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Datum 2021-12-20
Artikeltyp News

SEK 63 million for new centre of excellence – sustainable energy solutions of the future

The transition to a more electrified, decentralised and digitised energy system with a high share of renewable energy creates many challenges but also provides opportunities. Consequently, the Swedish Energy Agency is granting funds of SEK 63 million for a new centre of excellence, coordinated by Mälardalen University.

Water and food supply, transport, health care, communications as well as industry all depend on energy. Without energy, no infrastructure or sectors can operate. The energy sector is today therefore a critical infrastructure. A breakdown in parts of the energy sector can lead to a negative impact on other infrastructure systems – and can lead to disaster situations. The transition to a more electrified, decentralised and digitised energy system with a high share of renewable energy creates many challenges but also provides opportunities. Consequently, the Swedish Energy Agency is granting funds of SEK 63 million for a new centre of excellence, coordinated by Mälardalen University.

The Swedish Energy Agency is granting funds to RESILIENT centre of excellence - Energy Systems Competence Centre. RESILIENT will be coordinated from Mälardalen University, (officially MDU from 1 January 2022) and the aim of the centre of excellence is to provide new research-based knowledge, tools and practices that adopt a system perspective for safe and efficient energy supply in sustainable, fossil-free energy systems with a low climate impact, and in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its goals.

“Around 40 partners involved in the project stem from academia, industry and the public sector who all testify to the need for new knowledge from a system perspective and in cooperation with different disciplines for us to implement the sustainable energy solutions of the future. Through the RESILIENT centre of excellence, we will have the opportunity for such cooperation and can contribute to the development of important new knowledge,” says Professor Eva Thorin, Head of Research, Future Energy Center.

Transformation of a market ecosystem

The transition to a more electrified, decentralised and digitised energy system can be viewed as a transformation of a market ecosystem. In addition to new technological developments, it includes changes in the roles of different stakeholders, where previously separate producers and consumers can now be both simultaneously. End-users, consisting of both private individuals, companies and the public sector, will be given new roles in the new energy system.

Digitisation includes access to and use of more data, artificial intelligence and automation that opens up new opportunities for efficient design and planning. At the same time, suppliers who provide technology and systems may need to change their skills and way of working to meet the changes in the energy system.

Cross-sectoral cooperation

RESILIENT’s role is to explore and thereby help facilitate this transformation to achieve the 2030 Agenda goals through cross-sectoral cooperation between academia, companies and the public sector.

“We are honoured that the Swedish Energy Agency has chosen to support the RESILIENT centre of excellence and are proud as Sweden's newest University to be able to coordinate this important effort with cross-sectoral collaboration between researchers, suppliers and end-users. RESILIENT will be able to establish internationally attractive research environments in close collaboration that conduct excellent and needs-driven research, thanks to this support,” says Peter Rohlin, Centre Manager, RESILIENT.

RESILIENT will be coordinated from Mälardalen University, (officially MDU from 1 January 2022). Other participating research organisations are Uppsala University, Gävle University, Umeå University and RISE. The number of participating companies/organisations is around 40, spread throughout the entire country. The centre will commence operations on 1 April 2022. The total budget is SEK 189 million for five years, with an option for an additional five years.

The following partners will be participating in the centre of excellence:

Mälardalen University, Uppsala University, Gävle University, Umeå University, RISE, AA Logistik, Absolicon Solar Collector AB, AMF Fastigheter, Alstom, eGain International AB, Eskilstuna Strängnäs Energi & Miljö AB, Fastighets AB Stenvalvet, Fastighetsägarna Stockholm, Gävle Energi AB, Hitachi ABB Power Grids Sweden, Humlegården Fastigheter, Independent Business Group Sweden, Mestro AB, MG Sustainable Engineering, Mälarenergi, Powercell Sweden, SI Communities, Smart Innovation Norway, Svealandstrafiken, Umehem Fastigheter, Volvo Construction Equipment, Vätgas Sverige idella förening, Öresundskraft, Enköpings Municipality, Entré Hofors, Eskilstuna Municipality, The Swedish Fortifications Agency, Hofors Municipality, Strängnäs Municipality, Umeå Municipality, Västerås City.

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