Compel
For the electrification of the transport sector
By promoting research and educating future engineers, the Compel collaboration platform aims to strengthen Sweden's long-term competitiveness in battery development and the electrification of the transport sector. The initiative currently brings together Uppsala University, Chalmers University of Technology and Lund University.
The transport sector is undergoing a global transition towards fossil-free operation, in which electrification plays a central role.
To meet this challenge – and to strengthen Swedish industry's competitiveness and secure the supply of expertise in battery technology and power electronics – the government of Sweden has chosen to strategically invest in Compel, a platform that currently brings together three of Sweden's leading universities: Chalmers University of Technology, Uppsala University and Lund University. At Lund University, LTH has overall responsibility.
The universities have been collaborating within Compel since 2022 to meet industry's needs for research and education in battery technology and electrification. The initiative is based on a strong partnership between the universities and industry to drive research and development forward.
Since 2023, the government has granted the universities almost SEK 50 million, and annual support will continue until 2029. This enables the recruitment of researchers and teachers, as well as an expansion of civil engineering programmes focusing on electrification and battery technology.
Areas for strategic development
Three research areas are strategically important for Lund University in this context:
- Materials research relevant to battery technology and power electronics
- Integration of batteries with power electronics in the grid and in vehicles
- Safety of energy storage in batteries and hydrogen
Industry Council
Compel's Industry Council acts as a strategic body that helps universities identify research areas that are critical to the future development of industry. The members of the council include:
- AB Volvo
- Volvo Cars Corporation
- Scania AB
About Compel
Compel (Competence and excellence in battery research and education for the transport sector) is a collaboration between Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology and Uppsala University.
The platform aims to strengthen Sweden's long-term competitiveness in battery development and electrification of the transport sector by advancing research and educating future engineers with a focus on sustainable electrification.
To ensure a strong link to industry needs, Compel collaborates with leading players through an industry council.
