Following up the strategy

The Energi21 board proposes the following measures to implement the strategy’s recommendations:

1. 
   Further develop a dynamic, unified framework of funding  instruments to promote rapid innovation and realisation of projects.
2. 
   Increase the budget for research and innovation projects.
   
   
3. Strengthen research and demonstration projects for commercialisation of research results.
4. 
   Facilitate Norwegian participation in international research and demonstration projects.
5. 
   Further develop the PILOT-E scheme for enhanced supplier development.
6. 
   Strengthen the funding instruments promoting innovation and renewal in the energy sector.
7. 
   Ensure strategic cooperation between the ministries’ industry-specific “21” strategy processes.
8. 
   Establish innovative recruitment methods to ensure
   access to trained personnel and the necessary expertise.

Building tomorrow’s climate-friendly energy and transport system will require considerable investment in research, innovation and increased commercialisation to promote development of future products and services.

Norway has a well-established, coordinated research and innovation system that encompasses the entire innovation chain. But looking ahead, there will be a need for even more dynamic instruments and incentives to promote more rapid knowledge-building, more efficient implementation of research activities, faster technology development and accelerated implementation of new technology and solutions in the market.

Activities carried out in Norway’s research and innovation system should reflect the key areas set out in the Energi21 strategy. This applies to instruments used by the Research Council of Norway, Gassnova, Enova, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and Innovation
Norway.

Climate-friendly energy systems of the future will require innovative solutions developed through multidisciplinary national and international cooperation within research, innovation and education.

The Energi21 board sees international research cooperation as a crucial part of successful knowledge and technology development for tomorrow’s energy systems.

Norwegian presence in international research and innovation arenas is of prime importance for gaining a prominent position, raising the quality of research groups, contributing internationally recognised knowledge to the business sector, and enabling Norwegian research to be implemented
in a European and international perspective. 

Internationally recognised expertise is a key to future competitive products,
services and solutions. For Norwegian research groups it is therefore important to take their knowledge wherever knowledge sharing and knowledge production is taking place, and to gain shared access to major international networks and resources.

European cooperation is increasingly important to Norwegian research. Since 1994 Norway has participated in and benefited greatly from the EU framework programmes for research, and it is an active participant in several initiatives under the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan). 

• Communication and dialogue with stakeholders.
   
• Present and communicate Energi21's strategic message.
  
  
• Conduct strategic analysis  within selected topics, such as "Research-based business development" and "Digitization of the energy systems".
  
  
• Monitor and capture trends that are important for the development of the energy system of the future.