12 December 2022

Cold and nuclear maintenance cause surge in electricity prices

Much of the Nordics froze last week, with temperatures below -10°C in many places. On 11 December, the price of electricity on the Nordpool power exchange in eastern Norway, southern Norway and western Norway was NOK 3.37 per kWh. In northern Norway, it was NOK 1.50. On 12 December, the average price in northern Norway reached a record high of NOK 2.53 per kWh. According to NTB, the highest price landed at NOK 4.14. In Sweden, prices were even higher, and in the south averaged SEK 4.79 per kWh. Meteorologists say that the cold weather will continue into next week and that the wind will be weak, which means that electricity prices will remain high and could rise further in the coming days.

NRK, Di

Significant increase in patents for PtX technology

Analysis from the Danish Institute of Technology shows that there has been a significant increase in patents for the practical use of the new green energy technology Power-to-X, which converts green electricity from wind turbines and solar cells into green fuels such as hydrogen, jet fuel, methanol, e-diesel and more. The analysis covers more than 30,000 currently important patents in the field. According to the analysis, private western companies dominate the innovation and commercialisation of new green energy technologies in PtX. At the same time, however, the number of new patents in China is rising sharply. Here, it is the research institutes that are behind the technological developments.

Scm.dk

Plug to build UK's first onshore power plant for offshore vessels

Eviny's subsidiary Plug will build onshore power abroad for the first time. The partnership will be ready within a year in the port city of Montrose, an hour's drive south of Aberdeen, and Plug, together with the local port of Montrose, will be responsible for an investment of NOK 12 million, which will open the door to greener shipping in the UK. The Scottish Minister for Net Zero Emissions, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson, praised the partnership. He said the partnership between Plug and the Port of Montrose is a major initiative that will help the shipping industry, as well as the oil, gas and offshore wind industries, to reduce emissions from their work.

NTB

Energy company St1 buys approximately 14% of Scandinavian Biogas

The energy company St1 has in recent days purchased approximately 14% of the shares of Scandinavian Biogas, making it the second largest owner through this acquisition. St1 has 1,300 St1 and Shell petrol stations in Finland, Sweden and Norway.

Di

What we're reading

• Geoengineering nears decision point as global warming worsens (Axios)
• Solar power expected to surpass coal in 5 years, IEA says (Financial Times)
• Electric car costs draw level with petrol and diesel (Financial Times)
• Europe must boost grid to cope with renewable power surge, warns Eon chief (Financial Times)

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