Bo Normark is awarded IVA’s Gold Medal for his groundbreaking efforts in smart grids and battery systems. His work has had a central impact on the development of energy storage and electrification in Sweden and Europe. He has been, and continues to be, a driving force in inspiring both Swedish and international advancements in electric power and electrification.

Bo Normark is a civil engineer who has made electrification his trademark. For over 50 years, he has worked to develop the technical and political solutions required to build the sustainable energy system of the future. His efforts in smart grids and energy storage have been key to maximizing the potential of wind power, solar power, and other renewable energy sources. Often described as a nestor in Swedish and European power engineering, Bo Normark has been a visionary who early on predicted and worked towards a fossil-free society.

 

During his long career, he has driven research, innovation, and policy decisions in smart grids and energy storage, which are prerequisites for the large-scale expansion of renewable energy production. Notably, Bo Normark has played a key role in the development of HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) technology, which has opened up new opportunities to feed power from large offshore wind farms. His efforts have also contributed to Europe closing in on the US and China in terms of investment and development in sustainable battery production.

In his role at InnoEnergy, Bo Normark became indeed a prominent figure in the creation of the European Battery Alliance. This initiative aims to establish a European industry for the sustainable production of batteries and position Europe as a global player in battery production. In a remarkably short time, the initiative has built a vast ecosystem with over 800 stakeholders from industry, academia, interest organizations, and politics at both national and European levels. Bo Normark is widely recognized throughout Europe’s battery value chain as a visionary and competent industrialist with profound market insight. His strategic efforts have transformed Europe into a major hub for investments in the battery sector.

The IVA Gold Medal is one of Sweden’s highest honours in the engineering and technology sectors, celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of society through their work. Bo Normark’s nomination for the IVA Gold Medal is a testament to his visionary approach and relentless advocacy for energy storage and electrification as the next steps in the evolution of the energy system. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued contributions to the field.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, founded in 1919, is the world’s oldest academy of engineering sciences. It aims to promote the engineering and economic sciences and the development of industry for the benefit of society. The Gold Medal is awarded annually since 1921 to individuals who exemplify the Academy’s mission through their exceptional achievements and leadership.

For more information about the IVA Gold Medals and past recipients, please visit The Academy’s Gold Medals.