Blue energy, renewable power from the sea, holds great promise for meeting future energy demands. Offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy could play a key role in the global energy transition. Success will require collaboration, innovation, and bold thinking – as demonstrated by the European ELBE project, where RISE is a central partner.
Despite the fact that the oceans offer enormous amounts of renewable energy, blue energy is still severely underdeveloped. The potential is great, but the technology needs to be scaled up and integrated into the energy system. Long permitting processes, lack of coordination and insufficient investment are slowing down development. At the same time, the need for stable, renewable energy is increasing in line with the electrification of society.
ELBE – a European collaboration for blue energy
To meet these challenges, RISE participated in the European ELBE (Eurocluster of Blue Energy) project. RISE was part of three different sub-projects, the first of which started in 2018 and the last of which was completed in August 2025.
The result was a network of over 900 companies, 72 technology developers and 12 test sites. The project has also opened doors to international collaborations – from the United States to South Korea.
We wanted to bring together Europe's leading players in blue energy to accelerate the energy transition
—We wanted to bring together Europe's leading players in blue energy to accelerate the energy transition, says Nermina Saracevic, senior project leader at RISE.
A new playing field for Swedish players
Through ELBE, Swedish companies have gained access to financing, training in sustainability, digitalisation and ESG, as well as new opportunities to reach global markets. Several players have already taken the step out internationally.
One of the companies that participated in the project was NoviOcean, an innovative start-up that develops solutions in wave, wind and solar energy. Through ELBE, they have been able to establish strategic partnerships in the United States, Mexico, Japan and India – markets with great potential for their technology.
In Japan, we see opportunities to replace diesel with renewable energy on islands south of Tokyo, and in Mexico, our MediWave platform can contribute fresh water to areas with acute water shortages. This project has opened doors that we would not otherwise have reached.
— ELBE has been crucial to our international expansion. In Japan, we see opportunities to replace diesel with renewable energy on islands south of Tokyo, and in Mexico, our MediWave platform can contribute fresh water to areas with acute water shortages. This project has opened doors that we would not otherwise have reached. RISE continues to drive development, says Jan Skjoldhammer, CEO and founder of NoviOcean.
Although ELBE has come to an end, the work is far from over. RISE continues to build networks, spread knowledge and drive innovation to strengthen blue energy, both in Sweden and globally.
— For the development of offshore wind power to gain momentum, better conditions, faster permit processes and increased investment are needed, concludes Nermina Saracevic.
Would you like to help shape the energy system of the future?
RISE continues to offer support to companies and organisations that want to contribute to the development of blue energy. Through research, test beds and strategic partnerships, we are helping to drive the transition. Contact Nermina Saracevic below for more information.
About the ELBE project
RISE has been a key player in the project through the Offshore Väst innovation cluster. The following Swedish companies benefited from various types of support through ELBE: CorPower Ocean, Waves4Power, NoviOcean, Ocean Harvesting, Bassoe Technology, SeaTwirl, SeaFlex, Minesto, and CrestConsultants.
Read more about ELBE, Eurocluster of Blue Energy, here.
