to a real energy transition.

Clima Energy Nordic is the Nordic region’s new meeting place for sustainable and energy efficient buildings and facilities. With a focus on efficient energy use in heating, ventilation and cooling for indoor climate, property owners, investors, installers, suppliers, consultants, researchers and decision makers come together to drive the development towards sustainable buildings, facilities and profitable investments.

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