“If we can extend the operational lifetime of oil rigs, wind turbines, and other highly valuable offshore assets, it would have tremendous financial and environmental benefits,” says Geir Grasmo, Professor at the University of Agder.

The university, GCE NODE and GCE NODE companies are in the race for a Center for Research-based Innovation (SFI) designed to expand the lifetime of offshore assets by condition-based control and maintenance.

An application for the NOK 250 million center was recently submitted. Winners will be announced in December.

The potential SFI LEO – Life-Extensions of Offshore Assets – has 22 consortium partners. Among them are GCE NODE and GCE NODE participants HMH, SLB, Nekkar/Techano, Star Information Systems, Equinor, and Å Energi. The center will be headed by the Director of Top Research Center, Professor Kjell G. Robbersmyr at the University of Agder in Grimstad. Other research partners include NORCE, IFE, UiS, NTNU, TU-Delft and University of Aberdeen.

“The output from SFI LEO will lead to more efficient asset management of large and complex offshore units, which again will lead to increased system uptime, lower maintenance cost, and longer life. This will be relevant for offshore wind, oil and gas, aquaculture, and other offshore and maritime industries,” says Jan Helge Viste, Transition Manager at GCE NODE.

Some of the world’s most costly equipment and installations are offshore, many in harsh offshore conditions, which reduces the expected lifetime. Bearing in mind that the initial investment often amounts to billions, the project’s potential for value creation is substantial. Current annual investments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf amount to approximately NOK 275 billion.

“Extending the operational lifetime of current and new installations is very important. SFI LEO will address some key issues for the offshore industries, such as asset lifecycle economy, asset integrity management, operation equipment efficiency, and remaining useful life optimization.,” says Grasmo.

The impact of research and development efforts is tremendous. SFI Offshore Mechatronics – which closed two years ago – produced scientific results that improved the competitiveness of the companies that took part.

The center also produced 10 PhDs, increasing the width and depth of competence in and around offshore industries. A new SFI represents a significant addition to furthering the results and success from the previous SFI.

“The application was submitted on 4 June. Based on our vision and our strong consortium, we are optimistic. The impact of this potential research center could prove very valuable for Norway given that we have invested – and keep investing – so much in offshore assets,” says Grasmo.

THE ROAD TO AN SFI
A field of 96 consortiums is narrowed down. In December, 8 winners are to be announced.

  • Pre-qualification (Sept. 2024): 96
  • Invited to apply (June 2025): 30
  • Interviewed by committee (Sept. 2025): 16
  • Winners announced (Dec. 2025): 8

Greenstat is not only building a hydrogen factory. They are also contributing to building a hydrogen market.

“We are contributing to new investments in hydrogen. When potential customers realize that there will be hydrogen available in Kristiansand by the end of 2026 or early in 2027, it increases the chances for them to come down from their fences.” says Torstein Thorsen Ekern, Head of Business Development at Greenstat.

He stands on the newly prepared ground located at Fiskå Industripark, just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Kristiansand. It will be home to a future 20 MW hydrogen factory (phase 1) with plans for an additional 40 MW to be added by the end of 2028 (phase 2).

The groundwork has been finalized. Construction of the production facility and the surrounding infrastructure starts early September. The construction period is expected to be less than one year.

Following commissioning and test runs, the first commercial hydrogen from Kristiansand will hit the market in December 2026.

“Customer dialogue is improving. Conversations are much more concrete now that everyone understands that there will be hydrogen available for sale from our facility in 18 months,” says Ekern.

In addition to the maritime market, hydrogen may be sold to zero-emission vehicles and heavy construction vehicles.

“Our goal is to close sales within the end of the year,” says Ekern.

Greenstat and the factory are pivotal in the Hyvard initiative, which has applied to become an EU Hydrogen Valley. The Port of Kristiansand, Agder County and Kristiansand Municipality are leading the initial phase of a project with a strong consortium, which includes GCE NODE.

“If awarded, an EU Hydrogen Valley could propel the Agder hydrogen industry to a whole new level,” says Ekern.

Development of the Sørlige Nordsjø II offshore wind project could directly and indirectly employ 2,100 people in Agder and create ripple effects worth NOK 7.9 billion for the region, according to a new analysis from PwC.

In addition, the operational phase could employ a further 1,250 people directly and indirectly and generate NOK 4.3 billion more in value creation.

“Norway’s first large-scale wind farm will have a formidable effect on Agder. Sørlige Nordsjø II will create new jobs and secure existing jobs in many professions and industries,” says Kristian Trydal Johnsen, Project Manager Offshore Wind at GCE NODE.

DOWNLOAD: Ripple Effect Analysis Sørlige Nordsjø II (Norwegian text)

GCE NODE has played a key role in bringing together and promoting Agder as Norway’s leading offshore wind region. On behalf of GCE NODE, and with support from Agder County and the Kristiansand Chamber of Commerce, PwC has conducted a ripple effect analysis that looks at the effect that the development of Sørlige Nordsjø II could have on Agder.

“We see that offshore wind will make a strong contribution to the region’s working life and businesses,” says Johnsen.

Given that there is uncertainty related to which solutions and suppliers the project will choose, the report has described a high scenario (many suppliers from Agder) and a low scenario (fewer suppliers from Agder).

In the low scenario, Sørlige Nordsjø II will employ 750 people in Agder and generate NOK 2.7 billion in value creation. The operating phase for the low scenario estimates 950 employees and NOK 3.9 billion in value creation.

“The difference between the high and low scenarios is significant and largely related to whether an Agder port will be involved in the development of the Sørlige Nordsjø II project,” explains André Arntsen Fjelltveit, Partner at PwC and responsible for the ripple effect analysis.

“Agder should therefore come together to develop an assembly port for the wind turbines – for example in Mandal or Lyngdal. This is something we are already addressing,” says County Mayor Arne Thomassen.