The World's Electric Power Centre Is in Sweden - Power Circle

Borderless cooperation
and global networks
Sweden has a long tradition of cooperation
among companies, universities, and governmental
authorities, both domestically and abroad. Swedes
have engaged in international trade since the
time of the Vikings. We have developed a unique
climate of cooperation. Producers, consultants,
subcontractors, and researchers in the electric
power industry cooperate in a joint effort to
find a win-win partnership, and there are strong
connections with other industries, such as
telecoms, information technology, and engineering
infrastructures, such as water, sewage, and waste
management. They are united in Power Circle. The
cluster formation creates fertile ground for spin-
offs and start-ups in the electricity area.
Power Circle is an international operation. Many of the
companies act on a global level and have affiliates and
business in other countries around the world. Their development
can be activated by researchers from many
different countries. Extensive international cooperation
unleashes an open, mutually profitable developmental
climate that attracts foreign experts and students.
Power Circle is an active force in the European
Installation of ABB products, which strengthen power grids and
ensure reliable electricity supply.
Power Research Network (EPRN) a joint European
platform for electrical power expertise.
Elforsk is another example of well-managed cooperation.
Elforsk is owned by Svensk Energi and Svenska
Kraftnät. Their goal is to improve the effectiveness of
shared research and development.
intelligent electrical systems
Electrical power systems are currently connected over
large areas, nations and continents. To control and
monitor power systems, operational management centres
were created in the infancy of electrification. Sweden
was exemplary then because of our pivotal need
to remotely control distant hydroelectric power stations
in the far north. We remain prominent in the operational
management of power systems today. Vattenfall
and ASEA/ABB were early to train engineers to handle
these problems and have maintained their leading position
internationally.
Modern industry needs effective tools to achieve
efficient operations. Power companies are expected to
provide electricity of the desired quality dependably
at the lowest cost. Intelligent systems have been introduced
into most processes and are used in the entire
chain of an electric power system. Information technology
is a key element in most production areas today
and is increasingly interlinked. Computers are usual-
Grid control centre at Svenska Kraftnät, Stockholm.