Hydrogen in Sogn – from power
surplus to value chain?

Day 0 – Tuesday 09.09.2025

From the airport in Sogndal, there is a transfer leaving when all the baggage from the flight is delivered.

19:30 The project group from Sogndal will welcome you at Vågal, Quality Hotel Sogndal. Guests arriving before 10pm will be served a light dinner.

Day 1 – Wednesday 10.09.2025

08:30 Short walk along the river to Campus Sogndal, the hosts will guide you from Quality Hotel Sogndal to Campus Sogndal.

09:00 From Knowledge to Policy: How Research and Education Fuel the Green Transition in Sogn
Sogn offers a unique foundation for future energy systems: abundant renewable hydropower, existing infrastructure, and regional collaboration between academia, research and industry. In line with the goals of the Green HYDRA project, we are exploring how local strengths can contribute to increased system flexibility and the development of green hydrogen solutions.

Despite decades of innovation in hydropower, we still face challenges in balancing supply and demand. Hydrogen could be part of the answer – but to move forward, we need deeper knowledge, stronger competence, and a shared understanding of the opportunities.

Welcome to Sogn
Frode Bøthun, deputy mayor, Municipality of Sogndal

Welcome to Campus Sogndal
Gunnar Yttri, rector, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

Through education of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD candidates, as well as practice-oriented and applied research, HVL contributes to innovation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable growth in Western Norway and beyond.

In Sogn we use GreenHydra as a framework for education and innovation. By linking education with real challenges in the hydrogen transition, they connect learning, innovation, and regional development.

Kristin Myhra Sæterdal, Assistant Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

The story of hydropower in Sogn – a cornerstone of Norway’s renewable energy success.

With decades of surplus production and constant innovation, Sognekraft has pushed the limits of what hydropower can deliver. But the demand for flexibility keeps growing – and hydropower alone can’t solve the puzzle. That’s why hydrogen is on the agenda. As a flexible energy carrier, it opens up new opportunities to store, balance, and export clean energy – and take Sogn’s energy system to the next level.

Erlend Bårgard, Executive director of Production at Sognekraft

Hub for Ocean shares how they're working to build the hydrogen value chain from the ground up – with Florø as a key hub.
Stein Kvalsund, CEO, Hub for Ocean

As part of Ocean Hyway Cluster, they connect maritime players, technology developers, and policymakers to accelerate the shift to hydrogen and ammonia. Their mission? To turn potential into projects – by breaking down barriers, driving collaboration, and making West Norway a powerhouse for green maritime fuel. With strong local engagement and national reach, they’re laying the foundation for a complete hydrogen ecosystem in Florø – from production to application.

Walk to the innovation building

10:20 Campus Sogndal, an engine for innovation, research and development in Sogn

In this session, we invite you to explore the unique ecosystem at Campus Sogndal – where academia, research, business, and the public support system work side by side.

Welcome to the innovation building, the innovation ecosystem at campus
Line Bjelde, CEO, Sogn Næring

The regional masterplan, our policy instrument
Joakim Systaddal, Municipality of Sogndal

Collaboration across sectors makes Campus Sogndal a powerful arena for innovation, talent development, and green transformation
Hans Jacob Walnum, Senior Researcher at the Western Norway Research Institute.

After the presentations, we will divide the group in two:

Tour of Campus Sogndal:
Explore and experience the vibrant environment of students, local businesses, research center and public sector.

Let’s make some hydrogen!
Join Associate Professor, Dejene Assefa Hagos, from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and explore the Energy Lab at Campus Sogndal – where we will take part in producing hydrogen and testing technology hands-on.

Each group gets to take part of both sessions.

Walk back to the University building

11:50

Research on hydrogen at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HyValue).
HyValue – is a national research centre focused on building sustainable value chains for hydrogen and ammonia. The centre brings together academia, industry and public actors to drive forward knowledge, innovation and safe implementation of hydrogen solutions in line with the goals of Green Hydra.

Jonathan Økland Torstensen, Associate Professor, Department of mechanical engineering and maritime studies, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences together with colleagues and students

Education of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD candidates at HVL

Negar Safara Nosar, PhD student in Responsible Innovation and Regional Development, presents her work on mechanisms shaping the transition of small and medium-sized ports to energy hubs.

Bachelor in Renewable Energy – Poster session presenting bachelor projects

Kristin Myhra Sæterdal, Assistant Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

13:15 Bus to Ølmheim Cidergarden
Welcome and introduction from the owners oft the cidergarden. Then Frank Øvstetun, CEO of Sitep will share some reflections from the day, and describe the industrial transition toward a hydrogen-based society, including key technologies, infrastructure development and offtake.

Sitep AS is a non-profit organization located in Øvre Årdal. It operates at the intersection of industry and research, focusing on fostering innovation through collaboration between academia and the business sector.

Then we will have a light lunch, cidertasting while continuing to share reflections in the group and with the speakers.

15:00

Group 1: Visit to Leikanger Hydroelectric Power Station
It has a capacity of 77 MW and began commercial operations in 2020. This run-of-river power plant generates approximately 208 GWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to the region's renewable energy supply. Due to safety regulations, only 15 people are allowed inside the power plant.

Group 2: Visit to Baldervoll winery is located in Leikanger by the Sognefjord. They cultivate various grape varieties, primarily focusing on white wine production. They offer vineyard tours where visitors can learn about the history of the farm and enjoy tastings of their locally produced wines. The owner, Leif Inge Husabø, is also the director of Sustainability at Innovation Norway.

17:30 Bus to Sogndal

19:30 Dinner at Dampskipskaien

Day 2 – Thursday 11.09.2025

08:15 Bus from Quality Hotel Sogndal to Kaupanger, Vitemeir

08:30

Welcome to Kaupanger and Vitemeir

The story of how a science center became reality in a small region through collaboration and mutual understanding of shared needs.

Gry Høyheim, CEO ViteMeir
-Tor Arne Ness, CEO Toyota Sogn

A tour through the energy exhibition

John Kroken, Head of Network Management Section, Sygnir/Sognekraft
Kristin Myhra Sæterdal, Assistant Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

The story of creating Årdal Teknologipark as a hub of knowledge, competence, and innovation in a small industrial society

Geir Hansen, CEO Årdal Utvikling

The story of Sogn BioHub and how this project connects Sogn to the wider Grøn Region Vestland network that drives circular value chains and sustainable industry

Karoline Myklebust, Business developer Sogn Næring

Workshop - Hydrogen – its role in a sustainable circular society

11:15 Identifying actions for scaling up green hydrogen – workshop with Hanze University.
At Donegal, partners discussed market system barriers for scaling up green hydrogen in their regions. This workshop will focus on actions for clearing these barriers, including which stakeholder to take the lead on these and what policy instruments to be used for that.

11:30 Steering committee meeting

12:00 Lunch, with a tour of the roof top garden

13:00 Enjoying the exhibitions and the Sogefjord-movie at Vitemeir

13:55 Bus to Sogndal Airport

14:30 Bus to Sogndal