Innovation driving the efficient electrification of industry

An innovative collaboration project is starting this autumn in Trollhättan. With a focus on power efficiency, the aim is to find solutions for electrical systems and industrial transformation.

– We will test solutions that have never been tried before in Sweden and probably not anywhere else in the world, says Magnus Kuschel, a participant in the project and innovation leader at Innovatum Science Park.

Understanding the complexity of an energy system is not easy. At a societal level, electricity demand in Sweden will double within 20 years and today’s fossil fuel dependence will decrease. However, western Sweden needs to triple its use, and quickly. The transition applies to both new electrification in industry and transport and major industrial establishments.

At present, however, electricity shortages are not a problem in Sweden, but there is a challenge when it comes to power shortages. There is a power shortage when the electricity that is needed is not available in a specific time and place. This tends to happen locally when many people need electricity at exactly the same time and a classic example is when it is cold, and industries start up their operations in the morning at exactly the same time.

– It is now crucial to phase out fossil fuels while avoiding power shortage situations. Therefore, we need to ensure that when power is limited it is used efficiently and more flexibly. For example, we can’t allow electric vehicles to put a strain on the system just when industry needs the most power, explains Magnus Kuschel, Innovation Manager at Innovatum Science Park.

Focus on industry

Trollhättan Energi, Kraftstaden, University West and Innovatum Science Park, together with entrepreneurs in an industrial area in Trollhättan, have asked themselves the question: How can charging possibilities be increased without increasing the total power consumption in the electricity grid? As part of a larger development project, Fyrbodal for the future of flex, the prerequisites for reducing power in electric car chargers when the power output is at its highest in industry are being explored with the help of a Living Lab.

Previous attempts have either focused on optimising for individual entrepreneurs or optimising on price signals at the national level. Here, the focus is on achieving power efficiency in the area for the local grid and for all concerned in the area. In this way, industries and new businesses can grow without having to wait for investments in capacity enhancements.

– The objective is not to save energy, but rather to redistribute the power load and thus reduce power consumption. We want to explore what incentives might exist to develop solutions that maximise the benefits for both business and social partners. What are the ways to buy and sell power between each other? How can we borrow, swap and change power outputs between each other? What is the value of a transferred kilowatt hour? says Jenny Andersson, business developer at Trollhättan Energi.

Testing new energy solutions is at the heart of the Living Lab. Because it’s not just a theoretical concept, but a real project where the tests take place directly in an established industrial area. Where everything comes down to one important aspect: Unlocking power for the industrial activities in the area. This is already very topical and will continue to be so in the future.

The energy system of the future is local

– The technology is there, as are the entrepreneurs and innovators, but we need to get everyone on board with smart electrification. This is also a knowledge-building project where we want to raise awareness among industries and entrepreneurs in the area about how the energy system is changing, says Jenny Andersson.

The energy system of the future will be about localised solutions where better preparedness, higher self-sufficiency, responsible energy production and flexibility play a central role. By utilising energy closer to the point of production, industry can reduce costs and increase sustainability.

– A lot has changed in a short time and now more people need to become more involved in their use and the supply of electricity to avoid losing competitiveness. In addition, the introduction of a tariff structure with new power components creates the conditions for not being financially affected by the costs of ‘unnecessary’ power consumption, Jenny Andersson explains.

Picture text: Jenny Andersson, Business Developer at Trollhättan Energi, and Magnus Kuschel, Innovation Manager at Innovatum Science Park, are taking steps towards power-efficient electrification.

Charging smartly by spreading the load

What could proactive energy planning in an industrial area like Kardanvägen look like? There is a need to avoid maximising the power of EV chargers when people come to work and plug in their EVs, as there will be a power shortage if industrial processes start up at the same time.

– Instead, there may be solutions that optimise power output across the industrial estate. This means that when the car is plugged in, it is first charged at a low power. Only when the clock approaches eleven o’clock, when the other power peaks have subsided, does the charging of cars at higher power start. This means there is no difference when it is time to go home. Cars get the same amount of charging, but the change means that power is being properly utilised. We avoid overloading the system when power is needed for industrial activities. It’s about shifting the load in time to better match the need, says Magnus Kuschel.

Faith in the future of smart energy solutions

– There are great opportunities for smart electrification and flexible energy systems in various industrial areas. At the same time, we can learn a lot through the testing that takes place in our Living Lab, says Magnus Kuschel.

There is potential to scale up the solutions and apply them to other industrial sectors, both nationally and internationally.

– We hope that the experience from Kardanvägen can pave the way for similar projects in other regions. Delivering power-efficient solutions and being fast in implementation will be crucial for the industry’s continued development, says Magnus Kuschel.

Jenny Andersson shares Magnus Kuschel’s vision of the future and emphasises the importance of building a flexible energy system to which all players contribute.

– This type of solution is about more than just technology. It’s a change in how we think about power, energy and capacity. I believe that in the future we will see many more collaborations between energy companies and industrial companies, where they work together to create sustainable and efficient energy systems, says Jenny Andersson.

Efficient electrification of industry will become increasingly important in the future. Kardanvägen in Trollhättan is a good example of how collaboration and innovative solutions are helping to achieve this. This spring, there will be exciting results. Magnus Kuschel and Jenny Andersson will take the stage at Elfack 2025 to talk about Living Lab and what will be required to enable power efficiency and the flexible energy systems of the future.

At Elfack, the electricity and energy industry will gather around activities and discussions focusing on the ongoing societal transition and how it is enabled in an effective way.

Read more about Elfack 2025.

Facts about Living Lab

A Living Lab is being implemented in an industrial area on Kardanvägen in Trollhättan with Trollhättan Energi, Kraftstaden, University West and Innovatum Science Park as well as local companies. The industrial area is used to test the development of future electricity systems and is part of a larger regional development project – Fyrbodal for the future flex. The aim of the Living Lab is to reduce power peaks, optimise energy flows and find flexible solutions to meet future challenges in the electricity grid infrastructure. By using real-life conditions, new technologies, business models and solutions with societal benefits are tested to contribute to the sustainable electrification of industry.