Näst Energy Lab Goes Live – Industry Gathers to Test the Energy Systems of Tomorrow
On 18 November, industry leaders, energy companies and researchers will gather at Näst Innovation Destination Torslanda, Vectura’s place destination for industrial development and innovation. The aim is to jointly identify concrete collaborations and test activities within energy and power management—thereby inaugurating Näst Energy Lab, a new arena where buildings, vehicles and energy grids interact in practice.
From Idea to Testable Reality
The initiative is led by the property development company Vectura Fastigheter, which seeks to create new opportunities for industry to rapidly test and scale sustainable energy solutions. Participants during the day include Volvo Cars Energy Solutions, Buddy Energy, Broods and Industrikraft, together with ChargeNode, Polarium, Volvo Group Energy, RISE, Chalmers, Varberg Energi and Göteborg Energi.
The workshop applies a methodology focused on rapid progress and co-creation between companies with different roles in the energy system.
“We want to show that the energy solutions of the future are no longer just visions but something that can be built and tested here and now. Näst Energy Lab is where industry meets to make that possible,” says Viktor Bakker, Director of Industry Ecosystem at Vectura Fastigheter.
Unique Interaction Between Buildings, Cars and the Grid
On site is also Vectura’s and Volvo Cars’ V2G pilot—a project where connected electric vehicles act as active energy resources in a local microgrid. Within Näst Energy Lab, the technology will be further developed to create a scalable model for how future districts can balance the electricity grid through interaction between properties and electric vehicles.
“Our ambition is for Näst Energy Lab to become Sweden’s reference point for practical load balancing and energy communities. This is where technology, business and societal benefit meet in real operation,” says Viktor Bakker.
About Näst Energy Lab
Näst Energy Lab is a testbed and collaboration platform for future energy solutions, where companies, researchers and energy utilities develop and trial models for load balancing, V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and local energy communities. The lab is operated by Steptura and Vectura in collaboration with Volvo Cars and Buddy Energy and is now rapidly welcoming additional partners.
