10 years of EnergyNest

Reducing waste and being resource efficient is a principle everyone can in some way identify with. Either to do less harm to the environment or to save money. Reducing the waste of energy was a central aim when Prof. Pål Bergan founded EnergyNest ten years ago. In 2011, our Thermal Battery technology was seen as an interesting but niche technology. Today, we are one of the few companies globally that offer a solution to tackle the hardest emissions: those arising from industrial heat. Industrial steam alone, which represents only one form of industrial heat, accounts for almost 10% of global final energy consumption, and most of that steam is produced from burning fossil fuels. Our Thermal Batteries enables the industry to rather produce this steam from renewable electricity, or waste heat, making industrial decarbonization a reality today, and not just a vision for the future.

After almost a decade of development, we are now starting to see our technology deployed at scale. Last year, we progressed with some remarkable lighthouse projects - particularly in industries where heat plays a major role. In 2020, we delivered our first commercial Thermal Battery to Italian energy company Eni, for an industrial solar thermal project in Sicily, helping Eni to increase the flexibility of renewable energy sources and using this renewable energy in a refinery. Since spring last year, we have been developing a “steam-on-demand” project with Yara, one of the world’s largest fertilizer manufacturers, for a project in Norway. EnergyNest’s 10th year was - despite the COVID-19 challenges - our most successful year, with two projects in execution and several other projects in various stages of development. The start of a powerful cooperation with Siemens Energy was one of my personal highlights of 2020 and a huge testament to our 14-person strong team.

Over the last ten years, we’ve grown our footprint in Europe. As a company, we are proud to be a truly pan-European setup. With our HQ in Oslo, project development hub in Hamburg and engineering office in Spain, we are covering all bases. Each of our offices is testament to the enormous potential for decarbonization across Europe, and beyond. The exponential growth in renewable energy, an ever-increasing focus on carbon emissions reduction, and growing attention towards the role of energy intensive industry, are three major reasons why EnergyNest will continue to grow in 2021. 

We believe partnerships are key to delivering a net zero future. To collectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with a 1.5°C scenario of global warming, we need ever further investment in green technologies and low carbon solutions. Without partnerships, EnergyNest would not be at the stage it is today. In close cooperation with HeidelbergCement, we developed our HEATCRETE®, the material that allows low-cost energy storage. With our engineering- and EPC partner TSK we can deliver turn-key system solutions for waste heat recovery or industrial electrification, and our technology partner AC Boilers allows us to integrate Thermal Battery solutions in any type of steam system. Last but not least the long-term partnership we entered with Siemens Energy has already spawned a major project opportunity; delivering dispatchable waste-to-energy power plant solutions to a large Japanese customer. And we look forward to many more fruitful partnerships in 2021.

Ten years from inception to full commercial readiness is not a long period of time for a B2B tech-company in the energy industry. For everyone working on the technology, it can feel much longer. Winning meaningful and prestigious awards for our work from the EU Commission, Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Research Council has helped us to stay purpose-driven and focused along the way. Last but not least, we are now considered one of the top 3 global innovations for greenhouse gas emissions reduction by Mission Innovation with annual (!) contribution potential of up to 100 million tons savings in CO2 emissions. This is a significant recognition and deserves to be celebrated.

Our main aim is to decarbonize industry. I’m really excited about EnergyNest’s potential for rapid growth. Breweries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, concrete, brick makers, other building manufacturers — they all operate with high-temperature heat. As we enter our next decade, I’m confident that together with many more partners - from all sectors – we will materialize the power of this technology and make our way to net zero! #energynest10