The Concept of Resilience and Its Importance in the Energy Sector
The concept of resilience has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used and appears at various levels such as individual, system, societal, and organizational. Regardless of category or level, resilience consistently describes—in one way or another—the ability to withstand and manage change, recover, and continue developing.
A stable energy supply is crucial to securing society’s access to essential goods and services. A large-scale and prolonged disruption would have consequences for many vital societal functions and for total defence. Therefore, the most critical functions within the energy supply must be maintained both during peacetime crises and in times of heightened alert or war. Security and preparedness issues are central to protecting both our energy system and society at large. As global developments bring increased threats, risks, and a heightened military threat of armed conflict, continuous and long-term security efforts are becoming increasingly necessary. The energy sector’s role as critical to society’s supply is further reinforced by increased electrification and the climate transition.
Energy Preparedness in Total Defence
Energy preparedness within total defence means that a country's energy needs must be managed even during crises and war. We are dependent on a functioning energy supply, and disruptions in the energy system can have serious consequences. We must be well prepared for such disruptions and work preventively and proactively at all levels of society.
The ongoing energy transition increases the system’s complexity through more actors in the market and a higher share of variable electricity production. Strengthening the system’s resilience is therefore crucial to managing all types of disruptions, including those with low probability but high impact.
In 2024, Sweden’s electricity production amounted to 162 terawatt-hours (TWh). For comparison, 1 TWh corresponds to approximately one year of electricity consumption for around 200,000 households. In Sweden, electricity is produced from both renewable and non-renewable sources, with the majority coming from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind power, and solar power.
Resilience Is Important in Several Areas
Critical Transport
Critical transport refers to the transportation required to maintain vital societal functions even during crises or war. An increasing share of these transports, including in the critical segment, are becoming fossil-free and thus reliant on an energy supply that previously depended entirely on oil within a global value chain. Fossil-free alternatives often have shorter delivery chains or limited availability during crises, such as access to electricity during a widespread power outage.
Security in the Digitalization of Renewable Energy Systems
The energy systems of the future will consist of interconnected digital infrastructure based on renewable energy sources, where cybersecurity becomes critically important. Decentralized production introduces new threats and stresses. Today's energy systems include advanced IT systems for measurement, control, and regulation. These systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can have serious consequences for society.
More Areas Can Be Prepared for Island Operation
The energy sector can contribute to increased resilience and harness the potential of a sustainable energy system capable of withstanding stress. For example, more areas in the country can be prepared for so-called island operation, meaning that a geographical area can become self-sufficient using local energy facilities. This reduces dependence on the national system. One example is how hydrogen production linked to district heating can function, or how a microgrid for vital societal functions in an urban area can be established using a stationary battery storage system, typically used to provide support services to the power grid.
Liquid Wind’s Contribution to Resilience
Producing eFuels locally using regionally available renewable electricity, water and biogenic CO₂ strengthens energy security and reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels. This approach offers several advantages:
Storage and Transport Capability: Unlike electricity—which must be used immediately or stored in batteries with limited capacity—eFuels are chemical energy carriers that can be stored for months or years without degradation. They are thus well-suited as a strategic energy reserve. Many eFuels, such as eMethanol, eKerosene and eDiesel, are liquid, allowing them to be easily transported by ship, train, or truck—especially important during crises, power outages, or supply chain disruptions.
Local Production: eFuels can be produced domestically using renewable electricity, water and captured biogenic CO₂, for example from biorefineries or other industrial emission sources. This reduces reliance on fossil imports and shields the national energy system from geopolitical instability and global supply issues. From a European perspective, it allows member states to develop production capacity closer to consumption centres, increasing energy sovereignty and system reliability.
Crisis Preparedness: eFuels offer practical advantages for military and civil defence operations. They can be produced within national borders using local resources, creating operational independence from international oil markets. Since they are compatible with existing combustion engines, turbines, and fuel cells, current equipment can continue to be used—making them particularly suitable for rapid mobilization and logistics in crises. This flexibility supports preparedness and continuity in defence efforts, disaster relief, and emergency services.
Support for the Power Grid: eFuel production facilities can act as flexible electricity consumers in the power grid. By increasing production when there is a surplus of renewable electricity (e.g., during windy or sunny conditions) and reducing it during shortages or high demand, they help balance the grid and optimize the use of intermittent energy sources. This role in grid balancing not only supports energy security but also accelerates the integration of renewable energy sources into the energy mix. eFuels can also power the gas turbines and engines used to manage disturbances and generation outages in the electricity system.