Research data enables better decisions in complex questions

Complexity has increased in several areas. Legal requirements have been raised, uncertain factors have emerged, and it can be difficult to differentiate between new, properly grounded technologies from transient trends. It is always hard to predict the future. At the same time, policy instruments developed at an authority, through a company’s investments or by means of a new regulatory framework in a municipality often have consequences for several decades down the line. It is clear that the need for well-prepared and research-based data for decision-making has increased.

– “We see that we are more frequently asked to answer a specific question. For instance, what a municipality needs to do to manage the energy supply going forward, or how to obtain an overview of exploitation opportunities in an area with different, conflicting sustainability interests,” explains Inger-Lise Svensson, Head of the System Transition and Service Innovation Unit at RISE.

– “My field of research, energy, is a clear example of the rapid changes taking place right now,” says Liv Lundberg, who researches energy and environmental systems analysis at RISE. “In Sweden, we have had roughly the same levels of production and consumption for a relatively long time. Production is now changing quickly as wind power is rapidly expanding, while consumption patterns are changing with electrification in the transport sector and other industries. This changes the conditions for many, but you may need help to understand how.”

Not only about increased complexity

They underscore that it is not only about things becoming more difficult and complex, but also involves enjoyable processes where, for example, municipalities have joined forces to become carbon neutral and want to find the best ways of achieving this.

– “There are, of course, examples where a new system has been introduced, or where changes have been made to an existing one, which then ends up not working,” says Lundberg. “It can be expensive, harm the trust of citizens or businesses, and increase the risk of social goals not being achieved. This means it’s better to think proactively.”

Knowledge from ongoing research

RISE possesses knowledge in a multitude of technical fields, as well as the means to simulate changes in an even greater number of areas. When working with data for decision-making, knowledge from ongoing research at RISE can also be utilised.

– “You should approach whomever is best for the specific data you need,” explains Lundberg. “One advantage of RISE is that we are very accustomed to working directly with customers while also conducting in-depth research.”

– “We naturally work both with public operators and with large and small companies,” says Svensson. “The research questions are, of course, different. For an authority or municipality, it may involve questions about how to best introduce policy instrument X, while for a company it is often about how policy instrument X will affect them, and how they can deal with it.”

RISE’s relevance grows with the number of parameters

When a municipality or company turns to RISE, a process begins by formulating the distinct question for which answers are sought. Sometimes, larger analyses are required than a small municipality can pay for, but then RISE brings together several municipalities or helps to apply for research funding from an EU body or the Swedish Energy Agency, for example.

– “We become most relevant when many different parameters work together,” asserts Svensson. “Perhaps it is an issue that concerns energy, water quality, biodiversity, and other environmental aspects. On top of this, there are surely economic considerations, and the social dimensions are also being recognised more: who is most affected by a policy instrument? We find these aspects interesting to calculate.”