20 April 2026

Energy Efficiency Movement Day at CERN highlighting Swedish expertise

In the beginning of April, CERN, in partnership with ABB and the Energy Efficiency Movement, opened its doors for a unique event exploring how cutting-edge R&D can translate into real-world energy efficiency gains. Attendees heard about the joint CERN–ABB collaboration that identified a 17.4 per cent energy-saving potential across 800 cooling and ventilation motors.

The CERN–ABB collaboration shows how innovation developed in demanding research environments can create value far beyond the laboratory. It also shows how partnerships between Big Science facilities and industry can inspire more sustainable solutions on a global scale.

The event brought together a diverse group of professionals from energy, sustainability, engineering, operations, data centres, and beyond, fostering valuable cross-sector exchange. Guided tours and discussions highlighted how large-scale facilities can achieve measurable efficiency gains, particularly in cooling systems.

Strategies to optimise cooling-intensive systems, including data centres, were explored. Here is a photo from CERN during the guided tour.

“It was truly inspiring to take part on site at CERN and witness the collaboration, engineering excellence and forward-thinking spirit,” said Frida Tibblin Citron.

Representing Big Science Sweden at the event were Frida Tibblin Citron, Amelie Hallin and Mattias Vesterlund.

Energy Efficiency Movement

The Energy Efficiency Movement is a global network helping industry accelerate energy efficiency. It brings together more than 600 companies and organisations across sectors to share proven technologies, practical implementation strategies and lessons learned from real projects.

Co-founded with support from ABB and Alfa Laval, the organisation is now an independent association working alongside the International Energy Agency.