NTNU Energy Transition Podcast

In this engaging discussion, Benedikt Franke, CEO of the Munich Security Conference and a leading voice in energy security, delves into how energy has been wielded as a weapon in today’s geopolitical arena. He highlights the evolution from historical oil crises to the modern threats posed by Russia and China. The conversation reveals the growing interdependence of energy with global peace and security, stressing the need for new frameworks to navigate today's challenges. It also touches on Norway's lithium resources and the critical role of international cooperation amid climate change.

Henrik Sætness, Executive Vice President at Statkraft and a key figure in renewable energy, shares valuable insights on revolutionizing energy production. He discusses the company's strategic shift from hydro to a diverse focus on wind and solar across 20 countries. Sætness highlights the challenges posed by geopolitical events, particularly the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also emphasizes the need for collaboration to tackle complex issues in energy production and the evolving opportunities in offshore wind and sustainable investments.

In this discussion, Christian Maaß, who leads the Heat, Hydrogen and Efficiency department in Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, dives into the promising energy partnership between Norway and Germany. He explores the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, particularly hydrogen, amid Europe's climate challenges. Christian shares insights on integrated economic and climate policies, the urgency of hydrogen supply security, and innovative strategies for offshore wind and carbon capture collaborations that define the energy future.

Eivind Kallevik, CEO of Norsk Hydro and a leading figure in renewable energy, discusses the company's innovative strides in low-carbon aluminum production. He shares insights into the vital role of aluminum in renewable technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. The conversation touches on global trade dynamics, the significance of hydropower, and collaborations with automotive giants. Kallevik also highlights the importance of purpose-driven careers, underscoring Hydro's commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions for a greener future.

Nils Klippenberg, CEO of Siemens Norway and a key player in the energy sector, discusses Norway's ambitious transition to carbon neutrality by 2050. He delves into electrification's pivotal role, the potential of offshore wind, and the necessity of hydrogen technologies. Klippenberg highlights the importance of collaboration between industries, especially with fishing, and the geopolitical implications of energy decisions. He emphasizes innovations in emissions reduction and the urgent need for political action to combat climate change.

Jarand Rystad, CEO and Founder of Rystad Energy, dives into Norway's energy transition. He discusses how geopolitical issues, like the Strait of Hormuz, impact oil prices. Rystad highlights how interest rates affect renewable energy deployment. He also explores the connection of small CO2 emitters to larger carbon capture infrastructures. The talk highlights Norway's ambitious renewable energy goals, including offshore wind and carbon capture technology, while navigating the challenges in the evolving energy landscape.

Massimo Busuoli, Director of the NTNU Brussels Office, provides insights on key EU energy directives including Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Performance of Buildings. The discussion covers policy-making in Brussels, ambitious decarbonization targets, the importance of voting in European elections, and the role of research institutes in technological advancements.

In this episode, we'll explore the non-technical challenges and solutions for scaling CCS in Norway and beyond with Senior Research Scientist Markus Steen from SINTEF. We'll discuss the importance of CCS in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the role of the state in supporting this technology, and the various economic and organizational hurdles that need to be overcome. Steen, who coordinates the CaptureX project funded by the Norwegian Research Council's CLIMIT program, provides a detailed look into the complexities of integrating CCS into existing industries and the importance of local contexts in determining the success of CCS initiatives.   We also touch on previous episodes covering CCS: #58 – Electrification of Melkøya - why not CCS (Eivind Berstad, Bellona) #51 – Status Quo CCS in Norway (Emil Yde Aasen, Aker Carbon Capture) #32 – CCS in Europe – Still dead or rising like a Phoenix (Eadbhard Pernot, Director Policy zero Emissions Platform)

Rob Stevens, an expert in green fuels from Topsoe, shares his insights on the evolving hydrogen landscape. He discusses the vital roles of blue and green hydrogen in the energy transition, highlighting challenges in production and widespread adoption. The conversation touches on the potential of ammonia for long-distance shipping and evaluates hydrogen's suitability for heating. Stevens emphasizes the need for innovation and a unified approach to overcome infrastructural hurdles and address environmental concerns in hydrogen production.

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.