Category: Cluster for Applied AI

Role of AI and IoT in a Renewable-Powered Future

Renewable energy is playing a major role in transforming the energy sector towards a cost-effective, low-carbon, and sustainable future. A rapid decline in the cost of solar and wind power generation is leading this energy transition.

However, a sharp growth of renewable energy generation is needed further to meet the objectives. As an illustration, the share of renewable electricity should be 85% of the total electricity generation to meet the climate objectives mentioned in the Paris Agreement 2015 (IRENA, 2019).

Therefore, other potential solutions need to be explored.

In this regard, appropriate utilization of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which is already being explored in transforming several domains like smart cities, e-Health, smart buildings and industries can play a crucial role in a renewable-powered future.

Flexibility and Renewable-Powered Future

The developments in the renewable energy sector bring several challenges that are mainly associated with the variable generation of renewable power, especially regarding wind and solar. The main reason behind Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) is uncertainty in weather and its forecasting.

Figure 1: An illustration of power system flexibility and its coupling with different sectors

To deal with variability and uncertainty, flexibility needs to be explored at different levels like supply-side flexibility, Grid flexibility, system-wide flexibility and demand-side flexibility. An illustration of power system flexibility from several potential levels and its coupling with different sectors is presented in Figure 1.

Insufficient flexibility might result in several issues like load shedding and VRE curtailment. Thus, flexibility is the capability of a power system to cope with the variability and uncertainty that VRE generation introduces into the system in different time scales, from the very short term to the long term, avoiding curtailment of VRE and reliably fulfilling the energy demand to the customers (TAIBI et al., 2018).

Role of AI and IoT I

Innovation can play a critical role to increase flexibility in a renewable-powered future, particularly the ICT tools. With the advancement in digital services, it is expected that a total of 75 billion electrical devices would be connected worldwide and share their data with consumers, manufacturers and utility providers (BRIEF, 2019).

An illustration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in a smart home is presented in Figure 2.

Figure 2: An illustration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in smart homes.

Big data collected from IoT devices can be fed into the machine learning algorithms to extract crucial information which can further help in automation and decision-making in the context of flexibility improvement and its resilient coupling.

Several companies in different sectors have been utilizing the benefits of IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the energy industry is no different. The services of AI and IoT can be utilized in weather forecasting, energy consumption, and demand prediction and thus can improve flexibility at different levels and decrease uncertainty.

Some examples of the utilization of AI and IoT in intelligent power consumption management are:

  • EWeLiNE: a machine learning-based software used in Germany. It uses artificial intelligence and data from solar sensors, wind turbine sensors and weather forecasts to predict power generation. Therefore, it results in the successful integration of renewable energy systems while minimizing losses due to surplus power generation and power shedding.
  • Utopus Insights: a company based in New York and India that is focused on improved forecasting for the electrical grid using machine learning.

AI and IoT have immense capacity to make the future of renewable energy robust and reliable and lead to the achievement of sustainable goals.

Relevant Projects at Smart Innovation Norway

  1. HouseholdFlex: To explore the possibility of introducing flexibility at the end-user level by predicting energy consumption patterns in smart homes.
  2. AI Battery Optimizer: To integrate battery storage for improving flexibility in domestic and industrial energy systems by developing AI algorithms.
  3. IntHydro: Developing an intelligent tool for optimal hydroelectric energy production and sale to cater for the transfer of results to other energy sectors such as oil and gas by utilizing AI and Machine Learning tools. 

References

  • BRIEF, IL Internet of things. 2019.
  • IRENA. Innovation landscape for a renewable-powered future: solutions to integrate variable renewables. [Sl]: International Renewable Energy Agency Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2019.
  • TAIBI, E. et al. Power system flexibility for the energy transition: Part 2, irena flextool methodology. 2018.
Surender Redhu

Contact

Surender Redhu
surender.redhu@smartinovationnorway.com

The Cluster for Applied AI and NCE Smart Energy Markets offer free continuing education to their members.

- Managers without knowledge of artificial intelligence miss out on many opportunities

Having a conscious relationship with artificial intelligence and understanding the potential of the technology can take companies to new heights.
Valery Naumova
Valeriya Naumova is the general manager of Simula Consulting and one of those who have prepared the free further and continuing education course that members in the Cluster for Applied AI and NCE Smart Energy Markets are offered. - It is important that company managers understand what artificial intelligence is and how they can use the technology strategically in their company, she says. PHOTO: Private

Compared to the traditional industry that arose in the 19th century, artificial intelligence is a new type of technology. But the truth is that the term "artificial intelligence" arose in the 1950s, and the dream of creating intelligent machines can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks, according to an article from Teknisk Ukeblad .

Nevertheless, it is a challenge for many of today's managers to understand how to use artificial intelligence in a strategic way in their company.

- It is important that company managers understand what artificial intelligence is, and not least that they understand what this technology can do for them and how they can use it strategically. If not, they miss out on many opportunities, says Valeriya Naumova, general manager at Simula Consulting.

- Huge potential

Simula Consulting is a company that builds a bridge between research environments and businesses within the public and private sector, and which, among other things, works to train managers in artificial intelligence. The company is also a member of Smart Innovation Norway's business cluster Cluster for Applied AI (CAAI). It is therefore natural that Simula is among the contributors to the continuing and further education scheme offered to the cluster members at CAAI and NCE Smart Energy Markets in the autumn.

- If you are to be successful with innovation for sustainable growth, working with in-house skills development is essential. Artificial intelligence is a technology that has enormous potential for businesses in the years to come, and the beauty of this course is that the training takes place on the premises of the businesses, says Marianne Bjerkman, head of CAAI.

Gain better understanding

The training course in artificial intelligence is intended for managers and middle managers from different businesses and domains. The training takes place in September and October and is carried out with physical meetings at various locations in Eastern Norway.

After completing the training course, the participants should understand, among other things, what artificial intelligence is, what kind of problems the technology is suitable for solving, what role data plays and how to secure a good enough data base to work with artificial intelligence, what dangers arise from using data mistakes, how artificial intelligence should be implemented in the company's business model, and what kind of competence is required in the business.

Several partners

- There is a big difference between traditional technology and artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is an interactive technology that is constantly being developed and improved by adding new data. But it's not just about getting started with using artificial intelligence. The company's infrastructure, data base and employees must go through adaptation and training to get the best possible benefit from the technology, says Valeriya Naumova.

The further and continuing education course offered by the clusters of Smart Innovation Norway is supported by Viken County Municipality. This means that the offer is free for the cluster members. The aim of the county council's support scheme is increased economic value creation, strengthened competitiveness and more jobs in Viken through the realization of business development projects.

The training is developed and delivered by experienced technologists from Simula Consulting and the Institute of Energy Technology, and Digital Norway and Smart Innovation Norway contribute with their broad expertise related to training, networking and facilitation.


Questions?

Contact Marianne Jansson Bjerkman on +47 924 14 854 or by e-mail .

Contribute to a new national centre that will speed up the use of artificial intelligence

Smart Innovation Norway is one of the partners behind the new venture Nemonoor. The scheme will give businesses in production, health, smart cities and communities, as well as energy systems/carriers access to knowledge about applied artificial intelligence (AI). - Having a center like Nemonoor so close to business will make it easier for companies to test AI, says managing director Kjell Reidar Mydske. PHOTO: Anja Lillerud/Mari Kristine Buckholm .

Business gets an even shorter route to some of the country's best players in artificial intelligence when Smart Innovation Norway and seven other strong national players join forces and establish the Nemonoor initiative.

In recent years, Smart Innovation Norway has been heavily involved in artificial intelligence (AI). Among other things, the company has built up the Cluster for Applied AI, a business cluster where companies with expertise in AI can develop further and test out the technology with new partners.

Together with a number of strong players within AI, including Digital Norway, Smart Innovation Norway has now been granted a major EU application. They will form a so-called European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) which will accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in Norwegian businesses throughout the country. The center will be called Nemonoor.

- This is a prestigious assignment and a fantastic opportunity for Norwegian companies to increase their investment in artificial intelligence through access to both the best resources in the country and a close link to strong professional environments in the EU, says Eirik Andreassen, head of Nemonoor.


Provides access to knowledge

The scheme is aimed at private and public enterprises throughout the country. The purpose of the scheme is to give businesses access to the knowledge about applied artificial intelligence (AI) that has been built up on the basis of many years of research, development and innovation.

By accessing the knowledge, the test centers and the network, the aim is for them to succeed in adopting AI as an integrated part of the business.

- Having a center like Nemonoor so close to business will make it easier for companies to test this out. AI is referred to as one of the most important technological developments of our time. In order to maintain a competitive business life in the future, it is important to use artificial intelligence for the benefit of the customers, says managing director at Smart Innovation Norway, Kjell Reidar Mydske.

Initially, Nemonoor will contribute to businesses that work in production, health, smart cities and communities, as well as energy systems/carriers. Application will primarily focus on solutions based on prediction, machine vision and language models.

- We look forward to working closely with the other national and European innovation hubs to ensure that businesses get access to the very best and most relevant services they need, says Andreassen.


EDIHs in all EU member states

European Digital Innovation Hubs (pronounced "eddi") are a central instrument in the EU's new seven-year DIGITAL programme. The purpose is to ensure that private and public enterprises are equipped to adopt advanced digital technologies.

As of today, the EU has committed to the establishment of 136 EDIHs distributed among all EU member states with the aim of ensuring that the knowledge found in each individual country is made available to businesses in other EU countries.

Norway was granted two EDIHs, Nemonoor and Oceanapolis.

Nemonoor consists of DigitalNorway, Institute of Energy Technology (IFE), NORA.ai/UiO, Norway Health Tech, NTNU, SINTEF, Smart Innovation Norway and Ålesund Knowledge Park (ÅKP), and the activities will start in autumn 2022.


CONTACT PERSON:

Eirik Andreassen,
Leader Nemonoor

Email
Telephone: +47 402 00 598

Now we have become even better at contributing to innovation

Smart-Innovation-Communities
Europe does it, and Smart Innovation Norway does it. The Halden company is betting on "communities" and is strengthening its cluster activities, the Smart City initiative and its research work. By working more closely together and distributing resources better, more innovation is created.

In today's world, cooperation, community and participation are becoming increasingly important. It is felt outside Europe, and it is felt at home.

As a consequence of this societal development, Smart Innovation Norway is strengthening and expanding its investment in business clusters, smart cities and social science research. The company launches Smart Innovation Communities and prepares itself for further work by hiring more wise minds, entering into new and exciting agreements, working further


- A strength for being awarded new EU projects

- This is very exciting. There is naturally a difference in innovation by the municipalities in the Smart City work and by the private business life in our clusters, but many times there are the same drivers and the same challenges that are faced, and often the same tools that we need to use in use. Although we work in slightly different ways in the different areas, a lot is about creating security and commitment to driving innovation through sustainable thinking and making use of digitization opportunities. The Smart City work and the cluster economy are very closely linked, says manager of Smart Innovation Communities, Eli Haugerud.

Outside of Europe, there is a large and ever-increasing focus on the human aspect of research projects and innovation work. Smart Innovation Norway's research area for this is called Social Innovation. This competence is very relevant for both municipalities and cluster partners. Customer, citizen and user understanding is central to all innovation, and Social Innovation will therefore also focus on Smart City research going forward.

- We want to put the users in focus, and that is exactly what our social science researchers are doing. They look at the users and the users' needs and how innovation affects them, says Haugerud.

Each focus area will stand stronger by working even more closely together. Municipalities in Smart City work can be pilots in several social science innovation projects both in Norway and in the EU. The clusters know the business world and can contribute with the right research partners. The social science researchers contribute to the smart city projects and the cluster work with the human approach to the innovation work.

- This will be a strength for us when it comes to being awarded new and relevant EU projects, states Haugerud.


More learning between private and public actors

Over half of all value creation in Norway takes place in the public sector. One of Smart Innovation Norway's most important tasks is to help others become better at innovating, and the municipalities and public companies are important players both as customers and as clients for Norwegian business.

Creating a good interaction between the public and private sectors is absolutely essential, and the managing director of Smart Innovation Norway, Kjell Reidar Mydske, clearly sees that Smart Innovation Communities will improve and increase the innovation work of both parties.

- It is a strength of ours that we can use the expertise we have in and around the public and private sectors to mutually strengthen each other so that we both get better. Through Smart Innovation Communities, resources can work more and better crosswise, expertise is shared more, and we open up even more learning between the private and public sectors, he points out.

Mydske is satisfied that the Halden company is further developing its many years of good work within Smart City. The EU is very clear that Smart City and user participation are important, and the term "communities" describes a methodology which, among other things, is about working openly and together in order to be able to realize and commercialize research.

- We must invest in open innovation. We have to cooperate. The alternative is for the technologies to be developed and the innovation to take place in companies in China and the USA which will next come here and sell their services here. The EU will counteract that. That's why the EU is betting on "communities", and that's why we're betting on Smart Innovation Communities, says Kjell Reidar Mydske.

CONTACT:

Eli Haugerud,
Manager, Smart Innovation Communities

Email: eli.haugerud@smartinovationnorway.com

Telephone:
+47 995 44 711

FACTS:

• Smart Innovation Norway AS conducts independent, applied research and specializes in research-based business development within smart energy, smart societies and new technology.

• One of Smart Innovation Norway's main tasks is to promote innovation among public and private actors.

• Many years of experience with innovation work is behind the company's launch of Smart Innovation Communities, which is a strengthening and expansion of the company's investment in cluster operations, Smart City work and social science innovation.

• In order to be able to contribute to innovation in an even better way in both the private and public sector, Smart Innovation Norway links the professional areas even more closely together and opens up for more collaboration across the board.

• The aim is to increase the pace of innovation and to realize and commercialize even more of the innovation through Smart Innovation Communities.

Smart Innovation Norway contributes and participates in Arendal Week - come and meet us

Arendal week
Tomas Nordlander (IFE), Kjell Reidar Mydske (Smart Innovation Norway), Eli Haugerud (Smart Innovation Norway) and Petter Kvalvik (IFE) at Arendalsuka 2021 (Archive).
Arendal Week is the highlight of the summer for many players in Norwegian business, and this year the kick-off is on 15 August.

For five days, national actors within politics, society and business will meet each other for debate, and Smart Innovation Norway will contribute with both events and debaters.

This year, artificial intelligence is the common denominator for Smart Innovation Norway's contribution, and our knowledge environments Cluster for Applied AI and the Cluster for decommissioning and reuse (the DECOM cluster) are among those that will be presented during the week.

Would you like to learn more or have a chat? Do not hesitate to contact us and take part in the following events:

Tuesday 16/8 2022
CLEANING WITH ROBOTS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND 3D MODELING
  • Time: Tuesday 16/8 2022 13:20 – 14:00
  • Organizer: AI:Hub, Digin
  • Location: Barbu scene, Skytebaneveien 3

At Arendalsuka, we would like to give a brief introduction to the innovation and activities related to robots, artificial intelligence and digitization that take place in IFE's HADRON laboratory. As well as the research to be exported worldwide through the international DECOM cluster.

The results of IFE's over 60 years of world-leading research on nuclear and radioactive safety with the use of modern digitalisation, artificial intelligence, 3D modeling and robotic technology are more relevant than ever. When the reactors in Norway were closed, IFE had already been designated as the first international cooperation center for decommissioning by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The research that takes place at this center is now being extended to ensure safety and sustainability within other harmful and dangerous industries - such as the oil and gas industry. Despite major differences, there will be many areas and industries that need the research and results from the DECOM cluster for decommissioning and reuse - which was recently inaugurated by Minister of Industry Jan Christian Vestre.

Despite the abundance of hydropower in Norway, Halden has, through world-leading research on nuclear power, been an international beacon for safety in reactors and at nuclear power plants. The accident at Fukushima led to a sudden shift in society's view of nuclear power, and led to drastic changes in energy policy in many countries. Nevertheless, nuclear power is increasingly seen as one of the solutions in the future energy mix as we move away from fossil fuels. One of the more interesting technologies in this context is small modular reactors - SMR. It is also important to emphasize that the competence related to the production of nuclear energy is very important for other nuclear technologies, such as nuclear isotope production for cancer medicine and other medical uses.

IFE's expertise in nuclear research is a key factor in ensuring that Norway can make use of the nuclear power technology of the future, as well as innovations in health, materials research, education and other important areas.


Through the event, we want to:

  • Showcase some of the innovative technologies we work with - such as robotic platforms, AI, and augmented reality
  • Describe how new technology and 60 years of experience can contribute to safe and effective decommissioning in Norway
  • Explain the importance of maintaining Norway's nuclear competence.
  • Introducing our IAEA International Center and the DECOM cluster for decommissioning and reuse.


Cast:

Bjørn Axel Gran, Director of Research, IFE

István Szőke, Head of Department and Head of Research, IFE

Martin Andreasson, Sector Director of Communications, NND

Read more at arendalsuka.no


Wednesday 17/8 2022
WHAT PREVENTS NORWEGIAN COMPANIES FROM TAKING USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
  • Time: Wednesday 17/8 2022 16:00 – 17:00
  • Organiser: Digital Norway / Nemonoor, Smart Innovation Norway / NCE Smart Energy Markets
  • Location: Harald's pub

Understanding what opportunities lie in artificial intelligence is crucial for many Norwegian businesses. But are we good enough to use artificial intelligence and if so what are the barriers? How to make it easier and less risky?

Nemonoor is a newly established innovation hub, which with support from the EU's EDIH program will speed up the use of artificial intelligence in Norwegian businesses. Can this help Norwegian business to realize gains through the use of artificial intelligence?

Introduction, Digital Norway:

  • EDIH - what is it and why is it important
  • What is the digital program of the EU
  • What is Nemonoor and what can they help with?

Panel debate with politicians, business and key players.


Topic: Are we good enough to adopt artificial intelligence in Norwegian companies and if so what are the barriers?

  • Eirik Andreassen, Nemonoor/DigitalNorway (chairman)
  • Linda Hofstad Helleland, Conservative
  • Johan Edvard Grimstad, County Council for Nutrition and Dental Health, Viken County Municipality
  • Robert Ekrem, CEO, Völur
  • TBA

Cast:

Eirik Andreassen, Responsible for Transformation engine and regional partners, Digital Norway

Read more at arendalsuka.no


Thursday 18/8 2022
NORDIC AI & DATA – A COMMON STRATEGY. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER?
  • Time: Thursday 18/8 2022 08:30 – 09:45
  • Organiser: Nordic Innovation
  • Location: Nordens telt, Nordens telt

Our vision is for the Nordics to become the leading region in digitalisation, ethical AI and the responsible use of data by 2030.

  • What will it take to overcome the barriers and achieve this vision?
  • What are our strengths and what are the best practices we can learn from in the Nordic countries?

In connection with the panel debate, Nordic Innovation is launching the report "The Nordic AI & data ecosystem", which maps national initiatives, actors and programs in the five Nordic countries.


Contributor

Olivia Rekman, Innovation Adviser, Nordic Innovation

Mali Hole Skogen, Technology and Sustainability Director, ICT-Norway

Peter Sarlin, CEO, Professor, FAIA, Aaalto University,

Christine Hafskjold, Senior ICT Policy Adviser, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Department of National IT Policy and Public G

Trym Holter, Director, Norwegian Open AI Lab-NAIL

Eirik Andreassen, Director, Digital Norway

Read more at arendalsuka.no


INCREASED COMPETITIVENESS FOR SMBER THROUGH
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - HOW TO SUCCEED!
  • Time: Thursday 18/8 2022 12:30 – 13:30
  • Organizer: AI:Hub, Digin
  • Location: S/S Solrik

Artificial intelligence is often equated with large research projects and giant technology companies. It is far from the whole picture, because artificial intelligence has so much success with small and medium-sized companies.

In fact, artificial intelligence is a particularly important tool for competitiveness and the green shift, and it is then important that the SME segment keeps up. In the session, we look at how we can close the gap between researchers and companies, and how we can create success for SMEs by developing and adopting how artificial intelligence can contribute to their success in new markets and with new services.

We invite small - and medium-sized - businesses to tell about their journey to adopt artificial intelligence as a competitive advantage. We will look at how they got started, and what the biggest challenges were, and how they took advantage of the opportunities.

There will be lightning speeches that end with a debate.


Cast:

Morten Goodwin, Professor, UiA

Read more at arendalsuka.no


- We are in a market where we have good opportunities to gain attention

Newly elected head of the NCE Smart Energy Markets cluster, Mette Fritsch, enters the summer with clear thoughts about what the cluster can achieve in the months ahead. - We have put an exciting year behind us and are continuing to work hard to strengthen the cluster, she says.
NCE Smart Energy Markets cluster and Mette Fritsch
A hectic autumn and winter awaits Mette Fritsch and NCE Smart Energy Markets. Together with employees, partners and members of the Cluster for Applied AI, the smart energy cluster will work on the start-up of new projects as well as the completion of ongoing projects during the coming six months. - If we succeed in this, I am sure that all the cluster partners and our projects will get a lot of attention, she says. PHOTO: Private/Mari Kristine Buckholm

She has a long track record both with cluster partner Communicate and as an active contributor to NCE Smart Energy Markets. At the annual meeting in June, Mette Fritsch was elected acting head of the steering group, and the experienced business developer from Communicate is ready to stay on course during the period she has her hands on the helm.

- One of the most important things for us going forward is to get off to a good start with new, exciting projects and to complete the projects we have going on. We will also continue to work systematically to acquire new cluster partners and build the cluster stronger and safer, she says.

Seeking partners and synergies

NCE Smart Energy Markets has had an exciting year behind it. The financial plan had to be changed when it became known that the funds from Innovation Norway were less than budgeted, but the development of the cluster over the past year shows that the partnerships and membership are maintained, and that there is an influx of new partners as expected.

- We had to throw ourselves around to get the economy going, and we managed to do that thanks to skilled employees. In addition, the steering group has been involved in acquiring new cluster partners. I had two years as deputy chairman behind me when I agreed to be acting chairman, and an important task for the board members is to have an active role towards potential members, says Fritsch.

Active is also a keyword for cluster activities. The steering group leader is clear that one of the unique things about NCE Smart Energy Markets is that the cluster focuses on the end users. The aim is to contribute to energy-saving measures by gaining control over and managing electricity consumption.

- Smart buildings are the future, and here we can achieve great synergies with the AI cluster of Smart Innovation Norway, Cluster for Applied AI. If we succeed in this, I am sure that all the cluster partners and our projects will get a lot of attention, notes Fritsch.

AI cluster with big ambitions

The first half of 2022 ended in good cluster spirit when NCE Smart Energy Markets together with the Cluster for Applied AI invited all cluster members to annual meetings and a workshop followed by a summer gathering.

Cluster for Applied AI is still a relatively young cluster, but with great ambitions and a highly topical and important focus. Besides a number of exciting projects and activities, the conference AI+ can be highlighted as an important event for the cluster in the first half of the year.

- Here we were able to create an arena not only for cluster partners, but also for the national and international ecosystem for applied artificial intelligence, says cluster leader Marianne Jansson Bjerkman.

During the workshop session, Harald Nitavskis from cluster partner NMBU gave an academic presentation with high relevance for several of the members across domains and areas of expertise. At NMBU, work is being done on a larger project called "Smart Campus". The aim here is to facilitate more efficient use, as well as to reduce power consumption, energy consumption and environmental emissions from the buildings using smart technology.

- We would like to contribute to ensuring that the clusters can act as accelerators for the project, and to identifying current issues where several actors can collaborate, points out Bjerkman.

- It is important to meet face to face

There was also time to carry out an engaging and social collaborative task using the game app Wittario. Wittario delivers a solution to make learning and interaction more engaging and fun, and is used both for training, workshops and social purposes in several businesses today.

The day ended outdoors together with startup companies from the incubator Venture and other employees from Smart Innovation Norway.

- It was a very nice arrangement. We got to mingle with people, eat good food and be outside in the summer weather. It is important to meet face to face. Through such meetings, opportunities often open up that you don't get through lectures or websites. In general, one should become even better at arranging physical meetings and time for mingling, says Mette Fritsch.

CONTACT PERSONS:
Inge Michael Bilet

Inge Michael Bilet,
Business developer NCE Smart Energy Markets

Email
Telephone: +47 474 61 228

Marianne Bjerkman

Marianne Jansson Bjerkman,
Leads Cluster for Applied AI

Email
Telephone: +47 924 14 854

Smart Narvik is in the process of testing a digital tourism project

- The first step to create new jobs and a better offer for citizens

A large local commitment, an exciting EU project, energetic project management, magnificent nature and significant history are some of the factors that will contribute to success in Narvik through the digitization project AURORAL.

Smart Narvik
Ann-Hege Lund installs a person counter along the path down towards Rombaksbotn, which is one of the destinations in the AURORAL test period. She is temporary project manager for Narvik municipality's business development company Futurum, and is very involved in the EU project which aims to develop and test how digital platforms can make it easier to live and work in rural areas in various places in Europe. ALL PHOTOS: Private

A large local commitment, an exciting EU project, energetic project management, magnificent nature and significant history are some of the factors that will contribute to success in Narvik through the digitization project AURORAL.

This summer, hikers to Stetind, Beisfjord minnelund, Fagernesfjellet, Rombaksbotn and Tore Hunds rike in the Hålogaland region in Nordland can become part of an important database that is of great interest to Smart Narvik, Narvik municipality and Visit Narvik.

The five mentioned travel destinations have been selected as test sites in the work to digitalise, improve and increase tourism in the Norwegian districts.

- We have hung up counters and made central parts of the local history available via QR codes at the five destinations, says program leader for Smart Narvik, Mikael af Ekenstam from Smart Innovation Norway.

Has digitized local cultural history
Screenshot from the Auroral site about Stetinden

The work has been done as part of the EU project AURORAL, and three months of registrations of the number of people and the number of scans of the QR codes will hopefully provide an answer as to whether there is a basis for adaptations, improvements and new business activities related to tourism in Hålogaland.

Several parts of the local community have been consulted in the process that has led to the concretization of the project, and it has been important for the project management to connect both politicians and business closely to the processes.

- We feel that we have succeeded in this so far, says af Ekenstam.

Ann-Hege Lund from Visit Narvik is happy that a large EU project such as AURORAL can contribute to creating activity at local level. She is concerned that the municipality must take responsibility for preserving the cultural local history, and an important way to do that is to make it available to everyone.

- Spreading knowledge about history and making it available in a simple way is a form of sustainability. Digitization, in this case using QR codes, allows people to get to know the history of the five test sites. Initially, it is in the form of text and images, but we are working on further developing the project and have both video and an augmented reality as our goal, she says.

Through the use of QR codes and a smartphone, you gain access to more information about the various selected attractions in the project.
A little way along the path towards Stetinden, you get access to read the story of the first ascent in 1910.
Mikael af Ekenstam sets up a sign that gives access to more information about Rombaksbotn.
Hope to find answers about transport solutions

Smart Narvik has already received inquiries from others in Hålogaland who are interested in both people counters and QR codes. It fits well with the project's aim to expand the number of test sites during the summer. And the more data you collect, the better data base you get for further work with AURORAL.

And when it comes to autumn's planned analyzes of the summer's data collection, af Ekenstam and Lund are excited about what they find. The results can have large and positive ripple effects for Narvik society and the entire Hålogaland region.

- The data gives us information about the number of walkers and the time of the visit. The analyzes will tell us whether there is a basis for, for example, creating more business, changing current solutions or improving public transport in connection with the destinations. We are particularly interested in transport solutions. In the districts there is often a lack of public transport, and although the primary target group is visitors, we are interested in the opinions of the permanent residents as well, says the Smart Narvik program leader.

In addition to the census, the project will carry out a survey to map what people might want from transport services. Today's public transport services almost require visitors to hire a car if they want to move around the region. And even if the majority of the local population has their own car, it is possible that they would have taken a public bus or used another type of transport such as carpooling if the offer had been there.

It is hoped that statistics from AURORAL will say something about this.

CONTACT PERSON:

Mikael of Ekenstam. Photo: Mari K. Buckholm

Mikael of Ekenstam,
Senior Advisor,
Smart Cities & Society

Telephone: +47 906 300 82

Email: 

mikael.af.ekenstam@smartinovationnorway.com

From left to right: Mikael af Ekenstam (program manager Smart Narvik), Ann-Hege Lund (Visit Narvik), Lars Norman Andersen (municipal director) and Truls Torblå (municipal project manager in AURORAL).
Many advantages of a good data base

In order to avoid the data in the project being manipulated, it has been chosen, among other things, to install the same type of people counters that the Midt-Hålogaland Outdoor Council uses, which are known to be technically reliable. In addition, the counters are placed in narrow places where you have to pass one by one, and in places where you cannot stand.

Such conditions mean that Lund and af Ekenstam feel confident that the collected data will give a real picture of the summer traffic linked to the five destinations.

- A concrete example of using our data against transport services that already exist today is one of the bus services in Narvik, which has tourists as its target group. The bus company's own statistics in combination with our data can give a clear indication of whether and possibly how they should adapt their offer, explains af Ekenstam.

Another element that access to data brings with it is that you have a good numerical basis in application processes. Destinations, paths, signage and other things require maintenance, and by being able to document how many people travel in the area, you are in a stronger position in application processes against the policy apparatus.

But first, the locally produced content in the QR codes will tempt even more tourists and permanent residents out to the five popular travel destinations. And then Smart Narvik, Narvik municipality and Visit Narvik will present the results in the autumn.

- Hopefully, during the winter months, we can develop a new service or new offer that can be tested next summer. We have always been very conscious of concretizing local needs and engaging local stakeholders to give input on what we do. Hopefully we will be left with something good and sustainable on the eve of 2024, say Mikael af Ekenstam and Ann-Hege Lund.

FACTS ABOUT AURORAL IN NARVIK:

• Narvik municipality is a partner in the international project AURORAL, which is part of the research and development program Horizon 2020.

• In AURORAL, in the period 2021-2024, we will work on developing and testing how digital platforms can make it easier to live and work in rural areas in various places in Europe.

• The use of data and digital platforms has the potential to solve some of the most important issues in such areas, for example by offering solutions that can compensate for long distances and a lack of people.

• Security, privacy and users' control over their own data are key words that are central to the development of the technical solutions in the project.

• AURORAL has a total of 25 European partner organizations from 10 countries that participate in the project in various roles.

• The Hålogaland region is one of the pilot areas in the project and the six other pilot areas are located in Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Austria, Italy and Spain.

• In addition to the large project group, a local reference group has been put together in Narvik to give input to the pilot project and ensure that we do things that are relevant in view of the local needs. An example of a local need is to find out how many people visit the areas, and what needs this triggers for maintenance of paths, waste management and provision for parking.

• The reference group includes representatives from Visit Narvik, Hålogaland Council, Nordland County Council, Midtre Hålogaland Outdoor Recreation Council, Harstad Municipality as well as various tourism and transport companies. In addition, the residents are represented through Skjomen, Beisfjord and Kjøpsvik rural development groups.

On the official website and in the other channels of AURORAL you can find more information about the project:


EU project can contribute to the prevention of wear and tear on popular hiking trails in Nordland

Tore Bergbjørn - Stetind
High up on the wall at Stetind, summit guide Tore Bjergbjørn is most comfortable. He believes that the work done in the EU project AURORAL through Smart Narvik will have positive ripple effects for nature and the areas around the famous northern Norwegian mountain. PHOTO: Private


Stetind in Narvik municipality is considered one of the country's finest climbing routes, and there is great interest in reaching the top. The large amount of traffic leaves its mark on the nature in the area, and the wear and tear on the hiking trail is particularly a problem. Now there is hope that innovative solutions can contribute to improvement.

Stetind was named Norway's national mountain in 2002 and is a landmark in the north with its 1,392 meters above sea level. The mountain has since time immemorial been a characteristic sailing mark for seafarers along the Nordland coast, and when the three municipalities of Ballangen, Narvik and Tysfjorden were merged in 2019, the mountain was chosen as the motif for the new joint municipal coat of arms.

AURORAL Smart Narvik, Stetind, Tore Bergbjørn

Stetind is known for its wonderful nature and challenging climbing routes, and there are several operators in the area who guide small and large groups up and down to the top. Tore Bergbjørn is a trained summit guide and is among those who have the mountain as their second home when it is peak season for climbing and skiing.

- Stetind has everything - great scenery, fantastic views and different levels of difficulty on the routes you can travel on, he says.

- Tourism takes its toll on nature

Bergbjørn has experience from mountain activities in the Alps, USA, Peru and Patagonia in South America, but now that he and his wife live in Skjomen just south of Narvik, there are guided trips to Stetind, Kuglhorn, Eidetind, Storsteinsfjellet and other mountains around Efjord and Skjomen there are most of them throughout the year.

It is impossible to know how many hours the mountain-accustomed and Nordland resident heather spends in the mountains, but what is certain is that during all the trips he has made up and down Stetind, Bergbjørn has gained first-hand knowledge of how tourism and the visitor industry affects nature.

Wear and tear on paths and the areas in the immediate vicinity of where people travel is a growing problem.

- The need for maintenance on the path to Stetind is great in some places. Especially in those parts of the year when the snowmelt or precipitation is greatest, it is clear that the hiking trail should be upgraded. Whether it should be knocked down (kloppers are sticks and stone slabs that are laid out to get over bogs and waterways, journal note), or whether the path should be completely relaid, can certainly be debated, but measures must be initiated, believes Mountain bear.

READ ALSO: Smart Narvik is in the process of testing a digital tourism project: - First step to create new jobs and a better offer for residents

Will develop a solution for common good financing

The labor effort is the biggest cost in such a project, but material costs must also be taken into account. Through the digitization project AURORAL, it is hoped to be able to find a new solution to obtain funds for the maintenance of tourism destinations.

AURORAL Smart Narvik, Stetind, Tore Bergbjørn

Stetind is one of five destinations that Narvik municipality, together with local tourism players, has selected to be part of AURORAL, and which is now undergoing a test period. The project is part of the municipality's smart city initiative Smart Narvik. The goal in AURORAL is, among other things, to develop a digital solution for public good financing.

- In this way, we hope to finance measures that lead to better experiences and less wear and tear on nature, says program leader in Smart Narvik, Mikael af Ekenstam.

Bergbjørn believes that it should be possible to get the finances in place if you came up with a solution that made it easy for those traveling to Stetind to make a contribution.

He himself is happy to provide labor since he has many years of experience and knowledge from several different trail projects


I think tour buses will be successful

Another part of the AURORAL project is that everyone who travels in the mountains during the summer months of June, July and August will be counted digitally. It provides statistics that document the actual visit to Stetind, and which can say something about the actual burden on nature.

Tore Bergbjørn - Stetind
AURORAL Smart Narvik, Stetind, Tore Bergbjørn

The numerical basis must also be used for commercial purposes. In the rural areas, the mobility offers are almost as good as in central areas, and by counting people and obtaining data on behavioral patterns, you get a knowledge base on whether it is possible to design, among other things, new transport services.

Bergbjørn has great faith in the mobility aspect of this summer's data collection.

- Based on my own experience through Bergbjørn Fjellservice, I would assume that tour buses to and from Stetind had been a great success, he says.

The third and last part that Narvik municipality and Smart Narvik have included in the test period in AURORAL are QR codes that tell the story of the place you visit. With the help of a smartphone, anyone visiting Stetind can scan QR codes along the path and have the story told through text and images. This summer, a story about the first ascent from 1910 has been made available, and from now on several parts of the rich history of Stetind will be able to be told in this way.

- Stetind has a name far beyond the borders of Narvik and Nordland. The mountain is my livelihood and it also means a lot to me and my wife personally. I am positive about all measures that help preserve nature and the areas around the mountain, says Tore Bergbjørn.

FACTS ABOUT AURORAL IN NARVIK:

  • Narvik municipality is a partner in the international project AURORAL, which is part of the research and development program Horizon 2020.
  • In AURORAL, in the period 2021-2024, we will work on developing and testing how digital platforms can make it easier to live and work in rural areas in various places in Europe.
  • AURORAL has a total of 25 European partner organizations from 10 countries that participate in the project in various roles.
  • The Hålogaland region is one of the pilot areas in the project, and the other six pilot areas are located in Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Austria, Italy and Spain.
  • In Hålogaland, the following five destinations are more:
  • Stetind
  • Tore Hund's kingdom on Bjarkøy
  • Beisfjord memorial grove
  • Fagerensfjellet
  • Rombaksbotn
  • In addition to the large project group, a local reference group has been put together in Narvik to give input to the pilot project and ensure that we do things that are relevant in view of the local needs.
  • The reference group includes representatives from Visit Narvik, Hålogaland Council, Nordland County Council, Midtre Hålogaland Outdoor Recreation Council, Harstad Municipality as well as various tourism and transport companies. In addition, the residents are represented through Skjomen, Beisfjord and Kjøpsvik rural development groups.

CONTACT PERSON
SMART INNOVATION NORWAY:
Mikael of Ekenstam,
presenter Smart Narvik

Telephone: +47 906 300 82

Email

Top rating in European research

By Anja Lillerud and Dieter Hirdes, 16 March 2022

The Research Council of Norway recently published the top-50 list of Norwegian actors who have achieved the most EU funding during the seven-year Research and Innovation program Horizon 2020. Smart Innovation Norway is ranked number 25 on this list, and number 9 on research funding per employee. This is a great achievement for the research and innovation corporation and its 60 employees.
Smart Innovation Norway building
Smart Innovation Norway is ranked number 25 on the list of top 50 Norwegian stakeholders who have achieved the most EU funding during the seven-year program Horizon 2020. That makes the corporation a great contributor for Norway to achieve more H2020 funding than expected. PHOTO: Anja Lillerud

Now that the last allocation has been done in Horizon 2020, it shows that Norwegian actors have been assigned the total of NOK 16.2 billion during the program period from 2014 to 2020, according to a news article from the Research Council of Norway .

That means Norwegian stakeholders have landed 2.53 percent of the total funding in H2020. The goal was 2 percent.

However, breaking down the numbers, Smart Innovation Norway is ranked number nine in Norway regarding H2020 funding per employee with €153,000. The company today has 60 employees from 16 countries, and the researcher staff increased from 20 to 40 during 2020 and 2021.

The impact of EU programs is an important gateway to international markets, competence, and financing for growth. Several projects being financed through these EU programs aim to develop solutions, technology and competence which will create sustainable jobs and help Norway and Europe to achieve the UN's climate targets.

In 2021, Smart Innovation Norway elaborated 10 EU applications to the new Horizon Europe programme, of which 6 were granted, which gives an amazing success rate of 60%.

This year, Smart Innovation Norway coordinates or participates in 16 different EU projects. At the same time, 10 new national research project applications have been granted.

Smart Innovation Norway's success with EU funded research would not be possible without support from the Research Council of Norway's support schemes PES2020 and STIM-EU which are designed to increase participation of Norwegian research institutes in the EU framework programs for research, innovation, and technological development .

In 2021, a new seven-year programme, Horizon Europe, started with a total funding of €95.5 billion available. Smart Innovation Norway is aiming for top ranking in this program too, contributing to a high return rate of Norwegian funding to the Horizon Europe program.

The smart water initiative will continue in 2022

- We will look at smart solutions within the entire water and waste water industry

Project manager Anja Wingstedt is planning a new webinar series on Smart water. - We continue to fulfill our role as a knowledge center within the sector, she says.

Anja Wingstedt
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS: The smart water webinars, which are planned and led by Anja Wingstedt, fulfill the role of a meeting place for municipalities, businesses and interest organisations. Wingstedt is now hoping for input from previous participants to make this year's webinar series as relevant as possible. PHOTO: Mari Kristine Buckholm

Smart water management has great potential both in terms of costs and the environment. Smart Innovation Norway's initiative Smart water has provided many examples of this in recent years.


- It is important to have a common meeting place

Project manager Anja Wingstedt is now planning a new round of webinars, and she wants to carry them out in close collaboration with Nordic municipalities, businesses and interest organisations, such as Norsk Vann and the Water Association.

- Smart Innovation Norway continues its role as a knowledge center in this subject area, she emphasizes and points out the importance of having a common meeting place for skills development.

- Our webinars must have such a function. Participants who do not interact at other times of the year can meet under our auspices and share knowledge, make contact and tell success stories, says Wingstedt.

The webinars are also attended by representatives from the supplier and adviser side. They present new solutions, but can also map the needs in the market.

CONTACT

Anja Wingstedt
Project manager Smart water
+47 458 82 878
Send email
Read more on the Smart water website

Anja Wingstedt
Trying to tailor the content

In previous years, the annual digital gatherings have mostly been about smart water meters. In 2022, Wingstedt wants to take the investment a level further and focus on other smart solutions within the entire water and waste water industry.

- We therefore want input from previous participants about themes, projects and fields of expertise for smart solutions that they would like to hear more about during the upcoming webinars, says the project manager.

A questionnaire has been drawn up which Wingstedt hopes the actors will take the time to answer so that she can get an overview of what the needs and wishes of the municipalities, business and interest organizations are.

- I hope many take the opportunity to be involved and set the agenda, says Anja Wingstedt.

The webinars in 2022 are planned for June and December.

Feedback can be given directly to anja.wingstedt@smartinnovationnorway.com or by filling in our questionnaire below no later than Sunday 27 March