Compel
A collaborative platform for the electrification of the transport sector
The Compel platform is an initiative that brings together Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology and Uppsala University. The aim is to strengthen Sweden's position in battery research and electrification of the transport sector by providing critical expertise and research results to industry. Compel stands for COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the Transport system.
The transport sector is undergoing a global transition towards fossil-free operation, where electrification plays a central role. To meet these challenges, the government has chosen to strategically invest in the Compel platform, which brings together three of Sweden's leading universities: Chalmers University of Technology, Uppsala University and Lund University, where LTH has overall responsibility. The platform was established to strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish industry and the supply of expertise in battery technology and power electronics.
The universities have been collaborating within the Compel platform 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 universities and industry to drive research and development forward.
The government has granted universities almost SEK 50 million since 2023, and annual support will continue until 2029, enabling the recruitment of researchers and teachers, as well as the expansion of master programmes focusing on electrification and battery technology.
Areas for strategic development
There are three main research focus areas for Lund University:
- 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
To ensure that research within the platform is relevant to the needs of the industry, an Industry Council has been set up. The Industry Council acts as a strategic body to help universities identify research areas that are critical to the future development of industry. The members of the council include:
- AB Volvo
- Volvo Cars Corporation
- Northvolt AB
- Scania AB
The Industry Council ensures that the Compel platform stays on track and that research efforts are in line with industry needs.
Facts | About Compel
COMPEL (COMPetitiveness for the ELectrification of the Transport System) is a collaboration between three universities: Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology, and Uppsala University. The platform aims to ensure Sweden's long-term competitiveness in battery development and electrification of the transport sector.