Concept Manager Peter paves the way for sustainable industrial solutions

29th January 2025
Articles General

As a concept engineer at Adven, no two days are the same. In his role as a Concept Manager, Peter Degerström helps industries design tailored energy solutions that are both sustainable and profitable.

“It is a varied role where I combine technical procurement, supplier relations, and commercial risk assessment to build a concept we truly believe in,” Peter Degerström explains.

Peter’s interest in environmental issues began early, but it was the documentary An Inconvenient Truth that truly left a deep impression. “That film stuck with me,” he recalls, “It made me feel that we need to take action.” This conviction stayed with him over the years and was one of the reasons he decided to study sustainable energy technology at Luleå University of Technology.

After graduating with a Master´s degree in 2015, Peter took his first steps into the professional world as a consultant in Stockholm. There, he quickly became familiar with the complexities of various energy and process technology solutions. While the consulting role provided broad experience, Peter also found it limiting in certain ways.

“I carried out energy audits for companies and made recommendations, but often, nothing more happened,” he explains.

This left him wanting to seek a role where his work could lead to real change.

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The right job at the right time

When a recruiter from Adven reached out, Peter was intrigued, but it took a year before he decided to move forward. Adven’s business model—offering tailored energy and water solutions for large industries and taking full responsibility from concept to operation—felt like the perfect fit.

“I saw an opportunity to truly make a difference. Here, it is not just about proposing solutions but also standing by them long-term,” Peter says.

Today, Peter works as a Concept Manager and plays a key role in creating sustainable and profitable solutions for industrial clients. His work revolves around understanding client needs—whether it is inefficient energy systems or emissions challenges—and translating them into concrete solutions that save money and reduce environmental impact.

“It is a bit like solving a mystery,” Peter says with a laugh. “Understanding the client’s needs and finding a solution that works for them is very rewarding.”

From sustainability to profitability

While each project is unique, there are some common steps in developing concepts for industrial clients. When a client expresses interest in Adven’s business model, Peter and his team start by gathering data and analyzing the client’s industrial process. From there, they develop a tailored concept that meets both technical and commercial requirements. This includes determining total investment costs and estimating future operational and maintenance expenses. For Peter, this work is a way to turn sustainability into something concrete and achievable.

“It is a lot of puzzle-solving to align sustainability with profitability, but when we succeed, it is a fantastic feeling,” he says.

A focus on business

Peter describes his role as the perfect balance between technology and business.

“Early in my career, I was primarily focused on the technical side, but over time, I have become more interested in business and people,” he says. “It is about seeing the bigger picture, thinking creatively, and understanding which solutions will work commercially.”

 

The variety in the work at Adven keeps Peter motivated. He also values the strong collaboration within the concept team, even with colleagues being based in different countries.

“We have great managers, a supportive team culture, and a real willingness to help each other. That makes me really enjoy working with the people here,” he says.

Finding the right role for you

Adven is a company focused on growth, which has expanded significantly over recent years. This gives employees the freedom to take initiative and find new ways to drive progress.

“If you thrive in a role where you can make an impact, you will enjoy working at Adven. In the sweet spot between a large corporation and a startup—that is where you find Adven,” Peter says with a smile.

If you, like Peter, are driven by sustainability and accelerating the energy transition, make sure to explore the opportunities in Adven’s industrial energy solutions team!

Adven's team watching the sunset after a conference day in Stockholm.