Energy

In industry, buildings, locally and regional

More efficient use of energy and energy policies require a systems perspective: an action that reduces carbon dioxide emissions in one place may well multiply emissions many times over in another part of the system. LiU researchers study energy systems at three levels: in buildings, locally and regionally, and in industry.

Examples include studies of district heating, energy management in the process industry, obstacles and driving forces for energy optimization in industry, energy optimization in buildings built before 1945, and studies of low-energy housing.

The research is both deeply disciplinary and broadly multidisciplinary, and the objective is long-term development toward sustainable and efficient energy systems. For many years now, LiU has hosted the multidisciplinary Research School's Energy Systems Programme that has produced more than 80 PhDs and which is now moving into a new stage - the Research School Energy Systems.

Energy in buildings
Research ranges from studies of low-energy buildings to energy savings in buildings built before 1945, where consideration must be given to their cultural and historical value. Other examples are sustainable urban planning and the development of small-scale solar energy in buildings.

Local and regional energy
Research in this area is mainly related to social science, and the role of municipalities and regions in the changeover of energy systems is being studied, among other aspects. One example is the test bed for sustainable urban development that is being built in Östra Valla, Linköping.

Energy in industry
The potential for making energy savings in industry is huge, both in large and small enterprises. Researchers in this area have many years of experience in studying improved energy efficiency in the steel, pulp and paper industries, as well as smaller industries.

Research

People sitting near industrial plant in Oulu, Finland.

Linköping University Negative Emission Technologies (LUNETs)

An increasing number of climate targets require net negative emissions of carbon dioxide. Here we study the methods bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and biochar in the Nordic and Tanzania.

Cyclists at Slussen / Skeppsbron in Stockholm.

Energy-related practices in transition

The research project studies how social practices interrelate with policies aiming to reduce climate change and energy demand. Of particular importance is also to investigate how energy-related practices are framed, and how new standards are born.

Sustainable supply chains in Swedish industry

The project studies models and approaches that large companies are currently working with to promote an upstream sustainable supply chain, identify success factors and develop a new unique model for supplier sustainability assurance.

News about energy

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.

Professor Xavier Crispin and research engineers Ujwala Ail and Ziyauddin Khan, at the crimper that manufactures coin cell batteries, in the Laboratory of Organic Electronics.

Prize-winning technology for large-scale energy storage

Safe, cheap and sustainable technology for energy storage has been developed at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics. It is based on two major breakthroughs: the manufacture of wood-based electrodes in rolled form, and a new water-based electrolyte.

How to energy renovate older residential buildings

A new strategy for the energy renovation of older residential buildings would open opportunities to save energy and money, while reducing impact on the climate. The current guidelines do not take enough consideration of the type of house.

Graduate School

Graduate School in Energy Systems

Graduate School in Energy Systems purpose is to increase understanding of how energy system depends on the interaction between technology and society's regulatory framework, policy development and operators interests and behavior.

Related research

Biogas Solutions Research Center

BSRC is a national competence center for biogas research administered by the LiU. It's base for the development of innovative and resource-efficient biogas solutions often with positive local and regional effects on the environment and the economy.

Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, CSPR

CSPR is a platform for knowledge production to trigger and promote societal changes towards safe and just climate futures for all. Our goal is to create knowledge and methodological approaches that can support and advance climate actions.

Energy in Daily Life

Research at LiU is focused on how we use energy at different levels in society - how energy systems affect us and how we use energy in our own everyday lives.

Energy

In industry, buildings, locally and regional

Research