Potentials for clean, locally generated energy discussed at the AEF
The energy transition pathway session at the Arctic Energy Forum in Akureyri, Iceland in October generated useful discussions on the potential for secure and affordable energy solutions.
January 15, 2025
The energy transition pathway session, organized by Magnus de Witt of ACEP and Hlynur Stefánsson of ReykjavÃk University, at the Arctic Energy Forum in Akureyri, Iceland in October generated useful discussions on the potential for secure and affordable energy solutions.
The session panelists from various backgrounds shed light on different aspects of sectors for energy transition across the polar regions.
The first set of presentations focused on utilizing local energy resources for off-grid purposes in the polar areas.
Mari Juel, senior researcher at SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organizations, gave a presentation on the Zero Emission Energy Systems for the Arctic project. With a case study of Longyearbyen in Svalbard as an example, her presentation focused on how a renewable and zero-emission energy system could be implemented.
HÃ¥kon Duus, a solar and smart grid advisor at Multiconsult, a large European engineering consultancy firm, talked about the future of energy with photovoltaic and wind at Troll, a Norwegian research station in Antarctica, drawing from the experience of photovoltaic installations on Svalbard.
The second set of presentations focused on energy transition in the transportation sector.
Albert Alonso Villar, a doctorate candidate at ReykjavÃk University, gave a presentation on how Iceland's heavy-duty vehicle fleet could transition from fossil fuels to electricity and what additional infrastructure would be needed to accomplish 100% electrification.
Þorsteinn Másson, director of the Blámi Energy Initiative in Iceland, a company dedicated to advancing projects that drive the decarbonization of energy sources, discussed sustainable energy options for the maritime sector, in particular on decarbonizing fish farming by using renewables for the fish farming boats, such as shore-based battery electric boats and electrofuels.
The energy transition pathway session gave insight into advantages and disadvantages of various technologies. While energy transitions can occur in various sectors ranging from utilities over land-based transportation to maritime transportation, no one-fits-all solution is available across all the different sectors.
A mix of various technologies bears the potential to foster a feasible, relatively fast and beneficial transition towards clean and locally generated energy, which would help to provide secure and affordable power in the long term.