EERA-day in Norway
For the first time EERA-day was held in Norway. The energy research community gathered in Oslo to discuss how low carbon energy research can accelerate the green transition in Europe.
– Europe and the European countries can’t become world leaders on all fields within energy. We need focus where it is possible to build leadership and adopt derisking strategies for others, said Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of EERA from stage.
He spoke on European competitiveness in today’s geopolitical environment.
EERA stands for the European Energy Research Alliance. It is a membership-based, non-profit association and brings together more than 250 universities and public research centres from over 30 countries.
This third EERA day followed two successful events in Spain and Italy, and gathered around 80 participants for discussions and insight.
Camilla Stoltenberg, CEO of NORCE, chaired the event. Here she is with Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of EERA
Strategies to accelerate energy research
Funding and strategies for acceleration of low carbon energy research were among the topics discussed on stage.
– It is important that these types of strategies are dynamic and open, ensuring that relevant research environments are mobilized to solve the challenges at hand, said Kristin Guldbrandsen Frøysa, Energy director at UiB during her speech.
– Another important key word is predictability. Uncertainty on funding is the enemy of the powerful and lasting commitment the energy transition need, said Camilla Stoltenberg, CEO of NORCE.
Working together for climate neutrality
Nils Røkke, Vice president of EERA and executive Vice President for Sustainability at SINTEF used the opportunity to promote further collaboration.
– Energy has no boarders, and EERA can make that a true statement. I want to encourage more research institutions to take part of this massive task to become climate neutral by 2050, said Nils Røkke from SINTEF and Vice president of EERA.
EERA-day was co-organised by NORCE, UiB, SINTEF and EERA, and was hosted by the Research Council of Norway.
Rune Volla, Director of the Department for Energy Research, The Research Council of Norway, Ivan Matejak, Director SET Plan & Strategic Programming, EERA, Ingeborg Palm Helland from the research institute NINA and The Portfolio Board for Energy and Transport participated in a panel led by Petter Støa, Vice President Research, SINTEF
Tour of Bergen
EERA extending their trip to Norway, to include a visit to NORCE and the University of Bergen. EERA came to understand the energy-related research activities on the West coast, and were introduced to our work within energy system integration, hydrogen, bioenergy and social science in energy. They learned about our research infrastructur in NORCE Technology park Risavika and our Sustainable Energy Laboratories. EERA also got a demonstration of the Fluid Flower at UiB. The Fluid Flower is a research rig that emulates how carbon will behave when stored below the seabed. VR-glasses was used as part of the demonstration.
