Skip to main content

KTH lecturer to become the EU’s expert for the electricity network

Published Feb 11, 2010

When the EU commission needed an expert on smart electricity networks, also called smart grids, Lars Nordström, university lecturer at KTH was the man chosen for the job. The reason for the EU commission’s great interest in Lars Nordström was due to a tip received from the organisation Svensk Elstandard and in particular due to his great expertise in the area.

Lars Nordström
Lars Nordström is a university lecturer and head of EKC2 – Elkraftcentrum at KTH.

“I will be part of a working group of experts that, among other things, will take into consideration the needs of the man in the street as regards smart electricity networks which are now beginning to be released on a full scale basis. A typical question will be how the costs will be distributed in relation to the benefits the new networks will provide. It is possible that this could be interpreted as the apartment owners having to pay for the electricity companies’ development eagerness, says Lars Nordström.

The work group consists of Lars Nordström as well as experts from technology and service suppliers, the regulatory authorities, electricity companies and consumer groups. To be more exact, Lars will be working with questions that concern legislation, regulations and technology, but he will also work with issues that concern safety and integrity.

Why did the EU commission choose you as their expert?

“I know how IT control systems for electricity networks work, and how they must be built in order for them to function. What the weaknesses and the risks are, in particular regarding personal integrity,” says Lars Nordström.

There are several reasons for this increased interest from the EU for smart electricity networks, he says.

“Smart electricity networks form a part of the solution as regards the climate problem. They are a pre-requisite for an expansion of wind power, which does not behave in the same way as coal-fired power stations. At consumer level, this is a necessary pre-requisite to make it possible for private individuals for example to use electric vehicles to a greater extent than today, says Lars Nordström.

For more information, contact Lars Nordström at 08 - 790 68 30 or lars.nordstrom@ics.kth.se.

Peter Larsson

Page responsible:redaktion@kth.se
Belongs to: About KTH
Last changed: Feb 11, 2010