Businesses can now discuss research ideas with our expert

As a skills broker, Hermund Arntzen Dale has first-hand knowledge of how research can help companies solve their challenges.

Competence Broker is a free tool for developing business in Viken through research-related projects.

For several years, Smart Innovation Norway has represented one of seven brokers in Viken county. Hermund Arntzen Dale has recently taken on the role and is already well underway with both outreach activities and guidance of companies.

- Well suited as a competence broker

The aim is for business to develop through research-based innovation by helping business actors to identify areas where research can contribute to further growth.

Dale gets high praise as a skills broker from Violette Yi Qin, project coordinator for Skills Broker in Viken.

- We believe Hermund is a good fit for the role due to his work experience, educational background and personality. He has worked in various industries within energy and technology and has a good understanding of the public funding system both through academia and work in industry. The fact that he has work experience as an entrepreneur, we think is very positive - then you can forge closer ties with an important part of the companies, which is the main goal of competence brokerage. In addition, he is friendly and motivated, which we think is a success factor for being a good competence broker in Viken," she says.

The key tasks of a competence broker are to help companies identify problems that can be solved with research, find relevant partners and the right expertise in the research community, and find funding schemes that can co-finance the project.

- My background means that I have good knowledge of the public funding system, and that I know the needs and challenges of early-stage companies. I also find it very fun to tackle challenges in the business community and look at the opportunities that exist to develop new solutions while working with my areas of interest, which are technology, climate and the environment," says Dale.

- To become more profitable than they are today

The competence brokerage scheme is funded by the Viken County Council's Forregion programme, which aims to mobilize increased use of research as an innovation tool.

Based on the Research Council's three priority areas of sustainable transition and value creation, commercialization from research, and regional development, competence brokers have been established within urban, urban and regional development, health and care, climate, energy and environment, and technology.

Dale offers his expertise and advice in technology together with Per Olve Tobiassen from SpinOn AS in Kongsberg.

- The service is initially aimed at enterprises with little or no research experience. The premise is that development should take place through research. Together we will identify the problem and potential of the business, with the aim of creating returns and new jobs. We will simply find solutions that are more profitable than they are today," Dale explains.

Skills brokers exist in every county and the community works across municipal and county boundaries.

- I can easily connect them with the right competence broker in the right field and geographical location. The others do the same for me. In this way, we have a nationwide reach and, in practice, no limitations," says Dale.

Need for guidance

Most research and development (R&D) projects rely on funding schemes to be realized. And it is start-up companies that often have the opportunity to try out new ideas in response to changes in the market.

Unfortunately, figures from the Research Council show that small and early-stage companies are the most likely to have their applications rejected.

- Young companies naturally do not have experience in writing project applications, and many do not spend enough time on formulating themselves correctly or responding to what the call for proposals actually asks for. It can therefore be useful to get guidance from a competence broker when writing applications," says Dale.

The offer aims to give companies experience in R&D. The FORREGION Business Project support scheme is therefore central. Under this scheme, companies can receive up to NOK 200,000 for their research project.

Competence brokers also provide guidance on other funding schemes at the Research Council of Norway, the Regional Research Fund and other actors. However, competence brokers do not provide guidance on writing applications to Innovation Norway (IN)'s funding schemes because they have their own supervisors.

- We work closely with IN and can, however, refer to relevant personnel who can be of good help to the company, Dale explains.

Short route to skills and networks

The "competence broker" function was awarded to Smart Innovation Norway since the company already works with business, development, innovation, applied research, technology and clusters.

Read more about Smart Innovation Norway's two other business clusters:

Dale has access to Smart Innovation's entire network and all the knowledge of its employees. This puts him in a particularly good position to assist Viken's business community.

- The way we work on a daily basis at Smart Innovation is not very different from the typical day-to-day work of a competence broker. We share and use methods such as facilitating workshops, uncovering needs, mapping competencies and identifying potential, so I have a short path to competencies other than my own," he explains.

Experience so far shows that the free skills brokerage offer has great potential to become known among business stakeholders.

A large part of Dale's job will therefore be to conduct outreach activities both directly to innovation environments, companies and individuals, and by being present at trade fairs, conferences and other meeting places where these actors participate.

- An important task will be to motivate innovation and development. Not everyone sees their own potential, but with my knowledge and network, I see opportunities where others do not. However, it is crucial that the will to innovate comes from within, and another important part of my job will be to be realistic and make the right recommendations for further development," he says.

Practical information

There is no application process for using a competence broker, nor is there any cost associated with the service.

Interested parties can contact Hermund Arntzen Dale by e-mail or phone +47 909 68 284.

Strengthening Norway's export opportunities

When the National Export Council asked for input to identify possible strategic focus areas, it was natural for the DECOM cluster to get involved and present the capacity, knowledge and potential our cluster partners represent.

In the Hurdal Platform from 2021, the government has stated that it will increase Norwegian exports other than oil and gas by 50 percent by 2030. To achieve this, the country needs new industries and export opportunities, and one of the measures the government has implemented is the establishment of the National Export Council and the export reform Whole Norway Exports.

Through the new initiative, the authorities, the business community and the public funding agencies will work closely to achieve the Støre government's export goals, and Smart Innovation Norway's three clusters provided solid input on future export opportunities.

Strong communities of excellence

Nicholas Richards was involved in preparing the DECOM cluster's input to Whole Norway Exports together with the Institute for Energy Technology and Halden Municipality.

Energy, artificial intelligence and decommissioning are the areas of expertise around which the NCE Smart Energy Markets cluster, the Cluster for Applied AI (CAAI) and the Cluster for Decommissioning and Repurposing (DECOM cluster) bring together partners.

Norway has several actors in business, public agencies, research and academia with expertise in these areas. Many of these actors are partners in the networks of our three industry clusters, and they therefore represent a strong community of expertise in their fields.

The DECOM cluster and Smart Innovation Norway are part of the recognized Halden environment, which includes the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and Halden municipality. The cluster works to create new jobs and sustainable development so that Norway can take a leading position in decommissioning and reuse, and in their input, the three actors argue why decommissioning should become one of Norway's priority export areas.

Read the full contribution here!

Decom-by-Norway Download

Solid national and international experience

The partners in our NCE Smart Energy Markets cluster aim to be world leaders in smart energy and digital technologies. Norway must make the most of this advantage.

In Norway, significant resources are being invested in the digitalization of the energy system. This not only solves national challenges, but creates technologies, services and expertise that can be used in other markets, and the work in NCE Smart Energy Markets has provided solid experience in research and development both nationally and internationally.

Norwegian companies are in a position to become important suppliers of energy solutions on an international market, and NCE Smart Energy Markets works closely with several of these companies. Therefore, the cluster provided input on which export opportunities it can contribute to.

Read the full contribution here!

2022-Input-Export opportunities-Energy Download

- Exports must be facilitated

Together with Abelia, NHO's association for technology and knowledge companies, CAAI submitted a submission that, among other things, points out that ICT companies represent a separate industry in itself with the export opportunities it brings with it.

Marianne Jansson Bjerkman, head of the Cluster for Applied AI, is clear that it is important for Norway to take a larger share of the global market and at the same time get a better grip on the data economy. ICT companies can contribute to this.

- To achieve this, it is important to facilitate the export of digital products and services, even though this will require expertise and tailoring. The bonus is that we will then also have the opportunity to get a better grip on larger parts of other value chains," she says.

Read the full contribution here!

Export-strategy-Innovation-Digital-technology-and-services Download

"Decom by Norway" - All of Norway exports

Whole Norway Exports is the government's export reform where the authorities, the business community and the policy instruments will join forces to make offensive advances abroad. The government's goal is to increase mainland exports by 50%.

Published on December 15, 2022

Department of Energy Engineering, Smart Innovation Norway and Halden municipality submitted their input to the National Export Council on December 1, 2022 to become one of Norway's priority export areas in Whole Norway Exports.

(English version below)

From left. Åsmund Bråtekas from Halden municipality, István Szőke from IFE and Nicholas Richards from Smart Innovation Norway — From left: Åsmund Bråtekas from Halden municipality, István Szőke from IFE and Nicholas Richards from Smart Innovation Norway representing the Halden community. PHOTO: Henrik Diskerud Meyer

Decommissioning is the dismantling of man-made installations, storage of hazardous waste and reuse of materials. Norwegian nuclear decommissioning creates room for maneuver with its social mission. It is important that Norway is alert and creates value from this work.

IFE is recognized for its knowledge, research and innovation in decommissioning, primarily for the nuclear industry.

But there is also decommissioning in oil and gas and other infrastructure that has been decommissioned and is to be recovered. Knowledge about decommissioning is therefore necessary and sought after both nationally and internationally.

Nuclear decommissioning in the world is estimated to cost on average NOK 70 billion per year.
Decommissioning costs in the oil and gas industry are estimated at NOK 420 billion until 2024.
At the current rate of decommissioning oil platforms, it takes about 100 years to recover the current elements.
Decommissioning worldwide is estimated to generate 30,000 direct FTEs. In addition, there are employment impacts at suppliers and subcontractors.

Read the full submission from IFE, Smart Innovation Norway and Halden Municipality (in Norwegian):

Decom-by-Norway Downloading

The specific input concerns the export of technology developed at IFE. The HADRON(Hazard Aware Digitalizationand ROboticsin Nuclearand other domain) laboratory integrates IFE's technology-based innovation built up over 70 years. Safety in nuclear physics, combined with 3D simulation and real-time radiation technology, with the application of modern mobile robotics and sensor technology.

It is important that Norway strengthens an already world-leading position with XR-based learning (eXtended Reality), 3D simulation-based planning systems and robots that support and/or replace humans in hazardous working environments.

These are products and services that are already in demand, but the applied research is transferable and can lead to important innovation in many other areas. The input is aimed at the primary need to address nuclear decommissioning, but the technology is directly transferable to oil and gas decommissioning, working radiological laboratories, emergency response training and other hazardous applications.

How can Norway take its share of the decommissioning cake? The Halden community has provided input on this to the Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre and the Whole Norway Exports business reform.

English version:

"DECOM by NORWAY - The whole of Norway exports

Hele Norge eksporterer is the Norwegian Government's export reform where authorities, businesses, and agencies will join forces to make offensive moves abroad. The Government's goal is to increase mainland exports by 50 percent.

Published December 15, 2022

Institute for Energy Technology, Smart Innovation Norway and Halden municipality submitted their input to the National Export Council on December 1, 2022, to become one of Norway's prioritized export areas in Hele Norge eksporterer.

Decommissioning is the process of dismantling man-made installations, storing hazardous waste, and reusing materials. Norwegian nuclear decommissioning creates room for action with its societal mandate. It is important that Norway is aware and creates value from this work.

IFE is recognized for its knowledge, research, and innovation in decommissioning, primarily for the nuclear industry.

But oil and gas, as well as other infrastructure that has become obsolete, must also be decommissioned and recovered. Knowledge of decommissioning is, therefore, necessary and sought after both nationally and internationally.

Nuclear decommissioning worldwide is estimated to cost an average of NOK 70 billion per year.
Decommissioning costs in the oil and gas industry are estimated to be NOK 420 billion until 2024.
At the current decommissioning rate of oil platforms, it will take about 100 years to recover today's elements.
The decommissioning worldwide is estimated to provide 30,000 direct jobs. In addition, there are employment effects with suppliers and sub-suppliers.

Read the whole document (in Norwegian):

Decom-by-Norway Downloading

The specific input concerns the export of technology developed at IFE. The HADRON laboratory (Hazard Aware Digitalization and RObotics in Nuclear and other domain) integrates IFE's technology-based innovation that has been built up over 70 years. Safety in nuclear physics, combined with 3D simulation and real-time radiation technology, using a modern mobile robot and sensor technology.

It is important that Norway strengthens its already world-leading position with XR-based learning (eXtended Reality), 3D simulation-based planning systems and robots that support and/or replace humans in hazardous working environments.

These are products and services that are already in demand, but the applied research is transferable and can lead to important innovation in many other areas. The input is directed towards the primary need to handle nuclear decommissioning, but the technology is directly transferable to decommissioning in the oil and gas industry, work in radiological laboratories, emergency preparedness training and other health-hazardous areas.

How can Norway take its share of the decommissioning market? The Halden Group(Institute for Energy Technology, Smart Innovation Norway and Halden municipality) has given input to Minister of Industry and Trade Jan Christian Vestre to the export reform Hele Norge eksporterer.

Clusters celebrated their partners: "The most important highlight of the year

The Partner Conference 2022 gathered around 100 people in the Smart Innovation Arena and engaged the audience throughout the day with a packed program that engaged, challenged, enlightened and socialized the participants.

A lot of good things come out of face-to-face meetings between people. The Partner Conference 2022 is a good example of this, bringing together partners from Smart Innovation Norway's three clusters, the Cluster for Applied AI, NCE Smart Energy Markets and the Cluster for Decommissioning and Repurposing.

- This created engagement!

Stian Melhus (in the middle). PHOTO: Anja Lillerud

A key item on the program was the interaction arena.

Using the World Café method, participants were able to unleash their creativity, engagement and knowledge through discussions around defined and very real issues.

The aim of the program post was to create a safe space where everyone could share experiences across fields of knowledge.

- "When we use the World Café method, we break up the big groups and make it easier for everyone to be heard. This created real engagement," says an enthusiastic Stian Melhus from Smart Innovation Communities.

He was responsible for the organization and implementation of the World Café and points out that one of the most important aspects of the interaction arena is building relationships by solving problems together.

- This creates conversations that would not otherwise come up, and it opens participants up to listening and building trust between partners. "Many people exchanged business cards during this part of the program, suggesting that it was an arena for relationship building as much as problem solving," says Melhus.

- A fun way to work

A meeting place for airing and discussing challenges has been requested by municipalities, cluster partners and portfolio companies with which Smart Innovation Norway collaborates. The interaction arena is a measure to meet this need.

During the Partner Conference, the municipalities of Marker and Halden and the technology company Ophion from Fredrikstad presented their challenges to the participants.

The challenge from Halden Municipality concerned mobility options in connection with a large sports arena under construction in the city center. Marker Municipality brought an energy issue to the table, and Ophion wanted input on funding solutions for their pilot project for sensors that detect leaks in water pipe networks.

Ronny Andersen from Ophion appreciated all the input from the rest of the conference.

- There was a lot of engagement and a lot of ideas. The proposals are good, and even though there were some approaches that I was initially a bit skeptical about, during the World Café I became convinced that they are interesting anyway. This was very useful," he continued:

- This has given us some very good contacts that we are excited to talk to in the near future.

Pål Warset works as a sales manager in the water data company Intoto. He attended the World Café as a participant and worked on the challenge for Halden municipality.

- It was very interesting to have so many different people working on the same task and across borders. A very fun way to work, he concluded afterwards.

Watch the video from the conference:

Rich conference

The total of around 100 people who participated digitally and in person enjoyed an eventful day with three interesting presentations.

Jan Fredrik Beck-Bjørntvedt is an engaging speaker.

NRK's Jan Fredrik Beck-Bjørntvedt gave a terrific presentation based on his collaboration with former kayaker Eirik Verås Larsen on how to win Olympic gold. Beck-Bjørntvedt explained how the theory of becoming the best in the world can be transferred to business and society.

CEO of Nord Pool, Tom Darell, came to Halden to give the conference participants the latest news from the power market and the electricity price situation.

Fred Martin Langøy of cluster partner Smart Energy Systems AS and battery company Hreinn talked about exciting plans for what will be one of Norway's first battery factories.

In addition, the day included presentations by various cluster partners, a summary of the year for Smart Innovation Norway's three clusters, information about Smart Innovation's offer of competence broker and EU networks, good mingle breaks, lunch, a panel discussion and the announcement of the Cluster Partners of the Year 2022.

The award ceremony was the last item on the agenda. The secrecy surrounding the awards is great, and the joy and surprise of the winners is equally great.

This year's winner in the Cluster for Applied AI was Simula Consulting AS, while Smart Energy Systems AS came out on top at NCE Smart Energy Markets.

Read more: Cluster partners of the year 2022 have been named!

From left. Inge Bilet (NCE Smart Energy Markets), Fred Martin Langøy (Smart Energy Markets AS), Eli Haugerud (Head and Smart Innovation Communities), Anders Aamodt and Elias Myklebust (Simula Consulting AS) and Marianne Jansson Bjerkman (Cluster for Applied AI). PHOTO: Anja Lillerud

- A great arena

The aim of the Partner Conference is to create a meeting place for the cluster partners of CAAI, NCE SEM and the DECOM cluster. But a content-rich program does not come by itself, and the preparations for the Partner Conference take a long time.

- "This day is the most important highlight of the year where we focus on those who build this environment that we are so fond of and proud of," says Head of Smart Innovation Communities, Eli Haugerud, and emphasizes that she has a great team both on stage and behind the scenes.

Eli Haugerud summarized the past year for the three clusters Cluster for Applied AI, NCE Smart Energy Markets and Cluster for Decommissioning and Repurposing. PHOTO: Anja Lillerud

The recurring good attendance of the conference shows that cluster partners appreciate a full day of useful lectures and presentations and valuable socialization.

The data center company Storespeed from Halden has been a member of the NCE SEM cluster since 2017, and founder and CEO John Ragnar Amundsen is one of those who prioritize attending the Partner Conference.

- I am attending to get to know more. Just by being here, we have made very valuable and good contacts with other partner companies, and it provides a synergy that we find very exciting," he says.

Amundsen has actively used the cluster network in many ways, which has helped Storespeed to deliver several major results.

- "The cluster is a fantastic arena to be able to collaborate with companies that are interested in what we do. It's a fantastic environment to be in," he says.

- Meeting relevant companies and people

Another partner is the consulting company Amesto NextBridge. There, Vincent Aardalsbakke is head of AI and emerging technologies, and he sees great value in the cluster membership on behalf of his employer and himself.

Vincent Aardalsbakke from Amesto NextBridge. PHOTO: Anja Lillerud

- We want to be present where relevant people and companies are. Therefore, it was natural for us to become a member of the Cluster for Applied AI because here there are many people who want the same thing and help each other to achieve their goals. A big part of my job is to be out there and take in needs and trends to be able to translate that into competence and plans for employees, and in that way the Partner Conference is fantastic. There are many companies here and many different elements. It allows you to introduce yourself and make new acquaintances, and this is much of the point of cluster activities as I see it," he says.

The state agency Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) is tasked with decommissioning the country's nuclear facilities and safely storing radioactive waste. NND is one of the founders of the DECOM cluster and sees the work of the cluster as a key part of the efforts to build a knowledge network on decommissioning.

- If we get partners to work with us and share the knowledge and expertise we build up, we can create new and green industries with export opportunities abroad. We can't do it ourselves since we are a government agency, but we want to help establish a network that can create more than the green lawn that we deliver when we have finished decommissioning. We are creating that network through the DECOM cluster," says Martin Andreasson, Sector Director Communications at NND.

Decommissioning the nuclear reactors in Halden and Kjeller - how should we do it?

The decommissioning and reuse cluster was presented during the second day of Arendal Week.

The DECOM cluster, which is run by Smart Innovation Norway in close cooperation with, among others, the Institute for Energy Technology, Halden Municipality and Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning, will become a Norwegian power and knowledge center for decommissioning.

Smart decommissioning

The cluster was presented during Arendalsuka, and cluster leader Nicholas Richards from Smart Innovation stated, among other things, that there is a great need in Norwegian business and industry for the expertise that the cluster will help to acquire, gather, utilize and develop.

MEET SMART INNOVATION AT ARENDALSUKA!

- Many countries have been decommissioning their nuclear facilities for a long time already, so Norway cannot wait any longer to get on board.

- The opportunities for Norwegian industry are linked to technical and smart ways of decommissioning. These are options we need to look at when working on this. We also have a large network that is relevant for the development of jobs in decommissioning, said Bjørn Axel Gran and Thomas Norlander from IFE.

Contributing to community development

Halden Municipality was represented at the presentation by Åsmund Bråtekas, who pointed out the potential of public procurement regulations. He also saw great opportunities for growth.

- It is important for Halden to create an attractive host municipality and contribute to community development," he said.

Part of community development is to facilitate that the work done in Halden can be transferred to other municipalities to create business and facilitation in more places.

Political attention

MP Solveig Østby Vitanza (Ap) praised the high academic level in her home town.

- Halden has enormous expertise and is in an excellent position to export both the expertise and the technology," she pointed out during the presentation.

Overarching the cluster's work is the importance of being specific about how the technology can be applied in decommissioning, but also in other relevant areas such as fire and rescue.