For the second time in three years, the energy cluster of Smart Innovation Norway has been certified at the highest national level. After a full-day audit by the European Cluster Analysis Secretariat, NCE Smart Energy Markets received the gold stamp.
- "The award is proof that we work with high intensity and quality in our work. We are proud of that," says recently appointed cluster leader Inge Michael Bilet.
Not many days ago, the cluster team received the news that the Norwegian Centre of Expertise Smart Energy Markets (NCE Smart Energy Markets) cluster made it through the narrowest eye of the needle to the auditors of the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA).
Of the 38 Norwegian clusters affiliated with Innovation Norway's cluster programme, nine have valid gold certification at the time of writing this article in early December.
Assessed on over 40 points
Gold certification is a prestigious seal of approval, and NCE Smart Energy Markets has undergone an extensive process leading up to ESCA's decision.
- "We have been assessed on over 40 points, including the way we work, our systems, follow-up of partners, cluster activities, marketing, financial management, and the composition of companies in the cluster," says Bilet.
The findings of ESCA staff form the basis for the quality label given to the cluster.
In Norway, there are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Bronze certification is the simplest and involves a self-assessment by the cluster based on given assessment criteria. Silver certification is done by ESCA representatives and is awarded to those that do not make it to the top.
The very best are awarded the title "Cluster Management Excellence" and receive gold certification.
Careful auditing throughout a whole day
The first Gold Label was awarded to NCE Smart Energy Markets already in 2019. Therefore, the team knew in advance that the cluster is of high quality.
- Read about the 2019 certification: NCE Smart Energy Markets recognised as GOLD cluster
Nevertheless, it was natural to request a new audit and recertify the cluster when the opportunity arose, precisely to document the level and get guidance for further improvements.
The audit was carried out during a full working day during which one national and one international expert visited the cluster's offices in Halden and interviewed key people, reviewed procedures and documentation and carried out other investigations to get as good an overview as possible of how the cluster operates.
The experts then carried out their assessments and analysis before reaching their conclusions.
The preparation and implementation of the audit has been a team effort and good cooperation between Victoria Næss Jensen, Eli Haugerud and Inge Michael Bilet.
Operating at the highest level in Norway
There have been some organisational and operational changes since certification in 2019. The most important change has been that the cluster was categorised as a "mature cluster" after having been through the ten-year cluster programme of Innovation Norway.
A mature cluster must be able to stand financially on its own feet, and operating support from Innovation Norway will cease. This means, among other things, that in recent years the cluster has only received project support.
Eli Haugerud has been the cluster leader for the past two years, and in late autumn 2022, Inge Michael Bilet took over the role as cluster leader of the NCE Smart Energy Markets energy cluster.
- "We wanted this audit to ensure that we are running the cluster in the best possible way and at the highest level in Norway. We do, and we are proud of that," says Inge Michael Bilet.