Energy
The transition to sustainable energy systems, in Sweden and globally, is one of the major challenges of our time. Most of the global emissions from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are associated with energy supplies and transport. Consequently, climate change is largely an energy issue. Managing the rapid transition to the fossil-free welfare country that Sweden and many other countries aim to be requires a massive technology shift. A far-reaching reorganisation of the energy system and the transport sector will affect large parts of our society.
Energy research has long been a prioritised area at Uppsala University. The University has strong clusters in areas ranging from energy transition technologies, storage, fuels and energy transmission, research on energy efficiency and negative emissions, to research on societal reorganisation and climate change leadership. The University’s campuses in Uppsala and Visby are located in regions with ambitious goals for responding to climate change, which means there is great potential for collaboration with local actors.
Examples of ongoing research
Interdisciplinary collaboration favours society’s energy transition
For a successful transition to a sustainable energy system, there must be comprehensive research on,...
Artificial photosynthesis could generate new fossil-free fuels
Sun, water and carbon dioxide interacting in artificial photosynthesis. According to researchers at ...
Batteries of the future
Battery research is an important piece of the puzzle for the transition to renewables and a sustaina...
His blue-green bacteria could produce biofuel in the future
While Peter Lindblad has served in many academic roles over the years, it is to research that he alw...
Fossil-free energy – a challenge for the whole of society
The transition to a fossil-free energy system, in Sweden and globally, is one of the great challenge...
Catching the sun with new technology
A new technology that can significantly increase electricity and heat production from solar radiatio...
Programmes, projects and initiatives
Competence centre Solar Energy Research Centre Sweden (SOLVE)
The SOLVE solar energy research centre is a new part of the Swedish Energy Agency’s investments between 2022 and 2026 into centres of excellence for sustainable energy systems and is coordinated from Uppsala University.
SOLVE is a strategic partnership between Sweden’s excellent research base within solar energy and a broad and committed group of actors in the public and private sector. The centre’s shared vision is more widespread use of solar energy in Sweden through smart and well thought-out integration in cities, on land and in the energy system, to contribute to the sustainability goals. The centre also intends to offer a clear role for Swedish companies in the expansion of solar energy both in Sweden and internationally.
Competence centre Academic-Industrial Nuclear Technology Initiative to Achieve a Future Sustainable Energy Supply (ANItA)
The ANItA competence centre is part of the Swedish Energy Agency’s investment in competence centres, for the period 2022–2026, in the area of sustainable energy systems, and is led by Uppsala University.
ANItA assembles much of Sweden’s industrial and academic nuclear expertise under one umbrella with the purpose to support development of a knowledge-based strategy for introducing small modular reactors in Sweden. The work of the centre is multidisciplinary and covers not only nuclear technology but also licensing and regulatory aspects as well as issues related to the impact of the introduction of new nuclear technology on industry and society’s techno-economic strategies.
Research initiative BATTERY 2030+
The research initiative BATTERY 2030+ brings together academia, industry and funding bodies in the quest for the next generation of high-efficiency, sustainable and safe batteries.
The goal of the initiative is to invent the batteries of the future, providing the European batteries industry with new disruptive technologies and a competitive edge. The initiative, which is supported by the former EU framework programme Horizon 2020 through a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), builds on interdisciplinary approaches supported by both industry and academia.
Batteries Sweden (BASE)
Research which aims to create new types of light, cheap and environmentally friendly and safe batteries with ultrahigh energy storage capacity.
Research programme STandUP for Energy (STandUP)
STandUP for Energy (STandUP) is a collaboration between Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Luleå University of Technology.
The research programme arose as a result of the government’s commitment to high-quality research in areas of strategic importance to society and industry. An energy supply that is sustainable in the long term is one of the greatest global challenges of the coming decades. The research groups in the programme share a vision of a future in which society will have access to renewable, reliable, cost-effective energy for housing, trade, transport and industry. If the large-scale use of electricity from renewable energy sources is to increase, new technologies must be introduced and existing technologies further developed.
Research programme STandUP for Energy (STandUP)
Energy Transition on Gotland
Energy Transition on Gotland is a long-term collaboration with the primary goal of identifying the measures needed to make the energy system on Gotland 100 per cent renewable. It is an interdisciplinary project with researchers who have cutting-edge expertise in fields including renewable energy, planning and acceptance, energy efficiency and storage, climate change and transport. The project combines Gotland’s specific geographical circumstances with ongoing research and education in energy transition and wind power.