Symposium at KTH advancing heat and power solutions for industrial decarbonisation
There are largely available technologies that could contribute to industrial decarbonisation – lacking is the knowledge and trust in these solutions among different stakeholders. A symposium on heat and power technologies for industrial decarbonisation, organised by KTH Energy Department, aims to address this and to strengthen and create new collaborations among the 200 participants from across KTH, Sweden, the EU and beyond.
Rafael Guedez Mata and Silvia Trevisan , both from the Division of Heat and Power at KTH, are the organisers of the Symposium on Heat and Power Technologies for Industrial Decarbonisation, held at KTH on April 2. They both make clear the need to unite the energy sector in developing effective and sustainable solutions.
“I think we are at a very critical moment in our decarbonisation effort, where quick, effective, and relevant actions are needed to drive a much-needed, drastic reduction in fossil fuel consumption and emissions in the industrial sector,” says Silvia.
Despite the availability of several technologies that are largely ready for adaptation, she notes that awareness remains limited, and trust in these solutions is still lacking. Communication challenges further complicate the transition.
To bridge this gap, the symposium will bring together industrial end users, energy utilities and developers, technology providers, financial institutions, R&D and academia — key players across the value chain. By exchanging perspectives and addressing existing challenges, the event aims to spark new collaborations that consider both the complexities and opportunities of industrial decarbonisation.
Industrial needs and energy independency
“Organising this event now makes perfect sense,” says Rafael. “KTH Energy Technology is at the global forefront of R&D in this field, and there is momentum both at the EU level and nationally—driven, for instance, by the recently launched EU Clean Industrial Deal, the urge for energy independence, and growing social awareness about climate issues.”
Rafael also emphasises that industrial decarbonisation is a global challenge, requiring equally global approaches to ensure the best use of resources.
“In the EU, we need cleantech that enables us to become energy independent. At the same time, this transition presents a significant opportunity to re-launch our manufacturing industry and strengthen the European economy. This is particularly relevant for Sweden, with vast access to renewable energies and raw materials our industry is well-positioned to both off-take new solutions for decarbonisation, as well as to advance and manufacture new heat and power technologies with great export potential,” he says.
According to Silvia, the opportunity lies in acting quickly to unlock the potential of existing technologies, matching them to the challenges faced by industrial end users.
“I think we need to identify the most pressing issues from the end user's perspective and generalise them so that solutions can be applied across large portions of the sector. Financial gaps must also be addressed to prioritise investment in long-term decarbonisation,” says Silvia.
Research at KTH as driving force
KTH and the Division of Heat and Power play an important part in this development, supporting R&D and technological ”de-risking” by developing inhouse technologies and supporting partners, through collaborative projects and research activities.
“Our expertise is crucial in supporting the industry’s growing demand for technology development. This has led to more ongoing projects, expanded collaborations, and a stronger network. We have also pursued a sound and ambitious strategy, leveraging the momentum in the EU regarding energy independence and climate change,” says Rafael
The event features contributors from across KTH, with Professor Stefan Östlund, KTH’s Vice President for Internationalisation, delivering the keynote speech at the welcoming session.
For additional information, please visit the event webpage here .
Text: Alexandra von Kern