European cooperation key to greening energy and boosting competitiveness

The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) brings together, organises and accelerates European energy research to meet the EU's climate goals. Achieving the ambitious goals of green transition, European competitiveness and climate-neutral energy requires cooperation across Europe.

More focus and funding for energy research

– The challenges of creating a sustainable future cannot be solved in isolation. Innovation and development happen when people, companies and nations come together, share knowledge and help each other. Together in EERA we can influence and improve what happens in energy development, says Paul Halle Zahl Pedersen.

An important part of the EERA's work is to influence that energy is given more focus and research funding within the EU.

– Recently, much attention has been focused on issues such as defence and security, but we must not forget about working for a sustainable future. A lot of resources and money are needed to invest in research and to develop technologies that will drive development forward.

Europeisk samverkan en nyckelfaktor 

As Europe's largest energy research alliance, EERA brings together some of the continent's most prominent research and innovation players, with institutes, universities and industry working together to meet the EU's climate goals.

– For example, if we decide to do a project on battery safety, the university has a lot of basic research and the institute has complementary research and testing facilities. Then the industry wants to use the battery and develop it further. In this process, cooperation and knowledge sharing are crucial, says Paul Halle Zahl Pedersen.

This at a time when competition is increasing from Asia and the US.

– Accelerating the development of fossil-free energy at the right price would be a major competitive advantage for Europe's beleaguered industries. We do not want to be left behind, but we want to create a favourable climate so that major investments and initiatives end up in Sweden and Europe.

How will this help to achieve the goals of a more sustainable future?

– That is a tough question. For me, it's all about moving forward and getting better. There is no single answer. But the more you invest in innovation, research and development, the more you move the world forward.  

“Creating a sustainable future concerns us all” 

Paul Halle Zahl Pedersen has worked with energy most of his life and hopes that Europe will continue to take a major responsibility in this area. Through the work of EERA, there is more focus on Sweden – something that Swedish organisations and companies can benefit from.

– Through the EERA we know what is going on in Europe, we can connect Swedish actors with others and exchange important information. Sweden is a role model for green energy, so we have an important role to play in inspiring and helping other countries,' says Paul Halle Zahl Pedersen.

Despite the huge challenges ahead in meeting the EU's climate targets, Paul Halle Zahl Pedersen is optimistic.

– Common problems require common solutions. We are making good progress but there is still a lot of work to do. It's a long-term endeavour and meeting the targets will require all of us to stick together and keep working together, he says. 

RISE is one of more than 250 members of the EERA and has been a member of the organisation's Executive Committee since May 2024.

– We want to contribute with our strengths and knowledge, for example, we have a broad test and demonstration activity that fits the theoretical research that takes place in other countries. Hopefully, we can help industries transition to greener operations, help ease the energy crisis and create more green energy. For example, by getting industries to use more sustainable materials or by creating processes that are less dependent on burning fossil fuels, says Paul Halle Zahl Pedersen.