Annual Meeting with Breadth, Engagement and Strategic Focus
Glava Energy Center’s Annual Meeting on June 2 brought together nearly 50 participants from more than 30 member companies. With a growing membership base, new projects, and long-term initiatives in focus, the day was filled with forward-looking discussions, knowledge exchange, and a workshop on the future direction of the innovation cluster.
An Innovation Cluster of Growing Importance
The energy system is undergoing a rapid and complex transition. Rising electricity demand, capacity challenges in the grid, the expansion of renewable energy, and increasing sustainability requirements are driving this change. Authorities and industry stakeholders are highlighting flexibility, digitalisation, energy communities, and new forms of collaboration as crucial solutions.
In this context, Glava Energy Center plays an important role. As an innovation cluster, it promotes smart and sustainable energy systems and strengthens knowledge through needs-based training. The membership base – now approaching 100 companies – is a key asset in this work. In 2024, 25 new members joined, with another 17 already this year.
– Our growth is a clear sign that Glava Energy Center has strengthened its position as an enabler in the energy sector, says Liselott Öberg Stridh, Head of Membership and Education.
– Through our projects and collaborations, for example at Elmia Solar, we’ve reached a wide audience working with the energy transition. We’ve also improved our membership routines to further strengthen dialogue and member value.
One new member is Seniorit AB, which works with innovation and consulting in sustainable energy systems.
– We don’t just need technical innovation – we need entirely new ways of working together in the energy field. Glava Energy Center is a great forum for that kind of development. Plus, there’s a great community here – it’s a good group of people, says Lars Olsson, CEO and founder of Seniorit AB.
Workshop with a Focus on the Future
In addition to the formal meeting items, the day included updates on current and upcoming projects and opportunities for informal exchange between members. A key element of the day was a workshop with member companies.
The purpose was to gather input on Glava Energy Center’s strategic direction and how the organization can best support member companies in their future development. The workshop continues previous member dialogues and is an important step in anchoring strategic priorities in actual needs and experiences.
– Sustainable innovations solve real problems while being profitable businesses. That’s what we want to support – and our members have the best insights into where those opportunities exist, says Ulrika Siösteen, Project Manager for the ‘Innovation Cluster’ project, which is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency and aims to strengthen member growth through cross-sectoral collaboration.
– The workshop also highlighted the importance of meeting places and facilitated conversations that build trust and cooperation between stakeholders. As a neutral actor, Glava Energy Center can play a key role in creating that kind of environment, adds Liselott Öberg Stridh.
On the technical side, energy storage, energy sharing, and preparedness and resilience were identified as particularly important topics, notes Ulrika Siösteen.
Strategic Expansion of Project Activities
In 2024, Glava Energy Center’s operations have been structured around three strategic areas: innovation, education, and energy leadership. Within the energy leadership area, efforts have focused on supporting companies, municipalities, and grid operators in working more proactively with energy-related issues. New projects are underway in areas such as energy communities, circularity, industrial electrification, and a Science Center for children and youth.
Sustainability is now more clearly integrated into the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all projects and activities, in line with the strategy developed during the year.
– Dialogue with our members is crucial to ensuring relevance and maximizing impact in our projects. It also gives us opportunities to expand our membership base and increase our collective influence, says Ulrika Siösteen.
Liselott Öberg Stridh adds:
– As a neutral actor in the energy sector, we want to act as an enabler for businesses and stakeholders. By listening to our members’ needs, we build a strong foundation for future projects, training initiatives, and innovation development.
About the Annual Meeting and Member Dinner
The Annual Meeting was held at Glava Energy Center in Hillringsberg, outside Arvika. Following the meeting, the traditional member dinner was hosted at Hillringsberg Manor, gathering nearly 80 members and honorary guests.
– It was great to see such strong turnout. I take it as a clear sign that our members are engaged and want to contribute to strengthening the organization even further, says Liselott Öberg Stridh.
Read more about becoming a member of Glava Energy Center.
Photo captions:
- Members Karol Oponowicz, CEO of zeronest, and Johan Schleimann-Jensen, CEO of The Storing Company AB, in conversation outside the conference venue Smedjan.
- What should Glava Energy Center focus on? Carl Sterky, Eolus Vind, Erica Åkerberg, Karlstad University, Anna Ericson Öberg, Volvo CE, Hongxia Li Karlsson, EnBrilion, Su-Ping Burman, SC Burman AB, and Ulf Orrebrink, EnBrilion.