US and Sweden to partner on emerging energy research

The Department of Energy has entered into a new partnership with the government of Sweden to advance fundamental research in fields like energy physics and fusion technology, the agency announced Tuesday.

This partnership — one of the many scientific ventures the U.S. has entered into with EU ally nations — will emphasize studies that facilitate more energy research, predominantly focusing on scientific computing, high energy physics, nuclear physics, fusion, basic energy sciences and biological and environmental research.

“Collaborations are key for advancing the frontiers of science. The Department of Energy’s Office of Science looks forward to working more closely with our Swedish colleagues to leverage our respective expertise and resources,” said Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, the director of Energy’s Office of Science. 

Fusion research, one of the intended subject areas for the partnership, made headlines following a major scientific breakthrough that saw the generation of energy via fusion ignition at a U.S. national laboratory in early 2023. 

With potential to act as a source of clean energy, fusion energy skyrocketed to the top of the Biden administration’s priorities in terms of developing emerging technologies and sciences.

“For the Swedish Government, it is very important to tackle the societal challenges that we face with innovative and efficient solutions. In the energy field, we need to collaborate with the best to identify and develop ways to solve the growing need for clean and green energy production,” said Swedish Minister for Education Mats Persson. “Therefore, I am very happy that Sweden is now strengthening its cooperation with the U.S. in energy research.”

This partnership builds off of an earlier agreement between the U.S. and Sweden signed in 2006.