Our Research Areas

At the Division of Electricity, we study many different aspects of electricity: how renewable energy sources such as wind, waves and marine currents can be converted into useful electricity, electricity distribution and systems for energy storage, diamond electronics, plasma technology and lightning research. In addition to the scientific and experimental resources, the division also has a close collaboration with the industry and with other research groups around the world.

Wave power Ocean waves provide a renewable energy source with high potential to contribute to the global electricity production with minimal environmental impact. Our research group is one of the largest worldwide and has developed and deployed full-scale wave energy converters since 2002. Wave power research
Wind power Wind energy is both free of charge and renewable, it has no polluting discharges and is therefore a good complement to regulated energy sources such as hydropower. At Uppsala University, we focus on vertical axis wind turbines. Wind power research
Marine currents Marine currents in rivers, straights and the oceans constitute a renewable energy source with good potential. At Uppsala University, research is primarily focused on the generators of marine current energy converters. The goal is to have a power plants that generate electricity with high efficiency at slow water movement. Research on marine currents
Hydropower Hydropower is a renewable energy source and represents a large part of the Swedish electricity production. However, the majority of the hydropower generators in Sweden are 30-60 years old and not designed for deregulated electricity markets with a large penetration of renewable energy sources. The research at Uppsala University is focused on understanding and improving the these generators. Hydropower research
Diamond electronics Diamond is a semiconductor with extreme properties, such as high breakdown field and high saturation velocity. Diamond electronic devices, such as power diodes and high-frequency field effect transistors, could in principle deliver outstanding performance due to diamond’s excellent intrinsic properties. Research on Diamond electronics
Plasma Plasma science deals with applications of gas discharge plasma to processes and devices, ranging from surface plasma treatment to solution of environmental pollution problems. Within theoretical plasma physics we also study plasma science with applications to fusion energy and material science. Research on Plasma
Lightning research Many tens of thousands of lightning strikes occur in Sweden every year. The lightning research group study the mechanisms of lightning and its interaction with people, electrical equipments and the atmosphere, and provide guidelines for effective lightning protection systems. Lightning research
Electric energy storage Electric energy storage and control systems are needed to stabilize electric grids with a large proportion of renewable energy sources. Modern flywheels provide a method for storing electric energy in applications where long time storage is not needed, such as buffering energy in electric cars. Research on electric energy storage
Robot automation Automation of different industrial processes have a big impact on precision, cost effectiveness and competiveness. In particular, the automotive industry has been implementing robots successfully, but the use of robotics is increasing also in other areas, and the potential for further improvements is large. In our research, we focus on using industrial robots within large-scale production of large electrical machines. Research on Robot automation
Clean water Water scarcity is an urgent global problem, affecting billions of people. We are investigating the possibility to power a desalination process with renewable energy sources, such as wave power, to produce freshwater. Research on Clean water
All-Electric Propulsion Systems  All-electric vehicles like cars, trains, boats and aircraft, are increasing in popularity. The focus of our research lies on power electronics and electrical converters, as well as control strategies for the electric driveline. In addition, we cover aspects such as the development of charging infrastructure and kinetic energy storage (rotating mass) as a power storage. Research on All-Electric Propulsion Systems
Power system analysis  Research and development in power system issues will be an important part of the ongoing energy transition. Our power system is facing a series of changes and its function will play a key role in creating a sustainable society. The division of Electricity works with a number of different research projects that in many cases take place in close collaboration with industry, society and other actors. Our ambition is to educate doctoral students who can contribute with cutting-edge competence in a defined area and at the same time have good overall electrical system knowledge. Research on Power system analysis
OCEAN ENERGY SCALE-UP ALLIANCE (OESA) The Ocean Energy Scale-up Alliance (OESA) is an acceleration project aimed at developing and distributing large-scale marine energy pilots. The transnational partnership led by the Dutch Marine Energy Center combines expertise from 6 European countries around the North Sea. Research on OESA.
Computational and data-enabled science and engineering in energy systems Our research provides solutions by the development, implementation, testing, and application of algorithms and software used to solve large-scale scientific and engineering problems of energy industry from power plants, power systems, atmospheres, oceans, vehicles to others. We extensively employ data assimilation and data driven methods to achieve better solutions. The aim is to provide for innovative products in energy industry. We are primarily interested in developing knowledge and tools for energy industry and applying those tools for the solution of problems in a variety of applications. Research on Computational and data-enabled science and engineering in energy systems.
Charging infrastructure for electric aviation We investigate how electric aircrafts can be charged in the future at Swedish airports. Other electric vehicles may also need to be charged there. The goal is to create an overview of how the airports can be developed to meet a future increased need of electricity. Research on charging infrastructure for electric aviation