Real solutions for power congestion
We need more electricity, and the power grid must be expanded significantly. But how much and how quickly? This is how “monster masts” and expensive power expansion can be postponed.
SINTEF Energy
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Norway’s thermal energy solution: Powering Europe without the nuclear price tag
Installing just four percent of Europe’s commercial buildings with a Thermal Box from Norway — about the size of an American industrial refrigerator — would spare Europe the need to build seven nuclear power plants.
Why making lighter and better batteries takes time
Chinese car manufacturers aren’t the only ones trying to develop new types of batteries. New materials are being tested in Norwegian laboratories to make batteries lighter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
A green solution to replace the use of potent greenhouse gas
Many large circuit breakers are filled with sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) – a greenhouse gas that is 24 300 times more powerful than CO₂. But an ingenious Norwegian solution could offer us a climate-friendly alternative.
A huge specially designed heat pump has saved a Norwegian agricultural cooperative millions
Energy use to produce concentrated livestock feed is being cut significantly, thanks to a first-of-its-kind heat pump solution. And a happy side effect is even higher feed quality.
Supercharging our grid: How to free up 20% more power
Implementing effective monitoring measures could yield much more energy from the cable network – all without digging a single new trench. Just a dream scenario? No, it is entirely possible, say researchers.
Propelling the world’s giant ships into the future with new sail systems
Modern sails on large ships are becoming increasingly common to save fuel – and also the climate. Now a research team is looking at how to maximize their benefits, and that turns out to be more complicated than anticipated.
A new “plug and play solution” enables offshore charging for electric ships at sea
Connecting ships to charging stations is a bit of a hassle when you are out at sea. But with a new magnetic charging plug for boats – it is about as easy as putting a cup in a cup holder.
The northern lights’ dark twin is a wild card for the power grid
Scientists are working to understand how magnetic currents from the sun spread beneath the Earth’s crust when the northern lights dance across the sky. Their goal is to tame its “dark twin” and prevent damage to our power grid.
A green solution to replace the use of superpotent greenhouse gas
Many large circuit breakers are filled with sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) – a greenhouse gas that is 24 300 times more powerful than CO₂. But an ingenious Norwegian solution could offer us a climate-friendly alternative.
Here’s why you need to charge your EV more often in the cold
When the temperature drops to -20°C, we electric car owners quickly notice it on our wallets. But is it just a matter of driving with the heat on full blast? And what can we do to save the battery as much as possible?
A solution that could reduce aviation emissions by up to 30 percent
Hybrid cars have been successful. Now the aviation industry is following suit and testing out the combination of electricity and fuel.
Seafood should not have to fly
A small revolution is happening in the fishing industry. Freshly frozen fish can now be thawed in a new way, and that means you will have access to super-fresh food from the sea – even if you live thousands of miles away.
Pretty soon, heat pumps will be able to store and distribute heat as needed
Researchers have developed a heat storage unit that takes up less space than a regular hot water tank. It charges when electricity is cheap and releases heat when needed.
How better paper can save billions in the power grid
Norway can save investment costs of a staggering 25 billion NOK [ca. €2.1 billion] in the power grid by upgrading the quality of insulation paper used in transformers – dramatically increasing their lifespans.
New method detects major methane leaks – the good news is that many can be repaired quickly
The wind’s sweep across desert sand provides important information in the hunt for methane gas leaking from oil platforms. Researchers have now applied this knowledge in the hunt for the climate change driver methane.
Adjusting electricity use could postpone expensive power investments
Norwegian hydropower provides stability in the power market, but a more even power consumption in Norwegian building stock could have an impact on the electricity production of hydropower, a new SINTEF study shows.
COP29 resulted in a crisis of confidence – the last thing the world needs
An ineffective negotiation system was the main impression people left with from the climate summit in Baku. Restoring trust in this system must be the top priority for the next conference.
Power ball on transmission wires lowers electricity bills
The Norwegian-developed sensor node detects where transmission lines have available space. It also means that grid companies could avoid building new, expensive and controversial power lines.
We are lagging behind finding measures to combat climate change
That is the message from Atle Harby, senior researcher at SINTEF. He is a member of the expert committee tasked with looking at the socio-economic consequences of climate change.
The summer that changed Norway’s climate policy
He’s been called the father of carbon capture and storage in Norway – but Erik Lindeberg isn’t resting on his laurels. At 76, he’s still crusading to make sure this technology is put to use as quickly and comprehensively as possible, to help the world avoid the worst consequences of global warming.
We can’t allow Google to waste its surplus heat
The new Google data centre being built in Skien is in danger of wasting its surplus heat because Norway has no legislation that reduces this risk. We really need to address this issue!
Development projects should be assessed according to the cumulative impact they have on nature
Does it matter if a small area of rare wetland is lost if a lot more of the same area remains intact? In Norway, it is impossible to say, because no-one can show how many such wetlands are being destroyed elsewhere at the same time.
You may soon be making coffee powered by your car battery
Power cuts can be caused by heavy snow and icing, as well as lightning strikes and strong winds bringing down power lines. Together with more extreme weather events, Norway is also facing a major power supply deficit. So, what can we do to avoid a total electricity crisis?