Awarded for excellent contributions to bioeconomy

Elisabeth Wetterlund, Professor of Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, has been awarded the Jan Häckner Bioenergy Scholarship by Svebio, the Swedish Bioenergy Association. She receives the scholarship for her significant contributions to research and system analysis focusing on bioenergy and the bioeconomy.

“It is both a great pleasure and an honour to receive this scholarship for the research conducted by me and my colleagues. I am particularly pleased that research based on a broader systems perspective is being recognised,” says Elisabeth Wetterlund.

Svebio highlights that Elisabeth Wetterlund has worked with sustainable bioenergy within several research platforms and knowledge centres, such as Bio4Energy, Trees For Me in Sweden, and internationally at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. The focus has not only been on sustainability and biodiversity, but also on ensuring that bioenergy is investable and that political frameworks form a coherent whole.

“For a bioeconomy to become a reality, we need more knowledge about how technology, sustainability, markets and policy are interconnected. Only then do we truly have the opportunity to replace fossil fuels and materials with sustainable bio‑based resources,” says Elisabeth Wetterlund.

The motivation for the scholarship reads:

“Elisabeth Wetterlund, Professor at Luleå University of Technology, is awarded the Jan Häckner Bioenergy Scholarship for her significant contributions to research and system analysis in bioenergy and the bioeconomy.

Elisabeth Wetterlund is nationally and internationally recognised for her research on the role of bioenergy in the energy transition, particularly through advanced modelling and analysis of bioenergy systems, biorefineries and industrial energy systems. Her work focuses on how bioenergy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen resource efficiency and create synergies between energy, industrial and climate systems. By combining technical analysis with a systems perspective, Elisabeth Wetterlund has contributed to developing decision‑making support for both industry and political decision‑makers. Her research has, among other things, highlighted how bioenergy can interact with electrification, hydrogen production and carbon capture to create robust and climate‑neutral energy systems. This work is of great importance for the long‑term development of a sustainable energy system in Sweden and internationally.

Elisabeth Wetterlund’s research is characterised by high scientific quality, clear societal relevance and a strong commitment to contributing to solutions to climate and energy challenges. Her work aligns well with the spirit of knowledge development and practical significance that the Jan Häckner Bioenergy Scholarship aims to recognise.”

The Jan Häckner Bioenergy Scholarship amounts to SEK 10,000 and was presented by Cecilia Häckner in connection with Svebio’s annual meeting on 16 April in Stockholm.