New challenges require new solutions

On 7 May, we gathered a resource group with participants from the municipalities of Eidskog, Grue, Kongsvinger, Nord-Odal, Sør-Odal and Åsnes, together with local actors who represent knowledge and perspectives from industry, research, outdoor life, nature and biodiversity, preparedness, infrastructure , energy and power grids.

The aim of the workshop was to create many ideas, so that we have a wide selection of solutions to choose from, or take forward in collection 3. Then we will discuss what is needed, to ensure that all the solutions we need will help the Kongsvinger region reach its goal of being a region that is good to live in.

What is an idea?

An idea can be defined as a thought, concept or perception that can be expressed in the form of words, images or actions. It is often an abstract term that represents an opportunity, solution or vision for something new or improved. Ideas can be the basis of innovation, creativity and problem solving, and they can come from a variety of sources, including observation, reflection, experience and inspiration.

In workshop 2, the resource group worked on outlining ideas, measures and solutions for the power challenge in the region. Starting from the problem: We want to ensure good access to power for the industry, low electricity prices for people, with as little interference with nature as possible.

From theme and assumptions - to ideas that create action

How have we worked?

The participants were divided into seven different themes to generate ideas for solutions. These themes were summarized from workshop 1, where we mapped what is important in a future, sustainable energy system.

Part 1 was about what requirements we have to make central power grid and energy production:

1. Nature-positive technology: New tools and mindsets for the value and protection of living nature.
2. Green renewable energy: The next thing will not be the best all by itself
3. Bureaucratic processes: The bridge between today's and the future's energy system is collaboration
4. Flexibility in the grid: A robust power grid is not just about expanding more

Part 2 was about decentralized energy production, and what is needed to create this:

5. Energy cooperative: Citizens can invest, create and collaborate on their own energy
6. Agricultural electricity: The energy farmer harvests nature's resources to give us food and electricity
7. Local energy cooperation: One company's surplus and waste is another's resource

Download as PDF here.

Discussion task 1
What solutions do we want in the future - what will it take for these solutions to contribute to achieving the region's goals?

• Prerequisites, are there any additional prerequisites that need to be in place? Make notes on the sheet.
• Work with ideas on how we can create or facilitate these prerequisites. Write on idea cards.

Discussion task 2

Our role as an actor to contribute to a sustainable energy system

• What value do we create - for whom?
• What is our social mission?
• The leading expertise we can contribute with is…

The way forward

Based on the discussions in the workshop, we continue to work on summarizing ideas for measures to be prioritized in the next gathering, and form the starting point for a first outline of the strategy.

Business strategy 2016-2028 for the Kongsvinger region

Business strategy 2016-2028, adopted by all the municipalities in the Kongsvinger region in 2015 and revised in 2020, will be revised again in 2024 following a decision by the Kongsvinger region's inter-municipal political council (KIPR).

Long-term business policy in the region

The strategy determines the long-term business policy in the region. It provides direction for the municipalities and the business development apparatus for how they should contribute to attracting investment and stimulating growth in existing businesses. The strategy also aims to contribute to the necessary interaction between business, municipalities, educational institutions and the business development apparatus. The strategy has the following main objectives:

• Net growth of 100 jobs per years in the period
• 70-100% real turnover growth by 2030 (measured from 2016)
• 55% reduction (incl. transport) CO2 emissions in existing industry by 2030 (measured from 2019)
• Increase inclusion in working life

Seven main strategies 

Challenges such as climate change, energy scarcity, fewer residents of working age and many out of work in the region and artificial intelligence will characterize and influence the Kongsvinger region until 2028. The question is how will the region meet these challenges?

The business strategy seeks to answer the question through seven main strategies:

1. Sustainable growth
2. Powerful and efficient municipalities
3. Infrastructure and commercial areas adapted to the market
4. Competence and R&D
5. Competence recruitment and reputation building
6. Strong alliances and cooperation on common goals
7. Effective utilization of digital solutions and AI

The strategy requires cooperation both internally in the region and with national players and expertise environments to succeed.

Decisive with predictable framework conditions for business

Business has the main responsibility for its own development, but the municipalities and the business development apparatus must facilitate, offer measures that support the growth of business. For business, it is crucial to have predictable framework conditions. Together we must find solutions that ensure the necessary skills development and access to qualified labour, integration, inclusion, infrastructure development and solutions to nature and the climate crisis.

The strategy's focus areas – bioeconomy, industrial development, logistics, construction and knowledge-intensive service provision – will be decisive in the years to come. Focused effort on investment areas will strengthen the power of growth.

The strategy takes account of and supports under the Inland portfolio and state strategies for industrial and business development, climate/environment and knowledge.

Despite positive development in many areas, the Kongsvinger region still needs an active, strategic and joint approach to business development. A common understanding of the region's challenges and goals is also required to be able to act effectively now and in the future.

READ THE CONSULTATION PROPOSAL HERE!

The deadline for submitting proposals for a business strategy for the Kongsvinger region is 15 June 2024. Proposals can be sent to Lars Gillund by email: lars@klosser.no, with the subject: "Consultation input business strategy".

A common target image for the Kongsvinger region

Before we start talking about solutions - we must first agree on where we are going. What future do we really want for the Kongsvinger region and what will it take to create it? It was the starting point for the first workshop in the Kraftutfordingen.

On April 18, we gathered a resource group with participants from the municipalities of Eidskog, Grue, Kongsvinger, Nord-Odal, Sør-Odal and Åsnes, together with local players who represent knowledge and perspectives from industry, research, outdoor life, nature and biodiversity, preparedness, infrastructure , energy and power grids.

During the workshop, the participants worked their way through a number of issues to discuss what future we want for the Kongsvinger region and what it will take to get there.

Why don't we just go straight to talking about a solution?

Like many complex challenges, the power debate is characterized by feelings, assumptions and opinions about what are good/bad solutions.

It can be nice to disagree, as it helps us shed light on challenges and solutions from many perspectives. At the same time, it does not help us if it prevents us from proposing, discussing and prioritizing solutions together - so that we get closer to action.

In order to create space for the good discussions, we must first have something in common to navigate towards, something we can roughly agree on. Therefore, we start the process by talking about where we are going - a common target image - which describes the future we want to create for the region.

Four impossible stories about the Kongsvinger region 2040

How have we worked? 

1. Hypothesis

The starting point for the work is our hypothesis that the prerequisite for a vibrant region is jobs. Jobs are the starting point for population growth, and tax money that the municipality depends on to carry out statutory tasks.
And that good access to power for industry will lead to us both retaining and increasing the number of jobs.

2. Discussion tool

Future scenarios are a tool to help us navigate an uncertain future.
In order to challenge established truths and shed light on the possible consequences of the development of renewable energy, as well as developments in the number of jobs, the municipalities and the Kongsvinger region have contributed to outline four different scenarios that point to opportunities and challenges for industry, residents, as well as the environment and natural diversity.

Download four impossible stories as .pdf here 

3. Discussion paper

Based on the future scenarios, the resource group worked in four groups, each of which took a position on the questions:

• What challenges do we face to get the population development we want in the region?
• What is our responsibility, regionally and nationally, in relation to energy?
• What are the small and large advantages of the Kongsvinger region that we can build on?

The purpose of the assignment was:

• That the participants should get to know each other
• That subject experts should become aware of local conditions
• That we as a region should be challenged from outside

Our future

What challenges do we face to get the population development we want? Some of the points discussed were:
Can we re-dream for a better reputation 
The words we use shape our reality and we are too good at talking ourselves down. Perhaps the key to a bright future is that we lean into the issues, focusing on what we want to achieve and talking more about the good things that will help the region take a clearer position as attractive to people and businesses.

Talent will attract talent 
With the University College, CREDS and Science Park, we have begun to close the gaps around missing educational institutions, a competent environment and jobs for those with a high degree of education.

Attractive workplaces 
Together with industry and business, we must create attractive workplaces. It may mean flexibility, infrastructure for virtual work

Infrastructure is the foundation for good business development
With the new train line and BaneNor, we will have more freight transport through the region. At the same time, we have to work with infrastructure for power grids, roads and charging - to efficiently move goods and people.

Nature and culture 
We are surrounded by nature and culture. But sometimes you don't see the forest for the trees? How can we arrange for more people to take advantage of the good offers in the region. And make room for new activities, to get a broad-spectrum offer, which may hit new target groups.

Knowledge takes us from the "side hole" to those willing to change 
Willingness to change is closely linked to knowledge. In the region, we have a lack of knowledge about energy, our role in the major societal challenges and demands that will soon affect us. Now we work together to acquire more knowledge, the aim is to put ourselves in a position to face challenges ahead, so that we can take care of the citizens in the best possible way.

Our responsibility

What is our responsibility? Some of the points discussed were:

Affordable renewable energy is the industry's competitive advantage 
Our main responsibility lies in covering our own power needs, so that we have enough power for industrial workplaces and maintain the standard of living we have today, which largely depends on access to cheap electricity. Affordable and renewable energy has been - and can still be - a competitive advantage for Norwegian industry. In addition, we must think about energy for preparedness for the region.

Not just a lack of energy – but also a lack of power grids 
An aha experience for many of us is that the challenge with the local power grid is as great as the lack of energy. The lines do not have the capacity to transport more electricity than they already do today. An important part of the solution is energy efficiency, but in order to trigger line investments, the industry must report its need. This can take a long time, due to the assessment of maturity in each individual project, as well as a long processing time. Local production will trigger new development more quickly, and lead to the establishment of lines that the industry can eventually connect to.

The climate goals 
Norway's goal is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by 50 to 55 per cent by 2030. This means that we must have a level of our emissions, equivalent to what we had in the 1990s. An important part of this transition is the electrification of fossil-powered machines and vehicles.

We can profit by helping our neighbour 
If we have a slightly altruistic perspective, we want to help our neighbour. More production can, with well-thought-out business models, provide more money in the municipal coffers for welfare services, we can learn from the success from when we started extracting oil and managed to build a world-leading supplier industry and become a clear voice as a region in the national.

The possibilities are many, but we must first understand what potential the region has, and where the pain threshold is.

The way forward

Based on the discussions in the workshop, further work is being done to summarize a common target picture that will be presented for input in an open meeting on 5 June in Innlandet Science Park (InSP). More information about this to come.

From challenge to joint power strategy

The municipalities in the Kongsvinger region are working together to create a power strategy that helps us understand the need for energy and manage development so that we ensure a region that is good to live in. To do this, we must work holistically and based on knowledge. 

On 26 January 2024, Klosser Innovation presented the report "The power situation in the Kongsvinger region" for the councils in Eidskog, Grue, Kongsvinger, Nord-Odal, Sør-Odal and Åsnes.  

To gain more knowledge about the different challenges and opportunities, subject experts with backgrounds in solar energy, wind power, nuclear power, hydropower and power grids had their own presentations, as well as a panel discussion with questions from the audience.  

It became clear that we are faced with a trilemma: We want good access to power, low electricity prices and as little interference with Norwegian nature as possible.  

It is in this landscape that we must find broad, unifying solutions where we recognize that we must build out more grids and increase the production of green energy, while at the same time realizing that there are power development projects that we must leave behind - because the costs in the form of natural interventions become too large. 

With this as a backdrop, the chairmen were invited to discuss three issues in connection with the power challenge: 

• What is the power challenge for the industry? 
• What is the power challenge for the region? 
• Where can we look for solutions? Give examples. 

The results from the discussions were used to create a project description and issue for a collaborative process that will lead to a joint power strategy for the Kongsvinger region. 

The power challenge  

In order to create a Kongsvinger region that is good to live in, for a variety of people, for many generations, we must meet the changes in power demand within nature's tolerance limit. 

A safe life is a good life. Robust workplaces, a solid knowledge environment and an industry that plays along with the green shift must be the foundation for our region. 

What opportunities arise when we have to ensure good access to power for industry, low electricity prices for people and as little interference with nature as possible? 

Good access to power 

Lack of power will lead to more expensive electricity and less industry. We must ensure fossil-free energy production and a robust power grid. 

Gray areas
Do we have areas that have already been developed, or that have a low impact on nature, that can be used for energy production? 

Energy mix
What is the optimal composition of sources for energy production in our region? 

Capacity in the network
The municipalities do not build grids, how can we highlight the region's great need for power for development and preparedness? 

Sensible consumption 

We will never build enough power, we must also think smart about reducing consumption and utilizing the flexibility of the network. 

Electrification
The consequence of the green shift is the electrification of vehicles, construction machinery and industry. How do we facilitate this? 

Local energy cooperation
How can we create incentives for new and established industries to utilize each other's resources, adopt new technology and produce their own electricity? 

Reduce consumption
Agriculture and residents account for the largest consumption in our region. How can we help and reward residents who manage to reduce their electricity consumption? 

From many municipalities to one region -

Collaboration for value creation  

In order to meet our ambition for value creation, we need new ways of organizing cooperation, a common target image and a clear direction for the future. 

Joint power strategy
With common language and goals, can we unite the municipalities behind one strategy for power development and utilization? 

Simplify processes
Can we collaborate more closely with industry and energy producers to create an attractive investment climate for new businesses? 

Fair distribution of values
How can we ensure that the municipalities that destroy nature get a share of the value creation today - and in the future? 

What is a power strategy? 

En power strategy helps us understand the need for energy and manage development so that we ensure a region that is good to live in.  

In order to create a good strategy, we must work together, based on a good understanding of today's challenges, a common target picture of where we want to be in the future and a clear process that helps us identify measures and prioritize these to get us there.  

Process for collaboration 

Our definition of strategy is the starting point for a process that is carried out over three workshops, with a resource group consisting of participants from each municipality, as well as representatives from nature and the environment, outdoor life, research, energy, power grids, industry and infrastructure. 

The aim is for the strategy to be a knowledge-based decision-making basis for each municipality in the region. The resource group consists of participants who have been recruited because of their specialist expertise in important fields that can help us debunk myths, challenge established truths and really orient the discussions. 

What is the power challenge?

In autumn 2023, Klosser Innovation was commissioned on behalf of the Kongsvinger region to investigate the power situation in our region. The aim was to map the challenges we face and the opportunities we have going forward.

We already have an energy deficit in winter 

The Kongsvinger region is currently dependent on imports to have sufficient energy. The reason is that our biggest energy sources today are not possible to regulate. Hydropower produces little in the winter when there is a lot of ice and less current down the river and wind power does not produce when the wind is calm. Importing electricity is also not without its challenges, as our area is characterized by a lack of capacity on the electricity grid. The transmission network is the main network in Norway, and are the lines that give all regions access to a common marketplace to buy and sell electricity when needed. Most power lines in this network have a voltage of 200kV (kilovolts) or higher. In our region, we are the only area in the interior to have a transmission network of only 132 kV, which means that we can transport less electricity in and out of the region.  

For less electricity leads to less industry, infrastructure and restructuring 

A survey shows that the industry in the Kongsvinger region has the potential for a doubling in turnover towards 2030 for the 25 largest businesses.  

Despite large industrial growth ambitions in the Kongsvinger region, the feedback from Elvia and Statnett is that in the short and medium term there is not enough power in the power grid for larger industrial ventures. As of now, it is unclear whether there is sufficient power/effect to meet the needs of the established businesses, and it is unclear whether it is possible to establish and develop new industry in the region. 

Lack of electricity will prevent new industry players from establishing themselves, and in the worst case contribute to the closure or relocation of existing industry that cannot realize its expansion and growth plans. Without good access to power, the Kongsvinger region will lose important industrial jobs. 

Green transition creates a greater need for renewable energy 

Businesses are given new requirements to convert from gas/oil as an energy source to emission-free energy sources. At the same time, a restructuring is taking place where freight transport is switched from fossil fuels to electric power, which will entail a need for charging infrastructure close to the industry. In addition, the Kongsvinger region has established several large industrial areas where several new industrial enterprises with large power requirements and possible turnover of billions wish to establish themselves, or are in the process of establishing themselves in the region. This means increased production, which based on today's production logic will require much higher power consumption and power requirements than today. 

The Energy Commission's NOU (2023) points out, among other things, that if the climate targets are to be reached, this means a massive need for more renewable power. They point out that we are entering a new era that requires a comprehensive restructuring of the energy system, and we are running out of time. The commission also points to the need for more efficient utilization of power resources where we have to achieve smart energy use, which is more energy efficient, more digital and more flexible. 

We must build on our strengths 

The Kongsvinger region is historically a very strong industrial region with great growth potential. Industry in the region is already working very actively with energy efficiency and 7sterke's energy mapping program has shown potential in identified measures corresponding to 4.3 GWh/year with 10-15% savings in annual energy consumption. It is now expected that further growth will be facilitated through: 

1. Strengthening the transmission network to the region, which in turn ensures the possibility of growth in existing industry and the establishment of new industry. Possibility in the long term, but fraught with conflict and with high costs in the form of investments in new lines and transformer capacity. Depending on industrial investment. 
2. Opportunity to test out flexible utilization of the energy infrastructure within an industrial area (smart grids), which will make the utilization of energy more efficient, which will in the next step enable growth in existing industry and new connections. Opportunity in the short term, but requires new technology utilization and regulatory adjustments. 
3. Development of more sustainable and renewable energy, and link this to the possibility of establishing and scaling green industry where the development takes place. There are medium-term opportunities in solar and wind, where wind is fraught with conflict, while solar has limited potential. Hydropower has low development potential in our region. All unregulated power can have increased utility in combination with storage through batteries or hydrogen production. 

The power report briefly summarized

The Kongsvinger region has a large growth potential linked to both existing and new industry. In addition, established industry must be converted from fossil to non-fossil energy sources and more of the transport electrified. As of today, there is not enough power and capacity to meet all these needs. 

The Kongsvinger region and Innlandet are importer of power in winter and during the coldest periods. However, the hinterland is a net producer of power for the year as a whole. 

Line capacity and the region's electricity infrastructure is weak and Elvia reports that there is not a sufficient grid for new establishments. It is therefore important to work for improvements to the grid, but this is dependent on more energy production and new large consumption connections. 

It is possible with energy efficiency of approx. 10-15% in industry. This will reduce electricity consumption, but will not enable connections to new industry. 

The possibility of replacing parts of the electricity consumption with district heating, especially in new developments. 

Vannkraft has a very low development potential in the region, given current technology. The best hydropower projects have already been developed and upgraded. In addition, Glomma and its associated waterways have a flat terrain with a minimal drop height, which gives a low production capacity. 

It is possible to establish a lot solar power, but this requires large investments in electricity infrastructure as solar power requires a large effect on the grid. Solkraft delivers most in the summer months when demand is lowest. 

Vindpower entails natural encroachment, as well as visual and audible noise (but within the limit value of 45 dB). However, wind power has a large energy potential in the winter and has the finances to contribute to infrastructure development. 

Nuclear power has a potential for high production of green power. However, there is disagreement about the time perspective linked to introduction and whether nuclear power is the right way to go for Norway. It is recommended that the region stays up-to-date on the possibilities and considers participating 

Download the report: The power situation in the Kongsvinger region as a PDF here.