Broadening battery knowledge through collaboration 8 April
The battery initiative Compel and Uppsala University's new research institute in green energy transition are organising a workshop on raw materials, societal challenges and legislation linked to the battery value chain. On Tuesday 8 April at Geocentrum and via Zoom, speakers from industry organisations, business, authorities and academia will gather.
Example of raw material for batteries. Photo: Copilot (AI)
The public programme is partly about raw materials in Sweden and Europe with a focus on batteries, but also about social aspects and legislation for the extraction of raw materials in Sweden.
From Uppsala University, we will learn about current research from several different faculties. Alireza Malehmir, Professor of Geophysics, will talk about trends in mineral raw materials and insights from the Smart Exploration Research Centre. Carl Fredrik Bergström from the Department of Law will talk about the EU regulatory framework and the context of the Critical Raw Materials Act, and Tom Mels from the Department of Human Geography will give a talk on ‘From raw materials to refined justice: indigenous rights and existential landscapes’.
The invited guests also create together a broader perspective on green transition. The societal need for battery raw materials is highlighted by Pär Weihed, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Luleå University. Bo Normark from the EU-funded company EIT InnoEnergy gives an overview of the battery value chain and the need in the Nordic region and Europe. Maria Sunér, CEO of Svemin - the industry organisation for mines, mineral and metal producers in Sweden, speaks on the theme "The need is there and we have the potential. So why aren't more mines opening in Sweden and the EU?"
Furthermore, Lotta Sörlin from Jernkontoret talks about Swedish Metals & Minerals - a programme within Impact Innovation. The Swedish Geological Survey (SGU) will be represented by Kaj Lax, who will focus on ‘The geological potential - what do we know today and what are we doing to increase knowledge?’.