[en] The network companies in the Norwegian electricity industry now have to establish a large-scale network management, a concept essentially characterized by (1) broader focus (Broad Band, Multi Utility,...) and (2) bigger units with large networks and more customers. Research done by SINTEF Energy Research shows so far that the approaches within large-scale network management may be structured according to three main challenges: centralization, decentralization and out sourcing. The article is part of a planned series

[en] The climate challenges have revived nuclear power, and in Europe nuclear energy is back on the agenda. In the battle against global warming, all CO₂-free energy forms are reviewed with fresh eyes (ml)

[en] Norwegian technologists are examining the possibilities for using thorium in ordinary nuclear plants. REC-founder Alf Bjoerseth is a strong believer and front runner in this work. He has started up a new company, Thor Energy, aiming at producing thorium and facilitating the establishment of thorium-based nuclear plants in Norway. By using existing technology, he estimates a thorium power plant can be ready in 10 years after a concession has been granted. The Norwegian nuclear legislation will have to be changed in order for this to become reality. The Government is conducting an investigation on the use of thorium that will be ready by the end of 2007 (ml)

[en] The article discusses various climate models, interpretations and observations. Some environmental, political and historical aspects are mentioned

[en] Gothenburg, Sweden, is internationally known for its district heating system. The development began in the 1950s and still proceeds at a high pace. The concentration is now on single-family houses. Two thirds of the district heating in Gothenburg comes from industrial waste heat, combined power and heating, incineration of waste and discharge systems. Most of the last third comes from natural gas that is used in the heat stations. Oil accounts for two or three per cent

[en] Sweden refuses to divide the country into two or three price regions as has been proposed as a means of achieving a more well-functioning electricity market among the Nordic countries. There is broad support in Denmark, Finland and Norway for the idea that the Nordic countries should be divided into ten (at most) price regions. The Swedish attitude creates uncertainty about the progress of further Nordic integration. The Swedish opposition is based on considerations of trade, competition, increased risk and uncertainty and hence increased costs for the customers. According to the Danish and Norwegian points of view, the Swedes are moving the handling of capacity limitations to national frontiers

[en] There is strong will to introduce natural gas as an energy carrier in Norway. But doing it requires the development of an efficient transport system, which is so far nonexistent. The investment costs are high and presupposes that economical framework conditions are created that ensure profitable operation. Some concern has been expressed about the requirement of the European gas directive. There is, however, flexibility built into the directive that gives room for market arrangements and market behaviour that to a large extent protect the legitimate interests of the owners of the infrastructure. Thus the directive should probably not be seen as a definitive hindrance to the realization of downstream gas infrastructure in Norway. The essential idea of the gas directive is the Third Part Access (TPA), which implies that gas companies and privileged (major) customers are entitled to use pipelines and other infrastructure in a non-discriminating way

[en] Referring to a Swedish system of ''Electricity certificate for the promotion of renewable energy sources'', the author proposes that a Nordic certificate market should be established. No other country in Europe has a higher wind power potential than Norway, about 450 TWh with an average wind speed of more than 8 m/s. About 20 TWh of hydroelectric energy can be provided by modernising existing power stations and building small-scale new ones. The important features of a certificate system are: (1) It applies to all new renewable capacity, (2) The owners of new renewable power stations are entitled to issue certificates, (3) Actors in the market are obliged to by a quota of certificates, (4) The quota can be increased gradually to achieve the defined goal, (5) The certificate system provides a more cost-effective and environmental-effective production of renewable energy compared with the present support schemes and (6) The public budgets are exempt from annual grants to stimulate increased production

[en] Several Norwegian land fills have established systems for utilisation of the energy from the gases extracted from the waste. The energy is used to produce electricity and heating. This is becoming more profitable as the energy price increases. The gas contains about 50 percent methane and its greenhouse effect is 20 times that of carbon dioxide. Thus, using it also reduces the greenhouse effect

[en] Shortage of electric power may become a serious problem for Sweden within a short time. Trade union leaders disagree with the planned discontinuation of the nuclear energy industry. The authorities are asked to retain it or even develop it further. The four great rivers that are not yet developed for hydroelectricity are protected. Alternative renewable energy sources may contribute only marginally. Gas is the only real alternative to nuclear energy