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

Annette Gohn-Hellum – Ekspedisjonssjef, Riksrevisjonen

Anne Sagstuen Nysæther – Administrerende direktør, Elvia

Morrow Batteries – Lars Christian Backer, Administrerende direktør, Morrow Batteries

Inga Nordberg – Direktør Energi og konsesjon, NVE

Ole-Jakob Siljan – VP and Head of Yara Technology center and Yara Porsgrunn, Yara International

John Olav Tande – SVP R&D and Innovation, Statnett

Lene Westgaard-Halle – Stortingsrepresentant, Høyre

Sigurd Rafaelsen – Stortingsrepresentant, Ap

Knut Linnerud – EU Advisor, Energy Valley

Recap in pictures

Did you miss the event? Check out our slideshow: