All scenarios point to solar energy as the dominant source of global electricity production in 2050. Solar technology itself is mature and one of the cheapest alternatives, even in a country like Norway. But as solar energy is scaled up, how do we make sure that the transition takes place sustainably – socially, economically, and environmentally?

In this workshop, our aim is to discuss best practices in governance, energy system integration and knowledge transfer, and to identify knowledge gaps where research has to be intensified to succeed with the solar transition, both with a global and Nordic perspective.

Program

10:00 – Registration
 
10:30 – Welcome, Ole-Morten Midtgård (NTNU) and Henning Taxt (SINTEF Energy)
 
10:40 – Keynote speeches (Session chair: Ole-Morten Midtgård, NTNU)

• Keynote 1: Solar energy in the larger picture (DNV Energy Transition Outlook), Sverre Alvik, DNV ETO
• Keynote 2: The role of solar in the global energy transition, Jae Edmonds, Joint Global Change Research Institute, USA                

11:20 – Break

11:30 – Energy system integration (Session chair: Henning Taxt, SINTEF Energy)

• Speech: How does hybridization contribute to profitable solar power, Terje Melaa, Scatec
• Speech: What is needed from the power grid perspective in high solar penetration situations, and what is required from the solar systems, Knut Styve Hornnes, Statnett
• Interventions by:
  • Kjetil Storset, Volue
  • Keron Denny, Solar Energy Cluster
  • Andreas Bentzen, FREYR
• Plenum discussion / comments from the audience 
  

12:30 –  Lunch
 
13:15 –  Governance, economics and engaging society in the solar energy transition (Session chair: Eirik Lockertsen, Solbes)

• Speech: Development of commercial solar projects under different political systems and economic frameworks, Sverre Trollnes, Equinor
• Speech: What are the energy authorities’ ambitions and knowledge needs for solar power in Norway?, Svein Grotli Skogen, NVE
• Interventions by:
  • Tomas Moe Skjølsvold, NTNU
  • Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg, FNI
  • Torunn Kjelstad, IFE
  • Ola Johannson, Solcellespesialisten
• Plenum discussion / comments from the audienc
  

14:15 – Break

14:30 – Competence, education, and innovation (Session chair: Steve Völler, NTNU)

• Speech: Competence needs in the Norwegian
  business sector for solar scale up. (And
  how can the universities help?), Martin Gjertsen, Aneo
• Speech: Smart energy storage solutions – an innovation journey from a Norwegian company with an international market, Ole Jakob Sørdalen, Pixii
• Interventions by:
  • Mari Lauglo, Norconsult
  • Alemayehu Gebremedhin, NTNU
  • Tore M. Undeland, NTNU
• Plenum discussion / comments from the audience
  

15:30 – Break

15:40 – Main takeaways from the day and next steps

• Main takeaways from the day, and perspectives for the road ahead, Petry Kristine Nøttum Haaland and Magnus Korpås, NTNU
• Documentation of the workshop and plans for further research at NTNU and SINTEF, Henning Taxt, SINTEF Energy and Ole-Morten Midtgård, NTNU
• Plenum discussion / comments from the audience
  

16:30 – End of workshop