One year after winning the Swedish Energy Award – “It prompted former contacts to get back in touch”

Developing new technology is one thing. Getting a conservative industry to embrace it is another. One year after winning the Swedish Energy Award, dLab can see how the award has generated attention, new customer contacts and valuable external recognition.

When dLab received the Swedish Energy Award at Elfack 2025, it was not only the expert jury that had taken notice of the company’s technology. dLab also won the Visitors’ Choice Award, voted for by attendees at the exhibition.

For CEO Rickard Jacobsson, this recognition was particularly significant. dLab develops digital solutions that help grid operators detect anomalies and potential faults in the electricity grid before they lead to power outages. The system collects large amounts of data from the grid, analyses it and can, for example, identify signs of faulty components or vegetation-related issues.

“We create significant value for our customers. Receiving that recognition from the industry and from the people who actually work with these issues means a great deal,” says Rickard Jacobsson.

External recognition opened doors

One year later, he can also see more tangible effects of the award. dLab has used the award in its communications and received a clear response. Among other things, potential customers that the company had previously been in contact with have reached out again following the attention generated by the win.

This is particularly significant in an industry where the number of potential customers is limited and sales processes are often lengthy.

“It’s one thing for us to say ten times that we have a good solution. When that recognition comes from an independent third party, it provides a completely different level of validation. I would say the award has helped us enormously,” says Rickard Jacobsson.

Since Elfack 2025, dLab has also increased its customer base by more than 25 per cent. Rickard Jacobsson does not describe this as a direct result of a single award, but rather as the outcome of building visibility and trust over time. Elfack, the meetings held there and the additional attention following the Swedish Energy Award have together helped keep the company front of mind.

New technology has to prove that it works

The need for this type of validation is closely linked to the market in which dLab operates. The electricity grid is critical infrastructure. New solutions therefore cannot be introduced in the same way as in industries where there is greater scope for trial and error.

“You can develop the best product in the world, but if you can’t get it tested and validated, it’s very difficult to move forward. It has taken us ten to fifteen years to get to where we are today,” says Rickard Jacobsson.

At the same time, the need for new tools is growing rapidly. The electricity grid must accommodate electrification, new patterns of electricity generation and significantly greater power demand, while existing infrastructure needs to be used more efficiently. For dLab, development is therefore about providing grid operators with more and better information about what is actually happening in the grid.

Battery storage created a new need

One example is the functionality for large-scale battery storage that dLab has developed since the last Elfack. It was prompted by uncertainty the company observed among its customers: what actually happens in the electricity grid when large batteries are connected?

dLab’s solution monitors how batteries charge and discharge and automatically checks whether they remain within agreed limits. Deviations can be identified and analysed without anyone having to manually review every charging cycle.

“We noticed that it was sometimes almost easier to say no to a large-scale energy storage system simply because it was new and there was uncertainty about how the grid would respond. If we can provide that insight and reassurance, it also becomes easier to enable the energy transition.”

Over the past year, the company has continued to develop its core product and completed an acquisition that makes it possible to collect data further out in the distribution grid. The aim is to achieve greater precision and provide even better answers to three questions: What is going to fail, where will it happen and when?

“It’s difficult to stand out today”

The combination of technological development and the ability to reach the market is one of the reasons why the Swedish Energy Award exists.

“The award aims to highlight innovations that can contribute to electrification and give new solutions the opportunity to reach a wider audience,” says Anna Jarnö, responsible for Elfack and chair of the jury, continuing:

“The jury values the initiative and is keen to continue its work ahead of the next fair. Several of our experts have highlighted how the award can help give promising innovations greater visibility and, in doing so, accelerate the journey from new technology to practical application.”

For dLab, Elfack provided an opportunity to meet people from more parts of its customers’ organisations. Rickard Jacobsson describes the fair as one of the most important meeting places in the Scandinavian market, not least because both decision-makers and those who actually work with the systems are there.

More winners of the Swedish Energy Award

dLab was not the only company to receive an award in the Swedish Energy Award competition. Awards were also presented in the Jury’s Choice and Special Commendation categories.

In 2025, the Jury’s Choice went to Hitachi Energy for its innovative HyFlex hydrogen generator, which enables sustainable energy supply even in locations where access to the electricity grid is limited. A Special Commendation was awarded to Amiga for Amiga Reuse, a solution that extends the lifespan of temporary electrical products through take-back, repair and reuse.

Ahead of Elfack 2027, the opportunity is open once again. All exhibitors can submit innovations for the Swedish Energy Award. An expert jury will select the entries that move forward to compete for the award.

“I think you should go for it! It’s very difficult to stand out today, even if you have a great product. Here, you have the opportunity both to gain recognition from a highly qualified jury and to reach an audience with deep technical expertise. If you have a good solution, I definitely think you should submit it and pitch your idea,” concludes Rickard Jacobsson.

Elfack, Northern Europe’s largest meeting place for the electricity, energy and lighting sectors, takes place 11–14 May 2027 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg.

Read more about the Swedish Energy Award.