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Smart energy systems

Dalarna is a globally recognized center for smart energy systems, enabling electrification and power infrastructure development at industrial scale. The region hosts world-leading technology companies, accredited test environments and deep system expertise, offering low-risk conditions for long-term energy investments. With more than a century of specialization in electric power and high-voltage transmission — especially in the municipalities of Ludvika and Smedjebacken — the region continues to attract talent, businesses and global industry players.

Social Proof & Scale

Industry leaders such as Hitachi Energy, NKT and CTEK form the core of Dalarna’s energy ecosystem.

Hitachi Energy has operated in Ludvika since 1900 and is currently expanding its HVDC hub with new facilities, production lines, increased capacitor capacity, and a large logistics center. This expansion further strengthens the city's role in clean energy technology.

NKT, rooted in Falun since 1888, produces installation, medium and high-voltage cables and accessories, supported by modern development and testing facilities for global energy markets.

CTEK, located in Falun and founded in 1997, is a world leader in smart battery management, selling over one million chargers annually in 70 countries.

The region also hosts STRI, an independent and accredited high-voltage test laboratory in Ludvika serving manufacturers worldwide.

Innovation Capabilities

Innovation is driven by strong collaboration between academia, industry and public stakeholders. The Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC) at Dalarna University builds on more than 40 years of energy research and integrates disciplines such as energy and built environment, data science, engineering, solar energy, economics and social sciences.

Public innovation actors strengthen this environment:

  • High Voltage Valley in Ludvika — a neutral platform connecting companies, universities and public partners to secure the region’s global leadership in electrical power technology.
  • GRÄNSenergi, run by Dalarna Science Park — a Swedish-Norwegian initiative exploring new energy technologies, local energy communities and scalable business models.

With world-leading companies, accredited testbeds and a deeply rooted engineering heritage, Dalarna enables smart energy solutions to move efficiently from research and development to international deployment. This is where secure, sustainable and competitive energy systems for the future are being built.