NTNU Energy Transition Podcast

• #86 The Grid Gets Honest: Who Gets Access, and What Needs to Change (with Audhild Kvam, Tensio)

  In this on-site episode from grid operator Tensio’s control centre in Stjørdal, we sit down with CEO Audhild Kvam to unpack one of the green transition’s biggest chokepoints: limited grid capacity.Together we explore:How smarter planning and flexible consumption can unlock idle capacity for batteries, hydrogen and heavy transportWhat it takes to connect new industry when 100+ projects are already in the queueThe policy tweaks and market signals that could turn today’s “capacity crunch” into tomorrow’s competitive edge for NorwayWhether you’re an energy nerd, a policymaker, or just curious why electrification keeps hitting the same bottleneck, this conversation lights the way forward.

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• #85 When the Lights Go Out: Lessons from the Iberian Blackout (with Kjetil Uhlen, NTNU IEL)

  On 28 April, the entire Iberian Peninsula plunged into darkness in under 30 seconds. How can a modern, interconnected grid fail so spectacularly—and what does it teach the rest of Europe?I sat down with Kjetil Obstfelder Uhlen—Professor at NTNU's Department of Electric Energy and special adviser to Statnett—to reconstruct the split-second cascade that tripped lines from France to Morocco, sent frequency crashing below 50 Hz, and left millions without power.Together we talk about:Why a single imbalance spiralled into a continent-wide blackoutThe hard limits of interconnection, inertia and protection schemesWhether renewables were really to blame—or just convenient scapegoatsHow Norway’s hydro-heavy grid would cope with a similar shockConcrete fixes: synthetic inertia, smarter system-protection, and cross-border coordination

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• #84 Back to Black? Why Oil Majors Seem to Be Retreating From Renewables (with Michael Liebreich, Bloomberg New Energy Finance))

  In Episode 84, clean‑energy luminary Michael Liebreich joins the show to unpack why oil giants like Shell and BP appear to be throttling back on renewables just as the climate crisis intensifies. Drawing on decades in clean-tech finance and heavy-transport electrification, Liebreich argues that the pivot is less a U-turn than a short-term cash grab—and that the physics and economics of “not burning stuff” will ultimately win.Expect candid takes on capital markets, policy headwinds, and where the smartest money is flowing now, all delivered with Liebreich’s trademark data-driven bluntness.

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• #83 Will Norway run into an electricity shortage? (with Ane Torvanger Brunvoll, NVE)

  Norway’s electricity system is at a crossroads. With rising consumption, stable production, and an evolving energy mix, the big question is: will we have enough power in the years ahead?In this episode, we sit down with Ane Torvanger Brunvoll, Head of the Energy System Section at NVE (Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat), to break down the state of Norway’s electricity supply. We’ll explore how the system has evolved, the trends shaping its future, and whether concerns about an energy deficit are justified.What role will wind and solar play? How will industries like data centers and e-fuel production impact demand? And what actions can we take to ensure a stable and resilient grid?Join us for a deep dive into the future of Norway’s electricity system.

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• #82 Equinor’s M&A Strategy: Can Oil and Renewables Coexist? (with Per Arne Solend, Equinor)

  In this episode, we examine Equinor’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy and explore a key question: Can oil and renewables coexist within the company and in Norway’s broader energy landscape? Per Arne Solend, VP of M&A and Insights at Equinor, joins us. He shares his perspective on how the company navigates fossil fuels and renewables acquisitions. We discuss the rationale behind Equinor’s recent investments, the role of M&A in the energy transition, and how the company balances its legacy oil and gas operations with its push into offshore wind, batteries, and emerging low-carbon technologies. Co-hosting this episode is Martina Fantini, a PhD researcher at NTNU specializing in sustainable aviation. Tune in to learn how Equinor makes strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving energy landscape—and what the future might hold for oil, gas, and renewables in a transitioning world.

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