Tomorrow Show 2025: AI and Collaboration at the Core
Preben Strøm onstage at Tomorrow Show 2025
On Thursday, September 25, Tomorrow Show 2025 brought together leading figures in digitalization, energy, and technology at The Hub. The conference focused on how artificial intelligence, data, and cross-industry collaboration are driving new business models, transforming work processes, and influencing geopolitics and security.
Energy Valley’s CCO, Preben Strøm, gave a presentation on behalf of the cluster, delivering a clear message about the importance of collaboration across value chains. He emphasized the need to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through skills development and partnerships, enabling them to play an active role in the digital and green transition. His presentation was well received and positioned Energy Valley as a key voice in the discussion on how Norwegian players can become part of a global digital ecosystem.
Knut Linnerud, Energy Valley’s EU advisor and project manager for the AI Energy Cluster, was also in attendance and took the opportunity to follow the presentations on stage and network with key representatives from business, technology, and research communities.
AI Energy Cluster: Energy Valley’s AI Initiative
Alongside participation in the conference, Energy Valley is actively working to further develop the AI Energy Cluster—an initiative that brings together energy companies, tech firms, R&D actors, and SMEs in a joint effort to integrate artificial intelligence into the energy system.
The goals:
Create a structured collaboration platform for AI in the energy sector
Build expertise and practical case studies through webinars, workshops, and professional gatherings
Identify concrete project opportunities and connect them to national and international funding schemes
Position Norwegian players in larger European initiatives, such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe
Currently, we are working with our partners to chart the path forward, with a clear ambition to strengthen collaboration and build an AI and energy ecosystem that delivers tangible results and new opportunities for our members.
The road ahead
Tomorrow Show 2025 clearly demonstrated that AI, data, and digitalization are no longer add-ons—they are the foundation for future value creation, security, and competitiveness. For Energy Valley, this is a strong confirmation that we are on the right track with the AI Energy Cluster—and that collaboration between major players, SMEs, and research communities is the key to unlocking its potential.
Want to get involved?
If you’re interested in joining Energy Valley’s AI Energy Cluster or want more information, reach out to Knut Linnerud (email) or (mobile: +47 922 25 432).
Join us in nominating Bærum’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2025!
Award ceremony from Årets Gründer 2024
Nominate your candidate for Bærum’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and help shine a spotlight on those building the business landscape of tomorrow.
Energy Valley is part of the jury for “Årets gründer i Bærum 2025” (Entrepreneur of the Year 2025) for Bærum Næringsråd and we’d like your input. Do you have any candidates in mind for nomination?
The prize, which will be presented on 20 November, is awarded to companies that stand out for their innovation, drive, and commitment to sustainability. It honours entrepreneurs who have established themselves in Bærum within the past five years. Entrepreneurs are hardworking and courageous individuals with a product or idea they believe in—contributing to innovation and value creation.
If you know someone who deserves to be celebrated, we’d love to hear from you as soon as possible. Please send all nominations to Vibeke Østlyngenno later than 27 October (so we have time to pass those nominations on!)
To learn more about the criteria, take a look at the article (in Norwegian) on Bærum Næringsråd’s website.
The event was focused on “Hydrogen: From ambition to reality” and was aimed at expanding professional networks within the hydrogen space as well as building on NEW members’ understanding of the green hydrogen opportunities and challenges, technology, and value chain.
CEO Vibeke Østlyngen was in attendance and had this to say about it:
It was a powerful afternoon at Worley Rosenberg last week when 80+ women gathered to discuss the green hydrogen opportunities and challenges, technology and value chain.
Main takeaways:
We need common policies and regulations to standardise
The European hydrogen market is growing — slowly but steadily
Cost must come down, and it must be more expensive to pollute – CO2 pricing will be a gamechanger
Special thanks to Oriana Duran and Worley Rosenberg for hosting the event and to the NEW initiative for organizing, together with Women in Green Hydrogen.
➡️ The New Energy Women (NEW) initiative is a cooperation between ABB and some of the energy clusters in Norway: H2Cluster, Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster, Energy Valley, and Fornybar Norge.
Additional takeaways
H2Cluster also took part in the event and had these key points:
🔺 Trust among stakeholders is critical to mature projects.
🔺 Concerns around the slow pace of project development in Europe.
🔺 Global momentum is strong: Brazil, Australia, North Africa, China, and the Middle East are moving fast.
🔺 Chinese electrolyzer OEMs offering CAPEX benefits that may outweigh European subsidies.
Want to get involved?
Stay tuned for the next New Energy Women gathering coming up as we will visit Rystad Energy in Oslo.
Recap in pictures
Did you miss the event? Here are a few of our favourite pictures from the event:
Event participants ahead of the two panel discussions
Together with Capgemini, Energy Valley was proud to host an event focused on the electricity crisis and its impact on industry at this year’s Arendalsuka.
The problem: Norway’s electricity grid doesn’t have the capacity to meet the demand from new industries, electrification, and the green transition. This is resulting in delayed investments, high prices, and — in the worst cases — power outages.
Multiple reports (including Riksrevisjonen’s “Kapasiteten i strømnettet“) have confirmed: we need more capacity, a better grid, and smarter solutions. But how do we get there?
The hour-long event was split into two panels and took a look at the situation surrounding Norway’s power system, tackling topics such as:
What the authorities are doing to ensure sufficient grid capacity
Whether digital control, local production, and battery technology can give industry greater flexibility
Whether small, modular reactors are part of the solution… or merely a distraction
How software, data, and AI can be used to optimize energy usage
During the lively event, participants delved into what was more than just a debate. It was a conversation about the future of Norwegian industry, technology, and green growth.
Key takeaways
Energy Valley’s Knut Linnerud wrapped up the event with a summary of some of the key points made:
Firstly, the session clearly demonstrated that the challenges in the power system are significant… but they are NOT insurmountable and the solutions are already well known.
Yara emphasized that expanding the grid is absolutely crucial for continued industrial development.
At the same time, Morrow highlighted how battery technology can contribute to power balance and flexibility within the system.
A key starting point for Norway is that we already possess a form of “battery capacity” through our water reservoirs, which is equivalent to millions of car batteries. This gives us a unique opportunity to further balance power in collaboration with Europe, ensuring more stability and affordable access to electricity.
Effective power balancing is the key to succeeding in the transition to renewable energy and securing sufficient electricity. Everything is interconnected (as Gro Harlem Brundtland notably said in the context of climate challenges) and the ability to execute is critical.
Coordinated, concrete plans and actions are required between industry, the energy sector, and government.
We’d like to issue a big THANK YOU to all who participated in the event and those who came out to watch it live. If you missed the event (or would like a reminder of it) take a look at the slideshow below.
Participants
Gry Helene Pettersen – Vice President, Capgemini Invent
As we ramp up for the second half of 2025, we’d like to inform you of changes to the Energy Valley team.
Perhaps the biggest change is that Bjørn Ottar Elseth has decided to pursue new opportunities and will be stepping down as the CEO of Energy Valley from 15 August. Having first held the role as VP Strategy and Operations, Bjørn Ottar has been leading the way at Energy Valley for nearly two years now. He has brought with him a wealth of experience from the aerospace, communications, and energy industries and been instrumental in the cluster’s growth.
In order to ensure a smooth transition, Bjørn Ottar will continue supporting Energy Valley part time through September.
“It has been a true pleasure and honour to have served as the CEO of Energy Valley. As I now embark on new opportunities in the high-tech sector, including exciting energy projects, I look forward to staying in touch with the exciting companies, organisations, and good people in Energy Valley,” says Bjørn Ottar.
Going forward
For the interim period, Head of Projects and Administration, Vibeke Østlyngen, will step into the CEO role. Having been with Energy Valley for over a year and a half, Vibeke has brought with her more than 25 years of experience from within the shipping and maritime industry. She has an extensive background in operations, strategy, and market intelligence, and has played a key role in growing Energy Valley. We’re confident the Valley is in great hands during this transition period!
The chair of Energy Valley, Kathrine Ryengen, emphasizes the importance of a strong Energy Vally to contribute to the success of the members of the network:
“We’d like to sincerely thank Bjørn Ottar for his contributions in driving the Valley’s journey forward and wish him all the best in his new endeavours! The board is very glad to have Vibeke taking the interim CEO role as the recruitment process for a new CEO has already started.”
Comms support
We are also happy to welcome Leila Asdal Danielsen to the team! Leila joined Energy Valley in June as a part-time Communication Advisor. With an extensive background in all things marketing, communication, and brand, Leila brings with her over a decade of experience from the energy industry.
Returning from abroad
Finally, we are pleased to welcome CCO Preben Strøm back to Norway. Preben has been representing Energy Valley from his base in Singapore for the last two years, but will once more be based in Norway from August. Having more than a decade with Energy Valley directly, Preben has been an integral part of the Valley as it’s developed, changed, and grown over the years. We’re looking forward to having him in the same time zone again and the continuation of great collaboration!
On the left: Leila Asdal Danielsen; On the right: Preben Strøm
We are here to make a difference
As always, Energy Valley keeps our members first and foremost in focus. We’re ready to support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything you’re wondering about or any way we can help. We’re looking forward to an exciting and productive rest of 2025, so keep an eye on our news for more info.
At Energy Valley, we are ramping up our strategic efforts to help members explore and secure EU funding. Whether you’re aiming for Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, or the Innovation Fund, we’re here to guide you from idea to action.
With increasing demand for innovation and green transition, the EU offers major funding opportunities for the energy sector. Energy Valley is strengthening its position as a gateway to these programs – supporting project development, building strong consortia, and preparing members to compete on a European stage.
As EU Advisor, Knut Linnerud provides dedicated support to member companies and partners – from identifying the right calls to building applications and partnerships.
What we’ve done so far this year:
February 28 | Webinar:Positioning for EU Funding in Hydrogen, CCS, and Energy Storage With €3.4 billion available via the Innovation Fund and €184.5 million through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, we explored the scope, synergies, and success criteria with insights from Enova and Innovation Norway.
April 10 | Workshop:Offshore Wind Collaboration (Copenhagen) Together with Energy Cluster Denmark, we gathered stakeholders from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to explore EU funding instruments and build consortia for cross-border collaboration in offshore wind.
May 21 | Seminar:Innovation & Funding In partnership with Akershus County, Bærum Chamber of Commerce and others, we held a practical workshop at Aker Tech House on how to access public and private financing, including EU instruments.
Spring 2025 | TechThursday Series:Thematic Deep Dives & Funding Outlooks Through four targeted TechThursday events, we highlighted CCS/CCUS (TT#2), Renewable Energy (TT#3), Energy Carriers (TT#4), and Subsea (TT#5). Each session included insights into relevant EU funding opportunities, with tailored follow-up to help participants identify calls and build initial ideas. By connecting domain-specific knowledge with EU strategy, we aim to stimulate funding-relevant initiatives across the energy ecosystem.
Coming up after summer:
September 25 | Workshop: “EU Projects & Innovation Funding” Focused on Horizon Europe and Digital Europe. We’ll facilitate matchmaking, early-stage idea development, and preparation for a Brussels delegation trip.
Late October / Early November (Week 44/45) | Delegation:Trip to Brussels We are organizing a targeted visit to the EU capital to meet relevant stakeholders, better understand funding programs, and create real matchmaking opportunities.
These events are part of Energy Valley’s broader ambition to strengthen member visibility and competitiveness in the EU funding landscape – and to build lasting partnerships that accelerate innovation.
Interested in EU funding opportunities? Let’s talk!
If your organization wants to explore funding possibilities, get started with proposal development, or join our Brussels delegation, feel free to contact Knut Linnerud (knut.linnerud@energyvalley.com)
Free career mentor program for spouses and partners of international employees
Oslo Business Region (OBR) are excited to offer a free career mentorship program to the international spouses/partners of startup and scaleup employees. The program connects international spouses with the networks and knowledge they need to pursue relevant, enriching careers here in Oslo.
Not only do international spouses and partners bring great value to Oslo, but their integration here can also help your startup retain vital employees.
OBR launched the 3-month program last fall and have seen great results so far. Some of the core components of the workshop series, created in partnership with Jobbreisen®, are:
1:1 mentorship sessions (all mentees are matched with well-established professionals in relevant industries)
CVs and LinkedIn profiles
How to build a network
How to do good presentations/interviews
Norwegian work culture/cultural codes
Self leadership/how to build resilience
Mock interviews in English and Norwegian
Guest speakers
The program is offered at no cost and is open only to spouses/partners of startup/scaleup employees in Oslo. A detailed schedule and curriculum will be sent to qualified participants (space is limited). The first session is on the 26th of March 2025.
Please provide this registration form to your employees and member/portfolio companies so that they can share it with international spouses/partners. Feel free to pass along this information to other startups and prospective participants.
Det er et hav av arrangementer å velge mellom på Arendalsuka i år – faktisk hele 2171 arrangementer! Lurer du på hvilke arrangementer du skal gå på? Her har vi samlet noen tips til arrangementer om energi, grønn omstilling, innovasjon, arbeidsliv, digitalisering og KI.
Mandag ønsker vi deg velkommen til Kribb for en viktig samtale om rekruttering til fornybar energi.
Energy Valley og Stem Agency Nordic har denne våren samarbeidet med ulike organisasjoner for å utforske hvordan vi kan tiltrekke oss flere kloke hoder til en sektor i vekst. Nå presenterer vi våre funn gjennom inspirerende foredrag med følgende eksperter:
Bli med for å høre deres perspektiver på sentrale spørsmål som: Hva er kompetansebehovet til fornybar energi? Hvordan øker vi rekrutteringen til STEM-fagene? Hvordan kan vi få internasjonale talenter til Norge? Og hvordan kan vi øke mangfoldet i bransjen?
HVORDAN SKAPER VI FORNYBARBRANSJENS SVAR PÅ OLYMPIATOPPEN? EN DIALOG OM NORGES KONKURRANSEFORTRINN
Etter det offisielle programmet inviterer vi til en lett matbit og mingling på terrassen og i foajeen.
Arrangør: Energy Valley, First House Dag: Tirsdag 13.8 2024 20:30 – 21:30 Arrangementstype: Samtale Tema: Energi Språk: Norsk Sted: Bærekraftscenen Vis i kart
Med OL på TV og 30-årsjubileet for OL på Lillehammer i tankene, er det lett å bli inspirert av idrettens suksesshistorier. Men hva skjer når vi overfører den samme tankegangen til fornybar energi?
Har du noen gang lurt på hva næringslivet og industrien kan lære av idretten?
Da bør du komme til Bærekraftscenen tirsdag kveld kl. 20:30 under Arendalsuka for en engasjerende dialog om fornybar energi og Norges konkurransefortrinn, etterfulgt av mat og mingling med andre fornybarentusiaster på terrassen.
Arrangementet innledes av tidligere mestvinnende alpinist Kjetil André Aamodt, som deler erfaringer fra å skape en kultur for samarbeid og kunnskapsdeling blant ener og individualister.
Norsk suksess i vinter-OL har vist oss at ingen vinner alene – bak de norske medaljene ligger sterkt fellesskap, samarbeid og kompetansedeling til grunn. Olympiatoppens kraftsamling av ressurser og tette samarbeid med særforbund og forskningsinstitusjoner gjør både de beste bedre, og de beste flere.
Nå står Norge på terskelen til en ny type gullmedalje: å bli verdensledende innen fornybar energi.
Dessverre må vi erkjenne at Norges energiomstilling har vært som å gå på ski i tungt føre med både feil ski og teknikk… Hvordan kan vi snu denne utviklingen?
Hvilke konkurransefortrinn har vi som nasjon i en situasjon hvor det grønne skiftet er satt på pause, og investorer kun er opptatt av utbytte, olje og gass? Og hvem bestemmer egentlig hva et land skal bli god på?
Vi garanterer tankevekkende diskusjoner og en hyggelig og sosial avslutning på tirsdagen under Arendalsuka.
KUNSTIG INTELLIGENS (KI) I ENERGIBRANSJEN: SKAL VI LEDE AN ELLER FØLGE ETTER?
Arrangør: Energy Valley Dag: Onsdag 14.8 2024 17:30 – 18:30 Arrangementstype: Samtale Tema: Energi Språk: Norsk Sted: Torvscenen Vis i kart
I en tid der digitale løsninger og muligheter raskt endrer landskapet i alle industrier, står energibransjen ved en kritisk skillevei.
Regjeringens visjon, som uttrykt i “Nasjonal strategi for kunstig intelligens” (2020), er at Norge skal kapitalisere på innovasjonspotensialet som kunstig intelligens (KI) tilbyr.
Har Norge, med sine svært gode forutsetninger og allerede etablerte sterke miljøer, det som kreves for å ikke bare følge, men også lede an i KI-utviklingen? Hvordan kan vi best utnytte KI innen bl.a. smart grids, prediktivt vedlikehold, værprognoser for fornybar energiproduksjon, trading, CCUS etc.? Og hvordan kan vi sikre at Norge ikke bare holder tritt, men setter standarden for innovasjon og anvendelse av KI i energibransjen?
Disse spørsmålene står sentralt i vår diskusjon på Arendalsuka, der vi inviterer ledere, eksperter og innovatører fra både energibransjen og KI-feltet til å utforske veien fremover.
Arrangementet innledes av Silvija Seres, en fremtredende KI-ekspert og strategisk rådgiver med bakgrunn fra Oxford og Silicon Valley.
Norway: Pioneering the Green Industrial Transition
Photo: Rainer Jensen/Hannover Messe.
Norway: Pioneering the Green Industrial Transition
Norway is the official Partner Country of Hannover Messe 2024, the world’s leading trade fair. Under the headline “Pioneering the Green Industrial Transition,” Norway will showcase products and solutions from cutting-edge industries including CCS, hydrogen, batteries and AI and machine learning.
Norway is Partner Country of Hannover Messe 2024
With special emphasis on clean energy and industry 4.0, a selection of companies will demonstrate Norway’s ambitions for a low carbon society and its key role in developing solutions necessary to transform the industry and reach net-zero.
In a press release dated 21 February, Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre expressed Norway’s pride in being named Partner Country at Hannover Messe.
“Norway is honoured to be Partner Country at Hannover Messe. Norway’s highly skilled work force, advanced industry and energy technology, as well as high degree of trust and stability, makes us a key partner in the green shift and one of the world’s most attractive countries for business. We are thrilled to showcase the Norwegian way of doing business and highlight what Norway has to offer,” said Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre.
Two Norwegian pavilions
Norway will be present with a national pavilion in hall 12 (Energy Solutions) and in hall 13, with a pavilion specifically dedicated to hydrogen. At the national pavilion, clean energy and industry 4.0 will be at the forefront, with key players like Statkraft, Equinor, Yara, Siemens and Morrow Batteries taking part. Together, Norwegian companies delivering products and solutions from industries such as hydrogen, CCS, AI and machine learning, digital infrastructure, batteries and charging infrastructure, minerals and materials technology, will demonstrate Norwegian industry’s key role in the green transition.
“Norway and Germany are key trading partners and we have entered a strategic industrial partnership on renewable energy and green industry. We hope the Norwegian presence at the Hannover Messe will further strengthen this close cooperation between our two countries,” said Minister Vestre.
Meet the Norwegian companies joining Team Norway for the Hannover Messe and find more information about the Norwegian pavilion here.
