Norway is one of the few lucky countries that are blessed with easily accessible and large amounts of clean hydroelectric power. Most of the total electric power consumption is supplied from waterfall turbines. In addition, Norway is one of the largest oil and natural gas exporting countries in the world. This large excess of energy sources does not really encourage research in renewable energy. Since the early foundation of Norsk Hydro in 1905, hydrogen has been produced in large amounts in connection with fertilizer production. The in-expensive electric power has lead to the development of highly efficient water electrolysis technology. Norsk Hydro is one of the leading companies in the world and has developed one of the first commercial hydrogen filling stations in co-operation with Shell Hydrogen. Over the years, Norwegian companies have gained a lot of experience in production, storge and transport of natural gas and hydrogen.

The largest oil company in Norway, Statoil, was one of the early developers of the solid oxide fuel cell in the 1980's. Together with Prototech (Bergen), they investigated the possibilities of using natural gas in high-temperature SOFC. After a quiet period, Statoil has again intensified this activity. Together with the other large power-based companies, like Norsk Hydro, Statkraft, Norske Shell and AkerKværner, they are the leaders of fuel cell development in Norway. The vision is a renewable and secure power supply based on natural gas and hydrogen. Amongst universities and research centres, it is mainly the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Oslo (UiO), State College of Agder (HiA), Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and SINTEF which perform project-based research for the industry or the Norwegian Research Counsil (NFR). Examples of planned and already ongoing projects include fuel cells as auxiliary power units on ships, power supply on off-shore platforms, stationary power plants and completely off-grid power supply of an island.

Hydrogen filling station in Reykjavik, developed by Shell Hydrogen and Norsk Hydro Electrolysers.

What are the possibilities for Norway in the area of fuel cells and hydrogen? We have one of the largest natural gas resources in the world, from which the most cost-effective hydrogen can be produced. In addition, our enormous amounts of clean power (hydroelectricity, wind, wave i.e.) makes it possible to produce the most environmentally friendly hydrogen via water electrolysis. This, combined with significant knowledge on gas handling, equips Norway with the potential to be one of the key players in developing the hydrogen and fuel cell society.

To the top

Copyright © 2004-2006 Fuel Cell Norway ANS