Focus on: Energy efficiency

Welcome to LiU’s focus on energy efficiency.

energy systems- sun and wind energy power plants Photo credit iStock

Fuel shortages and sky-high electricity prices – Sweden and many parts of the world were hit in 2022 by the worst energy crisis since the oil crisis at the beginning of the 1970s. Energy efficiency is often brought up in the hunt for solutions – the idea that households and companies should simply use less energy. But the difficult question, of course, is “How?”.

Linköping University is home to extensive research that can contribute to the answer. The university also offers education and several other activities that focus on energy efficiency. You can read here the latest news from our research and find out more about other activities in the field.

Resent research

Electricity from renewable sources can increase with flexible systems

Energy flow from solar and wind power is uneven, and depends on the weather. However, research from LiU shows that a flexible energy system in which district heating, electricity production, and industry work together can balance energy consumption.

News

Research into energy conservation in the aluminium industry

Two company-based factors – support from management and owners, and a long-term energy strategy – are high on the wishlist of the aluminium industry, as it moves to reduce energy consumption. LiU researchers have investigated barriers and drivers.

Key indicators can help industry save energy

By comparing different industrial processes, companies and official bodies can increase their knowledge about possible savings of energy. There is a huge potential for reductions in energy consumption and less impact on the climate.

Energy and innovations boost the Swedish paper industry

The Swedish pulp and paper industry could significantly improve its competitiveness by linking innovation with savings in energy consumption. This is the conclusion of recently completed research project at LiU.

Aluminium profiles at Gränges in Finspång.

Huge potential for energy savings in the aluminium industry

The Swedish aluminium industry could save huge amounts of energy and significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. There are strong driving forces for this, but also significant barriers. These are the conclusions of a new PhD-thesis at LiU.

How energy renovations of older buildings can reduce energy use

Energy renovation of older multi-family buildings can nearly halve energy use. When considering costs, it is usually better to renovate a building than to demolish it and build a new one. These are the conclusions of a thesis presented at LiU.

Large positive secondary effects when industry saves energy

Improvements in energy efficiency in industry often give rise to large positive secondary effects. Even so, these added values are seldom given weight when considering whether to reduce energy consumption.

Participate in a megagame

Switching the Current

Through so-called Megagames, the project "Switching the current" aims to increase knowledge about how current design and transformation of the energy system affects the surrounding society, environment and climate.