Companies' energy challenges are changing—but the knowledge remains the same

The conditions surrounding companies’ energy initiatives have changed rapidly. Energy prices, willingness to invest, and the need to understand their own energy consumption have shifted over the past three years. At the same time, one thing remains constant—the need to make the next decision based on better information.

When the “Förnybart i Väst” project was launched, energy prices were on the rise. Many companies wanted to quickly understand what they could do to reduce their costs and become less dependent on purchased energy. There was significant interest in solar panels and batteries, for example.

Since then, energy prices have fluctuated, and companies’ concerns have changed. For some, the focus has continued to be on identifying concrete ways to save energy. For others, the focus has been on power capacity, costs, or understanding what various investments would mean for their own operations.

“Companies’ questions have kept pace with the world around them. That has been clear throughout the course of the project. What was a hot topic three years ago isn’t always what companies are asking about today,” says Linnea Assmundson, project manager at West Sweden Energy Agency and Innovatum Science Park.

Not all companies are in the same location

It has also become clear that the energy transition takes different forms depending on where the company is located. For some, an energy analysis can lead to a concrete investment. For others, the most important outcome is gaining, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of their energy use and the factors that influence their costs.

Brålanda Industri is an example of the latter. The company wanted to reduce its energy consumption and create better conditions for moving forward with energy-efficiency measures. An energy analysis conducted in collaboration with West Sweden Energy Agency provided recommendations for the company’s ongoing efforts and increased its understanding of, among other things, the factors that influence energy costs.

“We’ve gained a better understanding of our energy usage and what affects our costs, such as peak load periods. We’ve also come up with ideas for possible improvements,” says Emil Asklund of Brålanda Industri.

The company subsequently applied for an energy grant to fund energy-efficiency measures, but the grant was not approved. Nevertheless, the process has provided the company with new ideas and knowledge to build on in the future.

From a Question to a Decision

This is also one of the lessons learned from the project: targeted support does not always have to result in immediate action. Sometimes the most important thing is for a company to move from simply thinking about energy to actually having the information it needs to make decisions.

“Sometimes, perhaps the most important outcome is that the company begins to ask different questions. When you know more about your energy use, it also becomes easier to determine what’s worth doing—and what isn’t,” concludes Christoffer Askerlund, project manager at West Sweden Energy Agency and Innovatum Science Park.

Over the course of the project’s three years, companies in Västra Götaland and Halland have received support in various aspects of their energy efforts. This has included energy analyses, consulting, and identifying ways forward. For some, this has led to concrete changes in their operations. For others, it has primarily provided knowledge and a better basis for decision-making.

"Renewable Energy in the West" is funded by the EU through the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and the Västra Götaland Region.

West Sweden Energy Agency is part of Innovatum Science Park.