Challenges related to energy and climate change are very closely linked. Success in tackling the energy challenges will contribute to resolving climate change issues. At SINTEF Energy Research we are working with tomorrow's energy systems and thus also technology for a better society.
In 2017 our research has contributed in fields such as smarter energy systems, more robust electrical power technology, an energy efficient industrial sector, and has brought us a step closer to full-scale CO2 management. The sum total of all this is a more sustainable energy system and better approaches to addressing climate change issues.
During the last year, we have welcomed many interesting visiting delegations, including politicians, industrial concerns and public sector administrators. We often invite them to our key facility – the SINTEF Energy Lab. Our experience is that people are impressed by what we have achieved here. Indeed, the Norwegian Energy Minister has said that "it is here we create the future".
Last year we succeeded in the Norwegian competition for research infrastructure funding, both for the development of smart power grids, and for a new laboratory for researching into energy efficiency in industrial processes.
2017 saw the opening of the new ECCSEL laboratory at the thermal power generation centre at Gløshaugen, in collaboration with our most important partner, NTNU. Research activity takes place not only within the building, but also on its roof, and at 70 metres below ground level.
Every year we welcome a group of young researchers to work with us during the summer. These are competent students who work on a variety of projects together with members of our permanent research staff. In 2017 we created a new record with the announcement of as many as 40 summer research jobs. I think it's incredibly inspiring to observe the effort and talent among these young researchers.
2017 was not only a good year financially, but above all an important year for research. You can read more about this in this annual report.
Inge R. Gran, CEO
We shape the future's energy solutions
SINTEF Energy Research is a research institute that generates value for its clients, both in Norway and worldwide. We are part of the SINTEF Group, which is one of Europe's largest independent research centres. SINTEF is an independent and non-commercial organisation.
SINTEF Energy Research has a pronounced research profile and is involved in six of the Research Council of Norway's Research Centres for Environmentally-Friendly Energy (FMEs) in partnership with industry and other research institutions. The institute maintains a strong position in the EU's Framework Programme for research, and participates in an extensive range of projects linked to issues such as energy planning, energy efficiency, hydropower, wind-power, CO2 transport and storage, and cleaning technologies for gas and coal-fired power plants. The high-level technical profile developed by the institute, via activities such as assisting the Norwegian Parliament to achieve its cross-party Climate Change Policy Consensus, means that the institute's researchers are now at the forefront of European energy research.
View the Board's Annual Report 2017
View Annual accounts 2017
In 2017, for the eleventh successive year, we welcomed researchers to work at SINTEF during the summer. 2017 was a record year with as many as 32 researchers selected from 250 applicants.
2017 was their first year of operation, and everything is well under way. In the following you can read summaries by the managers of the CEER centres about how the year has developed.tt.
Research carried out at CINELDI into tomorrow's smart energy systems will, among other things, facilitate the introduction of more energy from renewable sources into the electricity grid, the electrification of transport, and the more efficient use of energy both in private households and by industry. Read more about the centre in its annual report
In order to achieve our climate change targets, reduce costs and boost industrial efficiency, we need more efficient energy systems, both in Norway and worldwide. HighEFF aims to develop know-how and technology that will promote more energy-efficient, competitive and environmentally-friendly industrial processes at equipment, factory and regional scales. Read more about the centre and its achievements in 2017 in the annual report.
Research at the NCCS centre builds on the work carried out by the BigCCS CEER, which completed its activities in 2017. It's main task is to facilitate research, development and the rapid implementation of CCS technology. NCCS carries out research across the entire value chain, from the capture and transport of CO2 produced in Norway and Europe, to its ultimate storage in reservoirs on the Norwegian continental shelf. ead more about the centre and its work in 2017 in the annual report.
From 2009-2017 SINTEF Energy Research hosted four FMEs: NOWITHECH, CEDREN, CenBio and BigCCS.
Since 2009 they have contributed to numerous innovations and increased knowledge about wind power, environmental design, bioenergy and CCS, as well as laying the foundation for new FMEs. Below, you can read more about each FME and what they have achieved over the past eight years.
NOWITECH
The vision of the Norwegian Research Centre for Offshore Wind Technology was to contribute towards making the exploitation of offshore wind in deep waters both technologically feasible and economically viable. In the course of its eight years the centre produced a total of 40 innovations in the field of offshore wind technology. It is estimated that eight of these innovations have a total estimated value of five billion euros, which is 100 times the centre's research budget. Read more about the research, results and innovations of NOWITECH on nowitech.no
CenBio
The increased use of bioenergy is part of the process of tackling challenges linked to climate change. For this reason, the aim of the Bioenergy Innovation Centre was to facilitate the development of a cost-effective bioenergy industry in Norway. The centre has achieved this in the form of as many as 20 innovations and more than 250 peer-reviewed publications. Read more about the importan work of CenBio in their final report and on cenbio.no
CEDREN
The Centre for Environmental Design of Renewable Energy was a truly multidisciplinary centre that for eight years conducted research into the interplay between technology, ecosystems and wider society. The centre has developed new and innovative systems to equip the hydropower industry to meet tomorrow's requirements for balance power and energy storage. It has also developed methods and models that enable hydropower production and ecosystems to co-exist without hydropower operations continuing at the expense of ecosystems. Read more about environmental design for renewable energy and CEDREN's research on cedren.no
BigCCS
The aim of the International CCS Research Centre was to enable sustainable energy production from fossil energy sources by means of the cost-effective capture, transport and storage of CO2 using knowledge development and technology. The centre has succeeded in this aim, and has paved the way for a new FME centre called NCCS that will continue to build on research carried out at BigCCS. Read more about their research adn results in the centres final report and on bigccs.no
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