Despite the difference in size, both India and Sweden share many challenges in our respective energy transitions and have a lot to learn from each other. This is reflected by the collaboration on new and renewable energy between our countries.

India’s key role in the establishment and implementation of the International Solar Alliance, launched at COP 21 in Paris by Prime Minister Modi, is inspiring to many around the world. Reaching the milestone of 5500MW of solar installed capacity India is proof of the ambitions to move fast forward toward.  Sweden has a long history in electrification of the energy sector. Electricity was introduced already in 1893, the first electric train in 1915 and an east west transmission grid in 1922. The technological development has continued. Smart transmission grids based of HVDC and FACTS was introduced in the early 1950: ies, areas where Swedish industry today is in a world leading position. All Swedish households and industries are connected to the national electricity grid. This in combination with fossil free electricity production has resulted in the lowest CO2 emission per capita in OECD. These shared ambitions and experiences is in line with our shared goals to achieve an ecologically, cost efficient and secure supply of energy.

Sweden and the Swedish Energy Agency has launched the India-Sweden Innovations’ Accelerator program with the objective to support and promote business relations by matching energy-related innovations and entrepreneurs. The collaboration also includes a Research and Innovation Programme on Smart Grids. Expert teams lead by STRI – High Voltage Testing and Consulting, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and Maksus group of Entrepreneurs are engaged with a mission to define and establish micro-grid pilots. Initially this is to meet the priorities to reduce the dependency for diesel at the Andaman Islands, set by the Government of India, but will also be of relevance for scaling up new solutions on main-land India.

This session will be moderated by Ludvig Lindström, Senior adviser international affairs

Speakers participating in the seminar are:

Bengt Gudmundsson, Head of Technology, Siemens Power and Gas Distributed Generation

Bo Normark, Chairman of International Smart Grid Action Networks (ISGAN)
And 6 Power T&D Systems

Edward Jobson, Environmental Director, Volvo Bus Corporation

Fredrik Johansson, CEO FOV Fabrics, Programme manager Maksus Team

Jonas Tjäder, Head of research at STRIs Smart Grid Demonstrator

Neeraj Memon, Partner at Trilegal

Reji Kumar Pillai, President of India Smart Grid Forum

Sten Stenbeck, Programme manager at the SP Technical Research Institute of
Sweden