Two careers, one passion – Erik on life as an engineer and elite athlete

Erik Östling is passionate about both elite sports and energy projects and has successfully balanced a career as an energy engineer at Amokabel alongside his handball career. We had a chat with him!

Hi Erik! Great to talk to you today! How’s everything going?

- It’s going well, I’ve recharged my batteries with a break from both work and handball and I’m feeling inspired for the spring term.

What are your responsibilities, and what does a typical workday look like for you at Amokabel?

- A lot of my role involves project management of our energy projects. My main task is to complete the hydrogen facility in Älghult. Other projects include commissioning the large battery storage next to the factory, the third phase of solar panels on the roofs, fast charging for heavy vehicles + battery in Älghult, expanding our electricity subscriptions, and getting power from the hydroelectric plant at Alstermo Bruk to the factory.
There’s a lot of contact with suppliers within the different projects and ongoing dialogues with EON and Vattenfall. A few days a month, I work practically with the hydrogen in Älghult, where I compress and refuel hydrogen.

What words do you think capture the feeling at Amokabel as a workplace?

- Action-oriented and forward-thinking.

Is there something specific that motivates you or gives you an extra boost in your work?

- I am definitely passionate about the role hydrogen will play in the transition of Sweden’s and the world’s energy systems. I want to contribute to the shift of all energy usage to renewable energy sources, mainly with a focus on electrification. A lot happens through batteries, but one solution won’t be enough to transform society. Industries, heavy transport like trucks, ships, and airplanes are good examples of this. I’m passionate about contributing to hydrogen’s growth in society.

Are there any exciting projects or changes you’re particularly passionate about?

- The hydrogen production in Älghult is definitely the project I’m most passionate about. We’re among the first in Sweden to produce hydrogen, which puts us in an exciting position.

How do you tackle challenges that arise at work?

- Without challenges, life wouldn’t be fun. The most frustrating part is probably the slow processes within the electricity sector. Getting permits to both consume and produce more electricity. I try to speed up the process by pushing those who are driving the project forward, but sometimes you have to accept that certain things take time.

What makes you enjoy working at Amokabel?
- Being able to work on exciting energy projects that aren’t just planned for some future date but are happening right now. We’re making a difference NOW. Also, having the opportunity to lead the projects I’m personally passionate about.

You’re also a handball player at Amo HK – how do you balance both work and high-level sports?

- It can be challenging sometimes. But I’m privileged to have the opportunity to work part-time, which is an incredibly good combination. I get restless quickly, so for me, it’s perfect to keep myself busy with exciting things! Thanks to not working full-time, I rarely have to get up early after a long away game, which is, of course, important for recovery.
The most challenging part is that I can’t always be flexible in my work life. I can’t limit myself to working fixed hours when I’m 90% dependent on meetings and dialogues with people who have full calendars.

Do you have any routines or tricks to keep your energy and well-being at their best?

- Oh, good question! It’s a challenge to always be at the top. I get a lot for free from having so many regular handball practices. Exercise works wonders for me; all the problems that existed before feel irrelevant after a training session. Sleep and food are, of course, important components of the overall picture. But I’m humble because I know it will become harder after my handball career.

Thank you so much, Erik!
It was great to hear about your journey at Amokabel and how you balance both your career and handball. Finally, what would you say to someone considering applying for a job at Amokabel?

- If you’re drawn to short decision-making paths and the opportunity to influence your work, I definitely think you should explore the opportunities we have here!

Thanks again, Erik, and good luck with both your job and handball season!

Name: Erik Östling
Age: 30
Job title: Energy Engineer
Lives in: Växjö
Hobbies: Handball and sports in general, traveling, golf, and hydrogen!
Future dreams: I’m living my dream life now by combining professional handball with an exciting energy-focused job.