Collaboration and Innovation Take Center Stage as Elflexibel Industri Brings Its Partners Together

Collaboration and Innovation Take Center Stage as Elflexibel Industri Brings Its Partners Together

How can Swedish industry be electrified, strengthen its competitiveness, and at the same time contribute to a more flexible energy system? This is one of the key questions at the heart of Elflexibel industri (EFI), a national innovation project in which nearly 50 stakeholders from industry, the energy sector, academia, and the public sector are collaborating to develop the energy solutions of tomorrow. Through digitalization, innovation, and practical demonstrations in industry, the project aims to contribute to a smarter use of electricity and lay the groundwork for the continued electrification of Swedish industry.

For the first time, the project’s partners gathered in person to share experiences, forge new connections, and discuss how their collaboration can accelerate development. The day was marked by knowledge sharing, future outlooks, and discussions on how collaboration can strengthen the development of both the industry and the energy system.

“We at Siemens Energy in Trollhättan are pleased to be part of the ‘Flexible Energy Industry’ initiative and look forward to finding smart and flexible ways to use energy that contribute to sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness,” says Asim Rashid, Head of Siemens Energy Trollhättan.

Demonstrations that build knowledge in a real-world environment
One of the highlights of the day was the demo parade, where several of the project’s partners presented their ongoing work in areas such as energy management, forecasting, automation, and electrification. Representatives from Ellevio, Billerud, Uddeholm, ESAB, and Power Circle took the stage.

An important part of EFI is that solutions are developed and tested in real-world industrial environments at the participating industrial companies. At the same time, eight innovations are being developed to help increase energy and power flexibility. By combining practical application with digitalization and data-driven approaches, new knowledge is being generated about how industry can play a more active role in the energy system of the future.

“Our goal is to actively contribute to our own and our customers’ energy transition. Through this project, we see opportunities to develop new knowledge, create greater value for our customers, and learn together with our other partners in this initiative,” says Christer Lindgren, Head of R&D – Automation at ESAB.

From Technology to System Change
The Elflexibel Industri project is not just about technology. To bring about real change, new forms of collaboration, business models, and regulatory frameworks are also needed.
During a workshop led by Hanna Paradis from Lindholmen Science Park, WP6 project manager, participants discussed the long-term impacts the project aims to contribute to and how collaboration among different stakeholders can produce results that no single organization can achieve on its own.

The event also featured guest speakers Maria Gustafsson and Melina Kotsinas from the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate, who spoke about the agency’s work on net-zero technologies and regulatory sandboxes. The discussions focused on how future regulations can create better conditions for innovation and flexibility in the energy system.

Digitalization, AI, and Cybersecurity
Digitalization is a key enabler for the project. To manage, optimize, and adapt energy use, data, analysis, and intelligent decision support are required.
Representatives from AI Sweden demonstrated how AI-based analyses can help industrial companies optimize energy use, make better decisions, and strengthen their competitiveness. At the same time, the importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly connected energy and industrial system was highlighted.

Working Together for a More Flexible Energy System
The partner meeting marked an important milestone for the ongoing work. By bringing together industrial companies, energy companies, technology providers, researchers, and public sector actors, Elflexibel Industri creates a platform where new solutions can be developed, tested, and put into practice.

The goal is clear: to strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish industry through digitalization and innovation, while making the energy system more flexible, robust, and sustainable.
Work now continues among the project’s partners across the country, where insights and ideas are being translated into concrete demonstrations and innovations that can contribute to the energy system of the future.

Elflexibel Industri is funded by Vinnova under the Advanced Digitalization program.

Contact
Magnus Kuschel
Innovatum Science Park
magnus.kuschel@innovatum.se
+46520289463