Overview of the Project

Nordic Energy Informatics Academy Network (EIA Nordic)

The Nordic Energy Informatics Academy Network (EIA Nordic) is a collaborative initiative funded by Nordic Energy Research and designed to bring together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers across the Nordic region. The project spans 2024-2028, and aims to drive innovation in energy informatics by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Through a sustained network of experts, EIA Nordic organizes annual research exchanges, conferences, and summer schools, creating a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. The project’s activities are focused on promoting the green transition in energy systems, optimizing sustainable energy solutions, and addressing regional challenges related to smart energy systems, transport electrification, and energy market integration.

By building strong connections between academia, industry, and policy, EIA Nordic plays a key role in supporting the Nordic region’s leadership in sustainable energy development and advancing energy informatics as a critical field for the future.

Mission

To establish the Nordic region as a global leader in energy informatics by advancing data-driven, model-based, and cyber-physical approaches that accelerate the digital transformation of sustainable energy systems.
We enable cross-border collaboration to develop intelligent energy solutions that integrate data, algorithms, digital twins, and human-centric design, ensuring scalable, efficient, and socially equitable energy transitions across the Nordic region.

Objectives

Advance Data-Driven Energy Innovation

Promote the development and use of digital tools—AI, machine learning, data analytics, simulation, optimization, and digital twins—to tackle Nordic energy challenges and create reproducible, evidence-based solutions.

Enable Interoperable Energy Ecosystems

Facilitate collaboration on digital standards, open data frameworks, interoperability platforms, and model exchange to support multi-vector energy systems (electricity, heat, transport, PtX).

Strengthen Nordic Digital Capabilities

Build a cross-Nordic community of researchers and practitioners with expertise in energy data science, modelling, software systems, cyber-physical integration, and intelligent control.

Accelerate Informatics-Driven Green Transition

Support the design and deployment of intelligent, automated, and user-centric solutions that increase flexibility, resilience, and carbon neutrality across sectors.

Shape Global Leadership in Energy Informatics

Position the Nordic region as the leading hub for digital energy system research—driving international research agendas, innovation practices, and policy frameworks.

What is Energy Informatics?

Energy informatics is the science and engineering of digital technologies that optimize the generation, distribution, and use of energy. It integrates:

Data (sensor data, market data, human behaviour data)
Models (forecasting, simulation, optimization)
Algorithms (AI/ML, control, MPC, agent-based methods)
Digital infrastructures (IoT, cloud, cyber-physical systems)
Human and social factors (user behaviour, equity, acceptance)

EIA Nordic is dedicated to building Nordic excellence in these informatics methods and applying them to real-world energy challenges.

Relevance to the Nordic Region

The Nordic region is known for its ambitious sustainability goals, including the commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. However, achieving these goals requires coordinated efforts across sectors and countries. With its unique climate, geography, and political landscape, the region faces complex energy challenges such as balancing intermittent renewable energy sources, integrating electric vehicles, and ensuring energy equity.

Energy informatics plays a critical role in addressing these challenges by enabling smarter energy management, optimizing resource use, and promoting cross-border energy trading. EIA Nordic serves as a vital platform for stakeholders across the region to collaborate on these issues, ensuring that the Nordic countries continue to lead the way in sustainable energy innovation.