Swiss–Latvian Digital Centre launched in Riga to boost innovation in the energy sector
Opening of the Swiss–Latvian Smart Energy Digital Centre. Photo: Valdis Jansons.
On May 15, the Swiss–Latvian Smart Energy Digital Centre was officially launched in Riga as part of the international conference Deep Tech Atelier 2026. The centre has been established within the framework of the LACISE project, led by the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), under the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme Partnership in Applied Research.
H.E. Anja Zobrist Rentenaar, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Photo: Valdis Jansons.
The aim of the Centre is to strengthen long-term collaboration between research, innovation-driven companies, and industry in Latvia and Switzerland, while accelerating the development and real-world implementation of new technologies.
The opening event featured remarks by H.E. Anja Zobrist Rentenaar, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as Gints Kučinskis, LACISE project coordinator and leading researcher at ISSP UL.
Switzerland ranks among the top global research and innovation leaders. The reasons for this are multi fold, among others cultivating scientific excellence, which is impossible without international cooperation. Other important factors are the well-developed innovation ecosystems and the close collaboration between academia, businesses, and multinational companies. Networks and collaboration are priceless. Not only in Research but also for shared peace, security, and prosperity in Europe. Closely knit and well-connected communities, and this includes professional communities, are proving to be more resilient to the modern-day challenges," said H.E. Anja Zobrist Rentenaar.
During the event, project partners presented their activities: Gints Kučinskis introduced research carried out at ISSP UL on battery longevity and hydrogen production technologies, Anna Mutule from the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science presented developments in smart grids and digitalisation, while Professor Petr Korba from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) showcased AI-based solutions for power system stability analysis. An industry perspective was provided by Tomass Liepnieks, Head of Innovation Management at Sadales tīkls.
Presentations at the centre’s opening were delivered by Gints Kučinskis, Petr Korba, Anna Mutule and Tomass Liepnieks. Photo: Valdis Jansons.
“Energy is currently undergoing significant transformation – the role of renewable energy sources is increasing, and energy storage is becoming ever more important. This means we need new solutions and new forms of collaboration,” said Gints Kučinskis.
The Swiss–Latvian Digital Centre will serve as a permanent collaboration platform, connecting scientific expertise with industry needs and facilitating the transfer of research results into practical applications. Its flexible, virtual format will enable continuous cooperation between researchers, companies, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders in both countries through thematic seminars, expert discussions, and partnership initiatives, ensuring the Centre’s long-term impact beyond the duration of the project.
Guests at the opening of the Swiss–Latvian Smart Energy Digital Centre. Photo: Valdis Jansons.
Latvian scientists play an equal role in this international collaboration, emphasises ISSP UL Director Andris Anspoks:
“We work with international institutions as equal partners, not as students and teachers. Our goal is to ensure that this collaboration continues beyond the project, as modern science cannot develop in isolation – it is built on cooperation, specialisation, and mutual learning.”
Given the rapid transformation of
the energy sector, the establishment of the Centre is particularly timely. The
Digital Centre provides a practical contribution to strengthening Latvia’s
innovation capacity and energy resilience, while deepening cooperation with
Switzerland in a strategically important field.
Information about upcoming centre events is available by registering here.