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The NTNU Energy Transition Podcast aims to function as a knowledge hub that empowers individuals and organizations in Europe and beyond to tackle climate change and move our global society towards carbon neutrality.
New episodes every second Thursday.
The podcast is hosted by the NTNU Energy Transition Initiative which was established to deliver world-leading research on energy transition strategies to achieve the Paris ambitions. You can find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and on our webpage. Please reach out by mail to "julius.wesche@ntnu.no".
Webpage ntnu.edu/energytransition
New episodes every second Thursday.
The podcast is hosted by the NTNU Energy Transition Initiative which was established to deliver world-leading research on energy transition strategies to achieve the Paris ambitions. You can find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and on our webpage. Please reach out by mail to "julius.wesche@ntnu.no".
Webpage ntnu.edu/energytransition
71 Episodes
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Want to learn more? Check out Julius' upcoming webinar: Gigaton Gear - Most pressing challenges to global DAC deployment
In this episode, we flip the table. Heidi Fossland, the new administrative director for NTNU Energy Transition, interviews our regular host, Julius Wesche about the multifaceted challenges and advancements in direct air capture (DAC) technology.
Julius discusses his comprehensive study based on 34 interviews with experts, shedding light on the seven key functions essential for fostering innovation within the DAC sector. The conversation delves into topics such as market creation, legitimacy concerns, resource mobilization, and the impact of policy frameworks on technological deployment. Julius emphasizes the importance of establishing a robust innovation system that accelerates DAC deployment to achieve gigaton-scale carbon capture. He also touches on the potential policy implications of his findings, suggesting strategic approaches to enhance regulatory frameworks, education, and public communication to combat climate change effectively.
Today we dive deep into the heart of climate and energy investment, focusing on the evolving landscape in Norway and its broader implications globally. Our guests, Linn Hege and Jean-Baptiste, bring a wealth of experience from the investment sector, sharing their perspectives on the importance of sustainability, digitalization, and the crucial role of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation within the climate tech and energy sectors.
We explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid growth of the digital sector and its environmental impact, discussing the necessity of innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of our increasingly digital lives. The episode sheds light on the significance of measuring the positive impact of technology on sustainability, the role of strategic investments in fostering technological advancements, and the need for a comprehensive approach that includes government policies, corporate strategies, and individual actions to tackle climate change effectively.
1In this episode of the NTNU Energy Transition podcast, we dive into the world of Norway's battery industry, focusing on the innovative strides being made by Morrow Batteries. Our guest, the CTO of Morrow Batteries.
Dr. Rahul Fotedar shares his journey from petroleum engineering to becoming a pioneer in the battery sector. He details his educational background, starting with petrochemical engineering in India, moving on to chemical engineering in Germany, and eventually leading to his influential role in battery technology development.
The episode highlights the significance of batteries in today's world, from their origins in portable electronics to their crucial role in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. We explore the different types of lithium-ion batteries, such as Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), and discuss the future of battery chemistries, including the promising manganese-rich cathode materials, being developed by Morrow Batteries.
Our discussion also touches on the challenges and opportunities facing the battery industry in Europe. The need for a diversified and local supply chain to mitigate risks and ensure the industry's sustainability.
Join our Young Energy Professionals Event on Monday (16:00 - 18:00) at Gruva, NTNU-Gløshaugen). Sign up under the following Link: https://www.ntnu.edu/web/energytransition/green-energy-shifters-2024
In this episode, we explore the decarbonization of the shipping sector with David Emberson, an associate professor at NTNU's Department of Marine Technology. David discusses his transition from PhD research in London to pioneering sustainable marine fuel research in Norway, highlighting the shipping industry's reliance on fossil fuels and the varied challenges across different vessel types.
The conversation dives into alternative fuels like LNG, ammonia, and methanol, alongside emerging technologies such as fuel cells, wind assistance, and onboard carbon capture. David emphasizes ammonia's potential as a viable marine fuel due to its efficient hydrogen storage and existing global production infrastructure, despite challenges like toxicity and combustion efficiency.
Furthermore, the episode touches on the complexities of integrating new propulsion technologies into maritime vessels and the critical need for port infrastructure development to support alternative fueling and carbon capture strategies.
Concluding with reflections on the urgency of collaborative efforts and decisive action towards shipping decarbonization, this episode underscores the innovation and global cooperation required to achieve a sustainable maritime future in the face of climate change challenges.
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of floating wind technology with guest Synne Nybø from SINTEF Ocean. She shares her journey from obtaining a master's degree in marine technology from NTNU in 2017 to her transition from consultancy to PhD researcher.
Synne discusses the technical and environmental aspects of offshore wind energy, highlighting the advantages of floating wind turbines, such as their ability to harness stronger offshore winds and their minimal impact on seabed and marine life. She explains various mooring systems and the importance of designing efficient and resilient structures to withstand harsh ocean conditions.
The episode also covers the potential of shared mooring systems to reduce costs and environmental footprint, the role of offshore wind in the energy transition, and the ongoing developments in marine technology research. Synne's insights provide a deep dive into the innovative solutions being explored to harness the power of the ocean for renewable energy
Hello, dear listeners! This is just a short update to let you all know that our podcast will be taking a brief winter hiatus. I am diving into some other research projects and will need a few weeks to focus. But fear not, I'll be back in just a few weeks!
In the meantime, consider joining the Green Energy Shifters network meeting on March 11th. This event is part of the NTNU Energy Transition Week - a week filled with conferences and workshops dedicated to the energy transition. The main event is the NTNU Energy Transition Conference, which is a free and open place to learn, network, and contribute to the critical dialogue around sustainable energy solutions. Consider joining us there!
Keep warm and stay tuned for when I return. Thank you for your continued support, and remember to mark your calendars for March 11th!
During the Oslo Innovation Week at the end of September, I interviewed Israeli entrepreneur and investor, Eshel Lipman, founder of Ignite the Spark - a community that promotes EnergyTech in Israel.
In this episode, Lipman shares insights into his journey from engineering in Australia to founding an energy tech startup, and the intricacies of Israel's energy landscape. We talk about the shift from coal to natural gas and the country's renewable energy goals. Despite abundant sunshine, Israel faces challenges in expanding solar energy due to grid congestion and geographical constraints. Lipman also touches on Israel's electric vehicle market, noting the slow adoption rate and the need for better public transportation infrastructure.
The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of Israel's energy transition. Lipman underscores the necessity of regulatory and grid reforms to accelerate the deployment of solar and energy storage solutions. He envisions Israel as a burgeoning source of energy tech innovation, attracting global attention and investment, and contributing significantly to the global energy transition.
In today's episode, we discuss the emerging field of agrophotovoltaics (agri-PV) with Marta Victoria, an associate professor specializing in solar photovoltaics and energy systems modeling at the University of Aarhus in Denmark.
We learn about the basic concept of agro-PV, combining agriculture and solar panels on farmland, and discuss its benefits, geographical viability, challenges, and the use of different crops. Marta explains various installation methods—horizontal and vertical setups—and addresses concerns regarding material consumption, reduced solar panel yield due to crop shadows, and potential collaborations with irrigation systems to optimize water usage.
The ongoing HyPErFarm Project aims to create real installations in Germany, Belgium, and Denmark to study and implement agro-PV systems, focusing on crop-solar panel interactions, irrigation integration, and overall efficiency.
Ewan Dunlop leads the European Solar Test installation at the Joint Research Centre (JRC). As we will cover in the episode, JRC's work is significant in the standardization and calibration of solar PV technologies, which ensures accurate measurements, reliability, and trustworthy information for consumers.
In this episode, Dunlops explains the history of solar PV testing, emphasizing its evolution from early applications in the 70s to current silicon-based module dominance. He highlights the crucial role of standardized testing methods in guaranteeing product quality and market confidence.
In this podcast episode, we explore the concept of just transitions in the context of energy transition. The episode features a conversation with Dr. Kirsten Jenkins, a senior lecturer in Energy, Environment, and Society at Edinburgh University, discussing the challenges and complexities of achieving a fair and equitable energy transition.
We delve into four key principles or tenets: distributional justice, recognition of affected communities and individuals, responsibility for addressing injustices, and procedural justice, which involves evaluating the processes in place to address these issues.
The conversation highlights real-life examples, such as the impact of cobalt mining, building on grazing lands used by Sami reindeer herders, challenges faced by oil and gas workers, and issues related to the implementation of renewable energy technologies. The episode emphasizes the importance of acknowledging historical injustices, considering the cultural identities of affected communities, and ensuring that the energy transition benefits everyone, leaving no one behind.
In today’s episode: The complex decision-making process behind the energy infrastructure at Norway's Melkøya LNG plant. The plant, located in the Snøhvit field in the northernmost region of Norway, lacks a pipeline to transport gas to Europe. Therefore, the gas must be liquefied, a highly energy-intensive process. There have been plans to decarbonize the liquefaction process through carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. However, recently the government has shifted towards electrification, raising questions about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of CCS.
Our guest this week is Eivind Berstad, a chemical engineer and team leader for CCS in the environmental NGO Bellona - an organization working towards finding climate solutions, emphasizing the importance of industry cooperation and research funding.
Together, we delve into the Melkøya plant's history, operational challenges, the reasons behind considering electrification over carbon capture, and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. We consider factors like rising emission costs and the future outlook of carbon reduction initiatives. The episode highlights the urgency in finding economically viable solutions to curb emissions and achieve climate goals, underscoring the intricate balance between environmental responsibility and economic viability.
Mentioned in this episode: Eivind on the Mimir & Marsdal podcast.
Carl Christian Strømberg, is founder and CEO of Solcellespesialisten, Norway's largest solar PV installer. Carl shares his journey from graduating with an electronics degree from NTNU in 2005 to becoming the CEO of a leading solar company in Norway. He talks openly about the challenges of starting a solar business in a market where solar installations were virtually nonexistent, and his plans for the future.
Over the years, Solcellespesialisten has snowballed, doubling its workforce and expanding its operations several times. Carl explains how the company focuses on quality and close relationships with customers to achieve this growth. When listening to this episode you will also learn about the status quo of the Norwegian solar energy ecosystem and how Carl and Solcellerspecialisten aim to shape it in the future as the energy transition progresses.
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The NTNU Energy Transition Podcast is a project by the NTNU Energy Transition Initiative designed to share energy-related knowledge and, thereby, help accelerate the deep decarbonization of our society as swiftly as possible. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to this podcast and give it a five-star rating on the app of your choice. Thanks a lot and looking forward to have you back in two weeks.
If you want to send me feedback or suggest other podcast guests please reach out via Linkedin, or write me an email to julius.wesche@ntnu.no.
In this episode, I interview the Executive Vice President for Sustainability at SINTEF, Nils Røkke, in front of a live audience during NTNU's Hyfer festival. The conversation, initially meant to focus on Norway's looming power deficit, also encompasses other aspects of Norway's energy transition and the challenges it faces
Røkke explains that Norway is one of the most electrified countries globally, but that it still relies on fossil fuels in some sectors. He touches on the trade-offs involved in the transition, such as social acceptance of renewable energy projects and the balance between affordability, competitiveness, and sustainability.
Røkke emphasizes the importance of developing renewables, energy efficiency, and offshore wind power to meet the growing energy demand while reducing carbon emissions. He also mentions the role of hydropower and the need for more investments in the energy sector to achieve decarbonization goals.
After our talk, we invited the audience to challenge Nils with some questions of their own.
In this episode, we cover three recent news related to energy transition. First, I discuss the electrification of Melkøya, an energy island off the coast of Hammerfest in Norway. Next, about Germany's decision to phase out fossil heating systems, which contribute significantly to the nation's CO2 emissions, and will likely reduce the demand for gas from Norway. And finally, an update on electric vehicle registrations in Norway, where more than 83% of new passenger cars registered in August 2023 were electric.
This episode was a bit make-shift, as the planned guest had to cancel. But stay tuned for upcoming episodes: Next we're interviewing Carl Christian Strømberg, Founder/CEO of Solcellespesialisten, Norway's largest solar installer. Plus, don't miss the live episode recording on September 22nd and a Green Energy Shifters networking event on September 28th in Oslo as part of Oslo Innovation Week.
Nicola Paltrinieri is a Professor of Risk Assessment at the NTNU Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and leads the NTNU Team Hydrogen. He joins us to discuss the complexities of hydrogen safety and its role in the energy transition.
The conversation starts off by bringing up an earlier podcast episode. In episode 44, Professor Robert Warren Howarth, co-author of the controversial paper "How Green is Blue Hydrogen?" was a guest. Professor Paltrinieri was part of a comment team that aimed to provide a more balanced view of that paper, and helps us understand the nuances of the debate surrounding the paper, emphasizing the importance of data accuracy, context, and diversification in investment.
Following the blue hydrogen discussion, the conversation shifts to hydrogen safety. Professor Paltrinieri explores the complexity of hydrogen safety, emphasizing that it involves multiple factors beyond just combustion and explosion risks. He addresses the challenges of working with an emerging technology where operational experience is limited, leading to uncertainties in statistical analysis. Additionally, he discusses the interaction between human factors and technology, and the need for effective inspection and maintenance strategies.
Also, check out research centers HYDROGENi, HyValue, and the Norwegian research school on hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels, HySchool.
In this summer bonus episode, Herman Hegli Sagør from YoungEnergy discusses various aspects of the energy transition with Jacopo Iorino from Equinor. They delve into Equinor's commitment to net-zero goals, renewable energy, and career opportunities for graduates interested in working in the renewable industry.
Iorino, a leader in Equinor's communications department, shares his experiences as a graduate within the company, where rotations among different departments are common. The conversation covers Equinor's efforts to balance oil and gas production with renewable energy growth, emphasizing increased carbon efficiency and developing renewable projects like wind and solar. Iorino highlights the company's focus on strategic planning, investment allocation, and the importance of individuals contributing to the energy transition within various roles. He explains how Equinor's diverse business segments allow employees to engage in different dimensions of the energy transition, whether one's passion lies in renewables, strategy, engineering, or other areas.
Due to the holiday break, we've asked youth from Young Energy and Young Climate to create two bonus episodes for us. Having the freedom to choose both guests and topics themselves, their first episode delves into a somewhat controversial topic: Nuclear energy, and its potential in Norway.
Today's host, Daniel Øystrøm, starts by discussing the historical context of nuclear energy in Norway. The episode features two other students from UngEnergi and UngKlima, and Professor Erik Wahlström, the leader of the newly established NTNU Team Nuclear, whose primary goal is to gather information and resources related to nuclear energy to determine the best strategies for the university's involvement in the field.
Their discussion touch upon public and political opinion on nuclear energy in Norway, the complexity of the current nuclear energy debate, the credible arguments on both sides, and the potential risks and costs associated with nuclear power. The need for a more nuanced public debate is emphasized.
Ultimately, the episode explores whether Norway should actively participate in nuclear energy development or wait to observe progress in other countries before making decisions. It raises questions about the viability and safety of different nuclear technologies, such as thorium-filled reactors, and the importance of cost-effectiveness in determining the future of nuclear energy in Norway.
Jørn Haanæs is the investment director at Katapult, a climate venture capital fund. We discuss the challenges and rewards of being involved in startups, emphasizing the need for passion, excellence, resilience, and the importance of pursuing meaningful problems and maintaining motivation in the face of challenges.
Haanæs explains the role of venture capital firms in providing risk capital to startups and highlights the importance of finding outliers that can generate significant returns. We look closer at the concept of accelerators and how Katapult combines venture capital investment with an accelerator program to support early-stage startups.
In this episode of the NTNU Energy Transition Podcast, we invite Hege Marie Norheim to discuss the future of battery production in Europe. Hege, who is an executive vice president at FREYR, shares her journey from working in the Prime Minister's office in Norway to her current role in the battery industry. She helps us understand how batteries play a crucial role in the energy transition, by decarbonizing the transportation sector and scaling renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Norheim sheds light on the growing demand for batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. While discussing the potential for recycling used lithium-ion batteries from the mobility market, she emphasizes that the demand for fresh batteries is enormous and expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
The conversation also touches upon different types of batteries, including vanadium flow batteries used in stationary applications. Hege explains that each battery type has its own advantages and trade-offs depending on factors such as charging speed, energy storage capacity, and lifespan. She emphasizes the need for optimizing battery chemistry to meet various requirements.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the role of batteries in the energy transition and the future of battery production in Europe.
Norway's "IRA": https://www.dn.no/politikk/ira/jan-christian-vestre/store-regjeringen/mener-den-norske-pakken-er-bedre-enn-usas/2-1-1477692 (norwegian article)
Emil Yde Aasen, a Market Strategy & Insight Manager at Aker Carbon Capture, shares his insights on the challenges and developments in the CCS market. Together, we discuss the importance of CCS in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and enabling decarbonization in hard-to-abate industries.
Emil also highlights the two operational CCS projects in Norway and the ongoing efforts to capture and store CO2 emissions from industrial processes. The episode provides an overview of CCS, its significance in combating climate change, and the emerging field of carbon capture and utilization. We shed light on the progress made in CCS technology and the need for further commercial projects to scale up its implementation. Join the conversation to learn more about the current state and future prospects of CCS in Norway and beyond.
Also, consider joining our Green Energy Shifters networking meeting tomorrow. See more information at greenenergyshifters.no.
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Great, recently I did a lecture on TIS to my class at HVL, and I am going to introduce this episode to them.