Energy Conference 2026 – Glava Energy Center

How do we build a more robust energy system in a time of electrification, increasing electricity demand and new requirements for energy security? During Energy Conference 2026 at Glava Energy Center, stakeholders from the energy sector, industry, the public sector and academia will meet to discuss solutions that strengthen the resilience of the energy system.

Programme

Subject to change.

Morning Session 09:00 – 11:00

 

Introduction

Conference moderators Magnus Nilsson and Eva Lingwall

Electrification of Industry and Society – The Solutions That Will Take Us All the Way

Bo Normark, expert in Swedish and European power technology, EIT InnoEnergy

 

THEME: LOCAL ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

 

International Outlook

Avit Bhowmik, researcher in environmental and climate solutions, Karlstad University

Early Dialogue and Energy Communities – A New Model for a Legitimate Energy Transition

Mikael Johnson, researcher, Service Research Center, Karlstad University

Panel Discussion: Increasing Local and Regional Electricity Production

• Maria Jepson, energy strategist, County Administrative Board of Värmland
• Stefan Ivarsson, regional development strategist, Region Värmland
• Moderator: Eva Lingwall, Glava Energy Center

From Forest Land to Energy Resource – Stora Enso’s Investment in Local Renewable Energy

Caroline Nyberg Wass, Stora Enso Energy Development

 

Midday Session 11:00 – 13:30

• Mini exhibition
• Guided tours of the testbeds
• Discussion islands
• Matchmaking
• Lunch

 

Afternoon Session 13:30 – 16:00

 

THEME: BUSINESS MODELS AND REGULATIONS

 

Managing Increased Power Demand and Capacity Constraints Through Flexibility Markets

Darijan Jelica, flexibility market expert, Flexia Consulting

Panel Discussion: Developing Business Models and Regulatory Frameworks

• Olof Öberg, grid manager, Teknik i Väst
• Henrik Rinnemo, Ellevio
• Christer Bergerland, Tuggelite
• Moderators: David Olsson, Glava Energy Center, and Darijan Jelica, Flexia Consulting

 

THEME: ENERGY STORAGE

 

When Energy Storage Becomes Preparedness – From Ancillary Service to Societal Resource

Ebba Lillo, Research and Development Engineer, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Island Mode Operation Protects Arholma from Power Outages

Kjell Johansson, Vattenfall Eldistribution

THEME: SECTOR COUPLING

 

Companies’ Electricity Demand – New Report

Per Hydén, Head of Business Policy, Chamber of Commerce Värmland

Panel Discussion: Strengthening Sector Coupling

Which basic functions do we need to secure across sector boundaries, and what can we start doing here and now? Energy systems, society and food supply.

• Maria Axelsson, CEO WW Sparbank
• Anna Laggren, Operation manager Nevel
• Claes Jonasson, CEO Nifa  (Nordic Innovation Food Arena)
• Christina Wolf, Project manager Glava Energy Center
• Moderator: Ulrika Siösteen, Glava Energy Center

 

THEME: ELECTRIFICATION

 

Business Value Through Flexibility and Electrification – Experiences from Steel Manufacturer Uddeholm

Simon Strandberg, Uddeholm

Panel Discussion: Industrial Electrification in Värmland

Industrial environments and electricity grids in Värmland are key actors in a new long-term initiative focused on industrial electrification. In the project Electrically Flexible Industry, co-funded by Vinnova and the research and innovation programme Advanced Digitalisation, industrial and grid actors will test electrification, process optimisation, energy storage and data sharing in real industrial environments.

• Oliver Ingwall King, Project Manager, Glava Energy Center
• Erica Åkerberg, Research Advisor, Karlstad University
• Henrik Rinnemo, Ellevio
• Jenny Kongseryd, Jönköpings Energi
• Moderators: Bo Normark, EIT InnoEnergy, and Magnus Nilsson, Glava Energy Center

Keynotes

 

Bo Normark, Expert in Swedish and European Power Technology, InnoEnergy

Electrification of industry and society – the solutions that take us all the way

The need for electrification of industry and society is significant – but what is required to make electrification both feasible and sustainable?

Bo Normark provides an overarching perspective on how smart grids, energy storage and technological development interact – and how they can enable wind power, solar energy and other renewable energy sources to reach their full potential. Drawing on international experience, he shares his view on the solutions that are critical for electrification – and why Sweden is well positioned to take a leading role.

Read our interview with Bo Normark.

 

Ebba Lillo, Research and Development Engineer at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

When energy storage becomes preparedness – from ancillary service to societal resource

Can battery storage systems currently used in the electricity market also help maintain critical societal functions during a power outage?

In this presentation, Ebba Lillo shares insights from an ongoing project in Grums, where battery storage is being tested as a resource for islanded operation and energy preparedness. Based on concrete examples, she highlights both the potential and the challenges within today’s system – including certain technical conditions as well as aspects related to regulations and business models.

Read our interview with Ebba Lillo.

 

Darijan Jelica, Flexibility Market Expert at Flexia Consulting

Managing increased power demand and capacity constraints with flexibility markets

Rising power demand and electrification are reducing available capacity in local electricity grids. Darijan Jelica demonstrates how local flexibility markets, as a strategic complement to grid expansion, can change the conditions by activating flexibility where it actually exists.

Based on real cases from, among others, Mölndal and Borås, he highlights both opportunities and limitations – and why solutions need to be adapted to the structure of the grid, its actors and available resources.

Read our interview with Darijan Jelica.

 

Caroline Nyberg Wass, Stora Enso Energy Development

From Forest Land to Energy Resource – Stora Enso’s Investment in Local Renewable Energy

How can forest land contribute to increased local energy production and support the energy transition? Caroline Nyberg Wass from Stora Enso will present the company’s work with wind and solar power on its own land – through in-house projects, partnerships and collaborations with external developers.

The session focuses on how renewable energy production can create value both for the energy system and for local communities.

Programme

The conference programme includes:

• Stage sessions with speakers, discussions and panel debates linked to the conference themes
• Lunch, networking and guided visits of the physical test environment
• Opportunities to explore Glava Energy Center’s testbeds and meet other actors in the energy sector

Five Themes of the Conference

The programme revolves around five areas that can strengthen the resilience of the energy system.

1. Increase local and regional electricity production. More electricity production from solar and wind close to where it is used reduces dependence on long-distance transmission and frees up hydropower where it is needed most.

2. Strengthen sector coupling. When energy systems, industry, buildings and society are connected, resources can be used more efficiently and new solutions can emerge.

3. Develop business models and regulatory frameworks. Local flexibility markets, energy communities and new forms of energy agreements can contribute to increased energy security – both in everyday operation and during disruptions.

4. Build energy buffers. Energy storage in the form of batteries, thermal storage and other solutions can create flexibility and stability in the energy system.

5. Drive electrification. The electrification of industry and society reduces dependence on imported fuels and strengthens energy supply.

Price and Registration

The conference fee includes lunch and coffee.

• Members of Glava Energy Center, partners in the LOKEN project, municipalities and municipal companies: SEK 1,295 excl. VAT.
• Other participants: 1,995 SEK excl. VAT

In case of cancellation after the registration deadline or no-show, a fee of 400 SEK excl. VAT will be charged.

Register