Through Innovite, actors in electricity, heating, industry, real estate and digitalisation are brought together to address some of the most pressing challenges in the energy system – such as limited grid capacity, uneven electricity production and growing demands for system robustness. The project aims to improve the conditions for collaboration, innovation and testing of solutions that can contribute to a smarter, more flexible and resilient energy system in Värmland and Sweden. Innovite is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.
Why is Innovite needed?
Sweden is facing several simultaneous challenges in the energy system. Electricity demand is increasing, while grid capacity is limited. At the same time, renewable energy production from solar and wind power is expanding rapidly. This places higher demands on flexibility, robustness and coordination – particularly in a time of increased societal vulnerability.
Today, many key actors in the energy transition operate within their own sectors. When electricity, heat, industry, buildings and digitalisation are not connected, the development of joint solutions is slowed down.
Innovite aims to help these actors meet, learn from one another and find new ways forward – together. The project name – Innovite – stands for Development of an Innovation Cluster for Sector Coupling.
What does Innovite aim to achieve?
The project seeks to improve the conditions for cooperation between sectors that do not usually meet. It’s about building bridges between technologies, perspectives and actors – and making processes, testbeds and knowledge more accessible.
More specifically, Innovite aims to:
- open up innovation environments to a broader range of actors.
- support the emergence of cross-sector collaborations.
- highlight and share lessons learned about sector coupling.
- emphasise the importance of gender equality and diversity in the energy transition.
Glossary – What do we mean?
Innovation: A new idea, technology or solution that creates real value – not just something new, but something better.
Sector coupling: When different sectors – such as electricity, heating, buildings and industry – work together to develop smarter energy solutions.
Innovation cluster: A group of companies, researchers and stakeholders collaborating to develop new ideas and solutions.
Testbed: A real-world environment where new technologies or services can be tested before large-scale deployment.
Flexibility in the energy system: The ability to adjust electricity and heat production or consumption based on supply and demand – for example, by using more electricity when it's abundant and less when it's scarce.
Resilience: The ability of a system to withstand disruptions and recover quickly – such as during power outages or crises.
Image caption: An energy system in transition needs new connections – between sectors, technologies and people. Innovite creates space for collaboration at the heart of the shift. Photo: Øyvind Lund / Varumärket Värmland.
Sector coupling
When different sectors – such as electricity, heating, buildings and industry – work together to develop smarter energy solutions.
Project Facts
PROJECT PERIOD
2025-04-01 – 2027-12-31
FUNDING
Swedish Energy Agency
PROJECT OWNER
Glava Energy Center
CALL
Innovation Clusters for a Sustainable and Robust Energy System, under the research programme The Future Electricity System.
02
Jun
02
Jun
FUNDING
