Green Light for Swedish-Norwegian Initiative on Energy Communities
A unique Swedish-Norwegian collaboration will develop local energy communities for residential and industrial areas in the border regions of Värmland, Dalarna, Innlandet, and Akershus. On the Swedish side, the project is led by Glava Energy Center in cooperation with Karlstad University and Dalarna Science Park.
The project is financed by participating actors, Region Värmland, and Region Dalarna, with co-funding from the EU through Interreg Sweden-Norway.
– The energy system is facing major challenges, and this project offers us an opportunity to develop smart solutions together that benefit both society and industry. By building local energy communities, we can create more robust and democratic energy solutions that strengthen sustainability in Värmland, Dalarna, Innlandet, and Akershus, says Magnus Nilsson, CEO of Glava Energy Center.
Focus on Energy Collaboration and Innovation
How can sufficient energy for households and businesses be ensured while reducing environmental impact in a socially fair way? This is a major shared challenge in the Swedish-Norwegian border regions of Värmland, Dalarna, Innlandet, and Akershus.
One potential solution is the development of so-called energy communities. In an energy community, nearby buildings are connected within a smaller system where energy can be produced, shared, recycled, and stored. This involves a local energy system where renewable energy such as solar power, energy storage, and smart control systems are used to optimize energy production, distribution, and consumption.
The purpose of the GränsENERGI project is to:
- Explore and implement new technical solutions and business models to create local energy communities in both residential and industrial areas.
- Map and identify needs and opportunities to increase energy availability, particularly in areas experiencing capacity constraints in the electricity grid.
- Strengthen and deepen cross-border collaboration to share knowledge, technology, and innovation between Sweden and Norway.
Overall, the project aims to develop innovative solutions that enhance energy security and support the green transition in the border region. On the Swedish side, Karlstad University and Dalarna Science Park are project partners.
– Karlstad University looks forward to contributing our research-based knowledge on smart energy systems. Through this project, we can translate new knowledge into concrete and practical solutions that meet both today’s and tomorrow’s energy needs, says Håkan Spjuth, Head of the Grants and Innovation Office and Coordinator of the Academy for Smart Specialisation at Karlstad University.
Cross-Border Collaboration: A Key Factor
The GränsENERGI project is built on close collaboration across the Swedish-Norwegian border. By leveraging the strengths of both Swedish and Norwegian actors, the project will create an innovation environment that is greater than the sum of its parts. On the Norwegian side, the project is led by Klosser Innovasjon.
– We face a shared challenge in securing sustainable energy solutions. By combining our resources and innovations on both sides of the border, we can achieve long-term results that truly make a difference, says Lars Gillund, Head of Klosser Innovasjon in Kongsvinger.
Project Facts
- Project Name: GränsENERGI: Innovative Solutions for the Energy Supply of the Future
- Project Period: 2025–2027
- Budget: Approximately SEK 29 million, 60% of which is financed by Interreg Sweden-Norway
- Project Owner: Glava Energy Center
- Partners: Karlstad University, Dalarna Science Park, University of Dalarna, Klosser Innovasjon, among others.
- The project aligns with the regional innovation strategies of Värmland and Dalarna. Smart energy systems are a prioritized focus area in both Region Värmland's Research and Innovation Strategy and Region Dalarna's Strategy for Regional Innovation 2022–2028.
Contact Information
For more information, contact:
- Magnus Nilsson, CEO, Glava Energy Center. Phone: +46 707-92 87 28. Email: magnus.nilsson@glavaenergycenter.se
- Håkan Spjuth, Head of the Grants and Innovation Office and Coordinator of the Academy for Smart Specialisation at Karlstad University. Phone: +46 70-683 10 40. Email: hakan.spjuth@kau.se
- Lars Gillund, Head, Klosser Innovasjon. Phone: +47 976 88 496. Email: lars@klosser.no