Energy systems in society

The subject of sustainable energy systems raises questions of who we are as humans and what society we live in. To reach the Swedish goal of having net zero emissions by 2045, we need knowledge and competence that can contribute to develop new ideas and solutions.

Our society faces large challenges related to energy, which all require that we act on a solid foundation of knowledge. These challenges can be related to anything from policy to how values can change and effect people’s behaviours. They can also be related to creating inclusive processes in the innovation of the energy sector.

Understanding the relations between technology and other parts of our society are central. Without this understanding, we will not be able to increase the speed of the energy transition and reach the goals set out by the world’s leaders. To succeed with that mission, societies and individuals need to be ready to change and contribute to sustainable energy systems.

The Swedish Energy Agency supports a range of organizations that want to incorporate a societal perspective on the energy transition and its consequences. In the long term this will lead to an increase in individuals with expert knowledge about how to handle the cooperation between different players in the energy systems – and thus contribute to the readiness of the Swedish society ahead of the energy transition.

Challenges

  • Cooperation between technology, organizations, and society
  • Energy systems in relation to other societal objectives
  • Energy- and climate transitions as a global challenge