Hydrogen Research Centre Officially Opens

(Original story by NORCE)

The centre will be involved in researching and developing hydrogen production, transportation, storage and bunkering, as well as reviewing all associated regulatory frameworks.

Stay up to date
Sign up for Invest in Bergen’s newsletter

Greater Bergen has cultivated a well-developed knowledge base and labour force. As Norway embarks on the green shift, these assets will contribute to developing new zero-emissions technology and reducing the country’s carbon footprint.

The centre was officially opened by Norwegian Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Aasland. In his speech, he highlighted the need for utilising the full potential of hydrogen.

“Therefore, we will build a value chain for hydrogen, make arrangements to cover national demand and contribute to the development of a market in Europe,” said Minister Aasland. “To achieve this, new and more efficient technologies and solutions must be developed. Expectations for the new centre are therefore high”.

Benefits of hydrogen

As an energy source, hydrogen offers many benefits in reducing greenhouse gas effects, creating jobs, and driving value for the region.

Learn more about clean shipping

“We are now starting work on developing new methods for the production of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers,” said Fionn Iversen, Chief Scientist for NORCE and Head of HyValue. “We must improve business models and reduce costs, but we must also address societal and technological barriers in order to find good solutions for the use of hydrogen to meet our energy needs”.

Get the latest from Greater Bergen

The centre will, among other things, work on how to safely transport hydrogen and use it in the maritime sector. Research will also be done on more efficient production methods.

The centre will receive NOK 15 million annually over an eight-year period from the Norwegian Research Council.