The county offers high academic expertise through Linköping University, which has strong activities in environmental technology and management, energy systems and the laboratory of organic electronics (LOE).
There are also research centers such as the Biogas Solutions Research Center and the Wallenberg Wood Science Center, which drive research and development in the field.
Values that Östergötland can offer companies in energy and battery
- Knowledge and experience regarding industrial and urban symbiosis generated by operations at Händelö Eco Industrial Park.
- Facilitation of knowledge transfer from Linköping University and the Biogas Solutions Research Center, as well as establishment of contacts with relevant researchers and students for various types of assignments (e.g., project and thesis work).
- Relationship-building activities and networking opportunities with existing industry and potential partners.
- Support in identifying relevant waste and by-product flows – based on quantity and quality – that can be utilized as input materials in new production: waste heat, carbon dioxide, and other resource flows.
- Assistance in developing innovation, commercialization, internationalization, production, and processes through the region's innovation and business development system.
- Support in liaising with municipalities regarding land access and other relevant establishment issues.
- Guidance on relevant public grants and corporate financing.
Industrial structure
For the past 20 years, a symbiotic operation known as Händelö Eco Industrial Park has been conducted outside of Norrköping. Here, residual heat from E.ON's combined heat and power production is utilized in Lantmännen Biorefineries' production of high-value products from agricultural raw materials, while the carbon dioxide generated in the process is captured and sold to the food industry.
In Östergötland, there are also many other companies active in energy and battery, including: Siemens Energy, Svensk Biogas, Ligna Energy, Againity and Epishine. Additionally, there is also public sector activity (which can be carried out by private operators) in waste management, combined heat and power production, and water and wastewater management that is at the forefront of contributing to the creation of a resource-efficient region.
This film presents the symbiosis at Händelö Eco Industrial Park External link. outside Norrköping where residual heat from E.ON is used to produce ethanol at the facility of Lantmännen Biorefineries.
Industrial and urban symbiosis involves companies collaborating to utilize each other's resources, such as waste, excess materials or energy, which reduces environmental impact through decreased waste and more efficient resource use. This leads to lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Economically, it is advantageous because it can lower costs for raw materials and waste management or energy use, while also creating new business opportunities and strengthening companies' competitiveness. A by-product from, for example, an industry can also serve as a basis for establishing new operations, such as utilizing biogenic carbon dioxide or residual heat.
The regional innovation eco system
Within the energy and battery, there are several actors in the innovation eco system, such as the Energy Agency of Östergötland, which works for secure energy supply and increased capacity for sustainable transition. Cleantech Östergötland is a membership-based organization primarily active in innovation and business development in logistics, sustainable construction, and industry. Norrköping Science Park (NOSP) is an innovation environment located next to Campus Norrköping, Linköping University. They conduct activities in several areas linked to research, start-ups and business development, e.g. within energy, organic electronics and electrochemistry.
Vreta Kluster is an innovation environment and a tool for technology, business, and innovation development in the green sectors, meaning all those working in agriculture, forestry, energy, food, and related industries. Examples of areas where the innovation eco system can be helpful include:
- Finding resource flows for own production
- Identifying industrial collaboration partners
- Analysis of production and processes
- Analysis of business models
- Identification of public financing
- Contacts with research and other public actors relevant to the planned establishment
Research at Linköping University
Linköping University is a leading player in research and innovation in bioeconomy (including organic electronics), industrial and urban symbiosis, as well as fossil-free fuels (primarily biogas), with activities taking place at among others the Department of Environmental Technology and Management and the Department of Energy Systems.
The Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC) is a competence center that contributes important research in biogas. They work on developing and optimizing processes for biogas production from organic waste and biomass. BSRC also researches various technologies for biogas production, including anaerobic digestion, as well as how to improve the efficiency and sustainability of these processes.
The university also has strong research in industrial and urban symbiosis, focusing on creating sustainable and resource-efficient systems. The research aims to achieve a better understanding of existing industrial and urban symbiosis networks. This includes studying how such networks are established, identifying key factors and how this can be stimulated, as well as contributing to the development of new symbiotic processes.
Test beds
Printed Electronics Arena
A testing and demonstration facility focused on printed organic electronics, where companies and researchers can develop, test, and demonstrate innovative products and technologies in this field. The facility offers advanced resources and expertise to promote innovations in printed electronics.
The EbbePark test bed
Aimed at exploring and testing the future of urban development, with a particular focus on new technologies related to energy, water, and building materials. Here, stakeholders from industry and academia collaborate to develop sustainable solutions that can be integrated into future urban environments.
Competence supply
Linköping University, with approximately 40,000 students, ranks among the top 2% of universities in the world in several international rankings. The university has a strong focus on technical education and engineering programs. Education relevant to energy and battery includes: Energy, Environment, Management; Sustainability Engineering and Management; Technical Biology; Environmental Science Program; Mechanical Engineering; Industrial Economics. Linköping University also has the capability to conduct tailored continuing education programs for already employed individuals based on organizations' specific needs. Additionally, there are several vocational training programs (Higher Vocational Education – HVE) focused on technology, such as automation, operations, and facilities.
Financing
Companies involved in energy and battery can benefit from a range of public support and financing opportunities. Vinnova and the Swedish Energy Agency offer support for innovation and industrialization, while the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) finances projects related to the energy transition and circular economy.
Support through the ERDF cannot be provided directly to individual companies, but rather to actors within the innovation eco system, which can in turn help develop companies, industries, and value chains. The needs of businesses form the basis for the projects that this program finances.
Additionally, Almi Företagspartner, besides offering services in business development, can also provide financing in the form of loans and venture capital.
The role of Region Östergötland as a regional investment promotion agency
Region Östergötland receives various establishment inquiries either through Business Sweden or directly from individual companies. The Region makes an initial assessment of which municipalities in the county may be relevant for the establishment and then sends out a request to them. They are asked to respond on whether they believe the investment aligns with their strategies or if they otherwise have the capacity to accommodate the current establishment.
Additional support can also be offered, such as assistance during site visits. In the context of the energy and battery, expert knowledge can also be provided through the Energy Agency of Östergötland and Cleantech Östergötland. In this case, it may involve subject matter expertise for both the relevant company and the municipalities that may be pertinent to the establishment.
Senast uppdaterad