How Does Electricity Flexibility Work?
It’s about when, not how much
Electricity flexibility means that an industry can shift, smooth out, or temporarily adjust its electricity use according to the situation in the grid—without compromising production.
This requires three things: knowing what is happening in the factory, being able to predict what happens next, and being able to act on it automatically.
From measurement data to shifted load
What flexibility is, where in the factory it can be found, what technology is required—and what it delivers.
Flexibility means being able to choose when
An electricity-flexible industry adjusts its electricity use according to conditions in the grid: shifting an energy-intensive process to another hour, smoothing out a peak, or temporarily reducing consumption when the grid is under strain. Production remains the same—distributed differently throughout the day.
What this looks like in a real factory
In Vårgårda, an industrial cluster shares measurement data with one another in order to smooth out each other’s peaks, and is investigating the conditions for sharing energy between the companies. At ESAB, large-scale welding is being turned into a controllable resource, where connected welding cells are managed based on the capacity available in the grid.
The flexibility lies in processes you already have
It rarely requires new production. It can be found in electric boilers, arc furnaces, welding equipment, ventilation, vehicle charging—and in processes that could just as easily run earlier or later. The first step is to find out where in the factory the load actually goes.
Four layers build on one another.
Measurement shows where the load actually goes. Forecasts predict future needs, both in the factory and in the grid. Control systems act automatically based on the situation in the grid. Data sharing enables industry, grid owners, and energy companies to see the same picture and act in a coordinated manner.
An investment, not a sacrifice
Lower energy costs by avoiding the most expensive hours. Freed-up capacity that makes it possible to grow without waiting for a new grid connection. Reduced power peaks that lower the cost of the subscription. And, in the longer term, compensation for the flexibility offered to the grid.
What helps the factory helps the entire grid
When many industries are able to shift their consumption, existing grid capacity is used more efficiently, freeing up space for others waiting in line. This makes it possible to connect more renewable production, reduce emissions, and strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish industry.
Eight sites where it is being tested for real
The solutions above are being developed and verified in eight industrial demonstrations across Sweden—in real production environments, at real companies.