DIET – Measuring a Sustainable Energy Transition

Are we measuring what really matters for a sustainable energy transition to happen? The DIET project brings together researchers, civil servants, strategists, and policymakers in Värmland to explore exactly this. The goal is to gradually build a shared understanding of which indicators are needed to capture social, environmental, and economic dimensions—while also promoting social innovations that benefit people.

Project Facts

• Name: DIET – Development of Sustainability Indicators to drive Innovation for Energy Transition
• Duration: January 1 – December 31, 2025
• Coordinator: Karlstad University
• Partner: Glava Energy Center
• Project Manager: Avit Bhowmik, Karlstad University, email: avit.bhowmik@kau.se
  Funder: Vinnova – Sweden’s Innovation Agency

Why is DIET Needed?

Värmland faces major challenges and opportunities in the energy transition. The region currently has an electricity deficit and grid capacity limitations—while demand for electricity is steadily increasing.

Success will require not just technical solutions, but also social innovation: new ways of working together, new business models, and solutions to societal challenges that involve people and create real value.

Previous studies show that today’s indicators often focus heavily on economics and technology, and do a poor job of capturing the social and environmental dimensions. In addition, they are not well suited to supporting social innovation.

What Does DIET Aim to Change?

Through this project, we aim to:

• Work collaboratively with civil servants, strategists, researchers, and policymakers.
• Conduct three Delphi workshops to co-create the content step by step.
• Develop indicators for a sustainable energy transition in Värmland that also support social innovation.

Why?
To:

• Provide a broader picture of the progress of the energy transition – including social and environmental aspects.
• Use new indicators not just to track progress, but also to guide direction and promote change.
• Support better evidence for strategies and political decision-making.

How Will It Work?

The project is carried out in close collaboration between Karlstad University and Glava Energy Center. We use the Delphi method—a proven process for co-creating knowledge and building shared understanding through a series of workshops. It is especially useful when there’s no clear answer and multiple perspectives are needed.

The work is conducted in three phases:

• Current state analysis: What are we measuring today?
• Future vision: Identify gaps. What else should we measure? What additional indicators are needed?
• Strategic plan: Agreement on proposals for new indicators that can better contribute to a sustainable energy transition.

Participants in the process include civil servants and strategists from the County Administrative Board and regional development agencies, researchers, and policymakers—all with key roles in Värmland’s energy transition.

Glossary – What Do These Terms Mean?

Sustainability – Taking environmental, social, and economic aspects into account—simultaneously and in the long term. Three dimensions = environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Indicators – Metrics that show how something develops over time. They help us understand whether we’re on the right track. Example = share of renewable energy.

Social innovations – New solutions to societal challenges that create social value—often through collaboration, participation, and new ways of organizing. Example = energy communities.

Delphi method – A method for gathering knowledge and building shared understanding in several steps. Example = used when there’s no single correct answer and diverse perspectives are needed.

Image caption: View over Lake Vänern at Västra Skagene. Photo: Linn Malmén / Varumärket Värmland.