Members from the PowerShare team travelled to Norway last month. Jacob, from the team, has provided us with his insight on the travels….
I’m thrilled to share our recent journey to Norway, a fascinating exploration of the Nordic power system and its ever-evolving flexibility landscape. In this update, I’ll take you on a journey through the highlights of the week.
Immersed in Nordic Power
Our adventure began with a deep dive into the Nordic power system. We dissected everything, from production and consumption markets to ongoing developments. The focal point was Norway’s unique challenge: limited grid capacity, highlighting the critical role of flexibility.
Our team was able to meet with some fascinating organizations that all have exciting plans. A big thank you to Heimdall, Rein, Glitre Energi, OSO Hotwater, Flextools, Entelios, Å Insite and Canadian Embassy in Oslo for meeting with us.
NODES did an outstanding job assisting our experience in Norway and I will never forget the hike up Holmenkollen where we were treated to breathtaking views of Oslo and a memorable dinner. NODES team, treating us to breathtaking views of Oslo.
The concept of ‘Flexibility First’ emerged as a powerful theme throughout the week. We discussed the importance of using voluntary, market-based tools before resorting to grid management or regulatory measures.
Our first conference was Flexibility Solutions for the Nordic Markets organized by NODES and Montel group. We had the pleasure to understand the value of optionality and options in energy markets, the kind of large-scale decarbonization solutions companies in Norway are undertaking (specifically, ASKO/Nordesgruppen developing an all-electric drone ferry to replace idling diesel trucks), the value and operational importance of flexibility from an established DSO, and the importance of open protocols and data transparency for household resource aggregation. President and CEO of Essex Power, John Avdoulos had the opportunity to present PowerShare and our journey towards a DSO, sharing Ontario’s context as another lens to view the common challenges of the energy transition.
The second conference we attended was Nordic Energy Day organized by Montel Group. Presentations ranged from market players like aggregators and DSOs to traders and researchers, focusing on the wider challenges to the Nordic and European markets.
We gleaned insights into energy challenges, the vision for hydrogen, and the transition away from fossil fuels. Discussions spanned load growth predictions, price zones, zonal products, and liquidity in the market which all contribute to the understanding that Ontario’s challenges are not unique. In particular, the fact that lack of grid capacity can limit industrial development and electrification even where companies are driven to implement new solutions.
In Conclusion, our week in Norway was an enlightening adventure. Flexibility emerged as a cornerstone element in the energy transition, with ‘Flexibility First’ as the guiding principle. The importance of voluntary, market-based actions in our energy transition toolkit left a lasting impression. These insights will undoubtedly shape our initiatives in Ontario.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey towards a flexible energy future.
