Norway has long enjoyed low energy prices thanks to its high quality of life and plentiful resources, but recently people are reacting strongly against rising electricity rates.
Solar Panels
Solar panels enable households to become less dependent on the electricity grid by producing power themselves and selling it back at a cheaper rate than what they pay themselves, potentially saving on utility costs. Unfortunately, however, solar panels require significant investments; not everyone can commit financially.
Many Norwegian citizens are satisfied with the current price of electricity; however, some worry it will rise too high and impact negatively upon citizens, especially weaker sections of society. Others suggest high electricity costs are due to overdependence on hydropower; investing in other renewable sources may save money in energy bills in the future.
Studies reveal that investment costs associated with wind, solar and waste incineration plants have only a minor effect on power prices in Norway. On the contrary, energy efficiency measures and purchases such as heat pumps have much larger effects – leading to higher electricity rates in Norway as a whole; though the main cause remains Nord Pool ASA power exchange spot prices.
Not only are high electricity prices barriers to solar PV use in Norway; other issues include lack of information and awareness around solar irradiation and energy output as well as uncertainty around payback time and policy changes. One way these issues could be overcome would be via public-private-people partnership (PPPP), which leverages knowledge from companies, government agencies and community groups alike in promoting PV adoption across Norway.
An impressive PPPP model is the Danish Sundance scheme, which takes an innovative community-based approach to enticing householders to install solar PV panels. Along with financial support, Sundance also includes a community sharing scheme so neighbors can benefit from each PV system installed and reduce energy losses through grid connections.
Energy Efficiency
Norway may be one of the greenest nations with a high proportion of renewable energy, yet will soon experience an energy deficit and high electricity prices. Norway must increase the production and storage capacity for renewables while increasing efficiency to lower power demand – this will benefit both its economy and climate objectives.
However, some individuals and entities are reaping large profits from high electricity prices – not only power companies but also the state in general which profits at the expense of most Norwegians. Oliveira who studies energy ethics states it is unethical for anyone to reap such large returns off energy consumed by others.
Norwegian consumers haven’t experienced as many price increases due to its abundance of hydropower and limited transmission capacity, but could face similar problems if its transmission grid doesn’t expand further and develop renewables.
Energy efficiency measures can help mitigate this trend, including using less fossil fuel for heating and installing efficient heat pumps and stoves. Norway has already taken steps towards improving this problem by mandating energy certificates for all new buildings as well as banning fossil-fueled heaters from existing structures.
As other measures for conserving energy include switching off lights and appliances that aren’t being used, increasing insulation levels in your home and using smart thermostats – the average Norwegian household consumes approximately 10,000kWh each year and this can be reduced by approximately 40% with just some simple changes made by individuals.
Energy conservation not only offers immediate savings benefits for Norway but it can also protect the environment by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions – this is particularly crucial given that Norway is home to both a large population and small land area.
Energy Storage
Energy storage is an indispensable technology that enables renewables to compete with fossil fuels. It can help balance fluctuations between electricity supply and demand and can bring multiple economic, reliability, and environmental advantages. Furthermore, storage can eliminate backup generation requirements, reduce brownout risks during peak demand periods, and boost overall system efficiencies.
Photoncycle, a Norwegian startup company that utilizes solid hydrogen storage, stands out as an example. Their breakthrough technology takes advantage of hydrogen’s very low specific heat capacity so large amounts can be stored and released when required; their prototype should be available on the market within several years.
This technology works by converting solar energy into hydrogen using an electrolyzer, then storing it in tanks made of special plastic material. Similar to batteries, liquid hydrogen has higher density storage requirements allowing for easier transport when required for heating applications within combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
Norway boasts an innovative ecosystem with numerous research institutes and universities dedicated to energy and sustainability, which can be leveraged to develop battery energy storage solutions that support Norway’s ambitions for a greener future. A global opinion poll conducted in 2019 placed Norway second only behind the US in terms of citizens believing climate change exists and humans are responsible.
Norwegian hydropower production and an excellent local low-temperature district heating network combine to form the cornerstones of micro energy systems that reduce total and peak demand from surrounding power grids. One such micro energy system (seen here: bestestrøm.no) has been implemented at Furuset residential area in Oslo. There, it is an innovative borehole TES that has been designed as part of an initiative reducing electricity imports.
During summer, its surplus heat from waste incineration plant storage can be utilized by Furuset buildings while during winter time this heat will be distributed through its local low-temperature DH network to bring heat for distribution from their network DH network supplying them as needed by Furuset’s low temperature district heating network supplying local low temperature district heating network supplying local low temperature district heating network.
Electric Vehicles
Norway can teach us all a thing or two about making electric vehicles ubiquitous. To accelerate adoption and lower emissions, they eliminated import duties on zero-emission vehicles while cutting ownership costs by exempting them from value-added and sales taxes, highway tolls, parking fees and access fees to bus lanes. Furthermore, Norway provided funding for fast charging stations – essential for long distance driving – as well as rolling out an EV database so drivers could easily find their way home.
As of October, Norway saw an astounding return on their investment as electric vehicles (EVs) now make up 91.3% of new car purchases; that includes 84.2% full electric vehicles (BEVs) and 7.1% plug-in hybrid hybrid electric vehicles. Furthermore, Norway now boasts one public fast charger per 100 electric cars according to Norsk Elbilforening, its national EV association.
That means EV owners don’t need to worry about running out of range when driving their EVs and, due to their incredible efficiency – Norway boasts over 400 miles per gallon average BEV efficiency– they require charging less often, thus relieving stress on the power grid and creating less strain for its services.
Norway’s experience provides valuable lessons for countries seeking to decarbonize transportation while highlighting some potential pitfalls that policymakers should keep in mind as the EV market develops. Here are three essential points:
First and foremost, electric vehicle (EV) incentives work best as temporary measures that can be gradually scaled back as adoption rates rise and goals are accomplished. Second, incentives should be combined with policies to reduce driving overall and third, it’s crucial to assess what effect a 7 percent penetration of EVs nationwide would have on the power grid.
