A spring term bursting with research applications
Yet another term has gone by packed with interesting digital meetings. Many of the meetings focused on the ongoing electrification of society where we - through the KTH Energy Platform - have enabled more people to contribute knowledge from research.
The Energy Platform began the term by arranging a workshop for energy researchers from all over Sweden to contribute to the work on the national electrification strategy. A very welcome initiative, according to Truls Borgström, electrification strategy co-ordinator, who participated in the workshop.
Spring term 2021 had a strong focus on research applications. We made an intensive effort to create more fruitful collaborations between KTH’s schools and disciplines. Above all, applications to the Swedish Energy Agency’s ”Competence Centre for a sustainable energy system" were a top priority.
In 2020, through the Energy Platform, we announced internal funding to prepare these applications, which provided an excellent basis for this work.
By the end of the application period, a total of 29 applications had been received from the country’s higher education institutions. KTH was the main applicant in five of these, Chalmers University of Technology accounted for eight and Uppsala University five, and participated as partners in several more. The five applications with KTH as main applicant are: the GreenGrids, a centre of excellence in green development of electric power systems, (approximately SEK 80 million); KC-H2, a competence centre for hydrogen, (SEK 50 million); REAPS, reliable and accessible electronic power systems, (approximately SEK 36 million); National Urban Energy Data Lab, (NUE Data Lab), (SEK 75 million); and the Center for Heat Pumping Technologies for Heating and Cooling, (SEK 25 million). Decisions on which competence centres will receive funding are due to be completed in December 2021.
At the end of term, we made a digital visit to RISE with the aim of identifying more collaborations with Sweden’s research institutes and innovation partners. We met RISE employees from all over the country who provided an excellent overview of RISE’s activities, which also triggered several ideas for new collaborations.
In June, KTH Energy Platform also organised a seminar in the Swedish parliament together with Rifo. Researchers and experts from the transport sector, electricity networks, the electricity market, and the battery sector participated in the event and shared their knowledge with MPs. One of the conclusions was that continued electrification could be an important contribution to the UN’s climate goals.
Last but not least, I would like to remind you about this year’s KTH Energy Dialogue that kicks off on November 18. Sign up here . If you have ideas or suggestions for the programme, or want to get involved in the planning of the event, I’d love to hear from you!
Have a lovely summer, take care of yourselves, and we’ll see you again in the autumn!
Lina Bertling Tjernberg, Director, KTH Energy Platform