Seven industry giants open the door to new energy technologies

The aim is to help more promising technologies find their way to market.

Text by Karianne Skjæveland, Communication Manager, Energy Transition Norway.

Since 2018, Energy Transition Norway’s (ETN) Technical Committee for Operators (TK) has helped turn more than 20 promising ideas for emissions-reducing energy technologies into collaborative innovation projects.

Now, they are expanding this successful model to include a dedicated committee for major energy suppliers (TK-L).

Both committees will serve the entire Energy Cluster Norway network of more than 350 member companies, creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration across the Norwegian energy industry.

The aim is to help more promising technologies find their way to market. Because a promising energy technology idea is not necessarily enough.

For a new solution to succeed, it must address a genuine industry need – and someone must be willing to invest in its development.

This is precisely what ETN has been working systematically to achieve through its Technical Committee for operators since the cluster’s establishment in 2018.

Every quarter, representatives from the largest energy operators have come together to jointly evaluate innovation proposals submitted by the cluster’s member companies.

The model is straightforward: Before the cluster dedicates administrative and financial resources to developing a technology project, industry representatives assess whether the proposed solution addresses a real need at home – and whether they are interested in helping bring the technology to life.

Energy Transition Norway’s cluster administration acts as a screening mechanism, reviewing proposals before they are presented to the committee.

The result is more than 20 collaborative innovation projects, each involving at least one operator as a project partner and early-stage funding contributor.

An unmet need

Over the years, the cluster has also received numerous promising project proposals that have been rejected by the committee.

The reason? They are often considered too immature for the operators to get involved, as some startups and SMEs may lack execution capacity.

Margie Maria Gonzalez, Innovation Advisor in Energy Transition Norway, has been working to establish the new committee since 2025.

– What we have seen is that certain project proposals have a good potential by really tackling an industrial need - but that the idea owner or technology company has been too small to execute and deliver on a R&D project, Innovation Adviser in Energy Transition Norway, Margie Maria Gonzalez, explains.

Several cluster members are developing solutions to improve the reliability of offshore cable systems, particularly in offshore wind projects, where cable failures and unplanned maintenance can lead to substantial costs, she mentions as an example.

– While operators have recognised the potential of some of these proposals, they have also highlighted the need for closer collaboration with established energy suppliers to support further technology development and commercial deployment.

Moreover, operators often encourage companies presenting their technology proposals to engage directly with established suppliers, who may be better suited to act as end users or commercial partners in bringing their solutions to market.

– That’s why we believe that establishing a neutral platform for the facilitation of partnerships with larger suppliers could bring these technologies to market for the benefit of all actors involved.

A win-win solution for energy operators, suppliers and the smaller technology companies alike.

A Technical Committee for Major Energy Suppliers

Building on the model of ETN's existing operators’ committee, the Technical Committee for Major Energy Suppliers (TK-L), will serve as a neutral collaboration platform where major suppliers can identify, evaluate and initiate innovation projects that contribute to the energy transition and energy security.

Seven companies have already confirmed their participation: Siemens Energy, Worley Rosenberg, Moreld Apply, Aarbakke Innovation, Baker Hughes, ASCO and Halliburton.

Additional companies are expected to join ahead of the official launch at Energy Cluster Norway's National Cluster Gathering in Oslo on 18 November.

Discussions are currently underway with potential members from the Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger regions, reflecting the committee's ambition to bring together leading suppliers from across Norway.

Sign up for the national cluster gathering on November 18th.

How it works

If a project proposal is approved by any of the TK-L members, the pitching company can expect economic and technical commitment from the supplier.

– However, the scope and type of partnership that is secured will be a one on one agreement negotiated between the pitching company and the TK-L member. This is how project engagement is secured in the committee for the operators, and TK-L will continue to work under that same system, Margie explains.

Our goal with both technical committees is to facilitate a systematic innovation arena where all energy actors in Norway can meet to develop competitive technologies that accelerate the energy transition and strengthen the region's energy security.

All actors involved, no matter their size, are important to make that happen.