NTNU Energy Transition Podcast

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.

In 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.

In this engaging discussion, David Emberson, an associate professor at NTNU's Department of Marine Technology, sheds light on the pressing need to decarbonize the shipping industry. He explores the challenges of relying on fossil fuels and presents innovative alternatives like LNG, ammonia, and methanol. Notably, David highlights ammonia's potential as a sustainable marine fuel despite its combustion issues. The conversation also covers the importance of port infrastructure and collaborative efforts in pioneering new propulsion technologies to achieve a sustainable maritime future.

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.