Hydropower
Dronebilde av et vannkraftanlegg. Shutterstock-ID: 1752043430Photo: Shutterstock

We teach and do research on the energy system, with a focus on finding flexible, sustainable, and socially accepted solutions.

About the research group

  • Our research

    The research in the research group deals with various issues related to the future renewable energy system, sustainability, and social acceptance. Important questions that we are working on are: How can energy production be made more climate-friendly, but at the same time profitable? How do we develop energy systems that are flexible enough to withstand large amounts of renewable energy? How can we develop the energy system without causing too many interruptions for energy supply and the people who live around energy production?


    Our research includes:

    • Political, economic, and technological tools for the development of renewable energy
    • The role of bioenergy in the future energy system
    • Consequences of large-scale development of renewable energy in Europe
    • Flexible interaction between the power and heating sectors
    • Economic outlook for the energy and forestry sector
    • Consequences of climate change on the power system
    • Social acceptance of various renewable solutions
    • Investments under market and political uncertainty
    • Sustainability analyzes for the energy sector

    Our research has an interdisciplinary character, and the professional environment has a visible position within energy system analyses, bioenergy, and sustainable energy. We have good cooperation with complementary research environments, companies, and authorities.

  • Background

    NMBU has a long tradition of research and education in natural resource management and forestry. This was the starting point for the interdisciplinary research group within renewable energy.

    The research group in Renewable energy at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) offers bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral studies in renewable energy. The long tradition of research and education in natural resource management was a starting point for the development of an interdisciplinary program, the bachelor's program in renewable energy started in 2008 and a master's program started in 2010. The first doctoral student graduated in 2014.

    The programs have been in developed and close collaboration with stakeholders in the energy sector to ensure timely and relevant education of high quality, and the programs have long been among the most popular studies at NMBU. Our students have obtained relevant and interesting jobs in the energy sector, which once again have opened doors for new candidates.

    Since the start in 2008, the research group has been an active research group with a high number of doctoral students and many interesting research projects with national and international partners. We use the master's students actively in our research projects.

  • Projects
  • Associated study programs

Members

  • Permanent scientific staff
  • Phd students
  • Other

Selected publications