Three keynote speakers explore the future of energy at STandUP Academy 2026

Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digitalisation and autonomous systems are reshaping the energy sector. At STandUP Academy 2026, three keynote speakers will approach these developments from different perspectives, exploring both the opportunities they create and the new demands they place on future energy systems.

STandUP Academy, the annual conference of STandUP for Energy, brings together researchers and other actors from across the energy field. This year’s keynote programme reflects some of the rapid technological changes currently affecting the sector, from increasingly connected critical infrastructure to the growing use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

Cybersecurity in increasingly connected energy systems

As energy systems become more connected, data-driven and AI-enabled, cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important part of building robust and resilient infrastructure.

Erik Johansson is a cybersecurity advisor specialising in industrial control systems, OT security and critical infrastructure. With more than 25 years of experience, he supports organisations in the energy and infrastructure sectors in managing cyber risk, strengthening governance and building robust critical systems.

At STandUP Academy, he will explore the security tension emerging as energy systems become increasingly connected and complex. His keynote will address how growing speed, complexity and interdependencies are reshaping systemic risk and the requirements for robust energy systems.

AI and digitalisation in the future energy system

New digital technologies also offer opportunities to make energy systems more flexible, robust and sustainable.

Peter Engdahl, Deputy Director General at the Swedish Energy Agency and Head of the Department for Research, Innovation and Business Development, will give the keynote AI and digitalisation in the future energy system.

His talk will focus on how AI, digitalisation and other new technologies can support the transition towards a more robust, flexible and sustainable energy system.

AI and autonomous systems for energy

A third perspective comes from Thomas B. Schön, Beijer Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Information Technology at Uppsala University.

His research focuses on developing algorithms and mathematical models that can learn and act based on data, with machine learning at its core. His work spans both fundamental and applied research and is often conducted in collaboration with industry and researchers from other fields.

At STandUP Academy, Schön will give the keynote AI and autonomous systems for energy, bringing his expertise in machine learning and data-driven systems to the discussion about the future of energy.

Together, the three keynote talks highlight different aspects of a common development: as energy systems become increasingly digital, intelligent and interconnected, new technological opportunities emerge alongside new requirements for security, resilience and robustness.

STandUP Academy 2026 takes place on 29–30 September in Stockholm.