Centre Director Ingeborg Graabak opened the event, highlighting InterPlay's mission to deliver research and innovative tools essential for achieving a cost-effective and nature-friendly energy transition in Norway.
InterPlay focuses on integrated energy system planning to minimise costs and environmental impact associated with the shift to renewable energy. The Centre will develop open-access planning tools that can inform decision-makers about optimal pathways to decarbonise the energy system efficiently.
Michel Bohnenblust, adviser at the Research Council of Norway, welcomed the launch of the Centre and underlined the significance of the FME programme as a crucial vehicle for driving research and innovation aligned with Norway's climate and energy targets.
During the event, partners such as Statkraft and Hydro Energy emphasised the importance of practical, actionable insights from research. Statkraft’s Caroline Østlie highlighted the need for realistic modelling of energy transition scenarios, while Hydro’s Ingrid Saunes pointed out the value of results that balance economic viability with biodiversity conservation and sustainability targets.
InterPlay is organised around five key research areas: Integrated energy system models, Impact on biodiversity, Market and regulation, Open energy system hub, and Case studies. The Centre aims to generate at least 20 innovations and train over 60 experts in crucial fields such as energy system analysis, environmental assessment, and regulatory frameworks.
SINTEF Energy Research leads InterPlay, which unites over 30 partners across Norway, Europe, and the United States, combining expertise from academia, industry, and public administration to address complex challenges in energy transition.
InterPlay research partners:
- NTNU (The Gjærevoll Centre – A Centre for Foresight Analyses of Biodiversity; the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management; the Department of Electric Energy)
- IFE – Institute for Energy Technology
- NHH
- UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
- Technische Universität Berlin
- MIT Energy Initiative
- SINTEF (SINTEF Energy Research, SINTEF Digital, SINTEF Industry)
User partners (industry and public administration):
- Equinor
- Statkraft
- Statnett
- Gassco
- Hydro
- Renewables Norway
- NVE
- Elvia
- Hafslo Oslo Celsio
- Arva
- asplan viak
- Norsk Fjernvarme
- GlitreNett
- Orkland municipality
- Orkland Energi
- Elkem Thamshavn
- Orkland industry park
- Thamsklyngen
- Tensio
- Trøndelag county
- Bodø municipality
- Bodø Energi
- Nordland county
- Volue
- Rystad Energy
- Oslo municipality
