The Ulla-Førre Fund awards 32.1 million NOK to five innovative projects

The board of the Ulla-Førre Fund. From left: Ove Jølbo, Asle Rafdal, Kjetil Harestad, Jonas Andersen Sayed, and Anne Marie Lund.

The Ulla-Førre Fund Rogaland is a key driver of green business transformation and higher education advancement in the region. Originating from the largest hydroelectric plant in Northern Europe, the Ulla-Førre fund is jointly managed by Rogaland County Council, Lyse, and Sunnhordland Kraftlag (SKL).

In its third call for proposals, the Ulla-Førre fund has granted a total of 32.1 million NOK to Deep Ocean AS, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Risa AS, University of Stavanger, and Blue Planet AS.

This round saw a significant increase in applications, with 41 submissions received by the September 1 deadline, up from 27 in 2022. The fund supports projects which foster innovation and the greening of business and industry. It also supports the development of higher education in Rogaland.

The total requested amount exceeded 270 million NOK, showcasing a high overall quality of applications. While the emphasis is on projects within green industry and renewable energy, there is a diverse range of applicants, including contributions from the university and college sector, with geographical distribution among applicants.

Jonas Andersen Sayed, Chairman of the Ulla-Førre fund, expressed delight at supporting five innovative projects that will significantly impact green transformation, value creation, and increased expertise in Rogaland.

The funded projects are as follows:

1. Deep Ocean AS - "Ocean Inspector" (5.2 million NOK)
   Involves underwater technology and testing of autonomous vessels, aiming to facilitate cost reductions and reduced CO2 emissions for businesses.
2. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) - "Clean Laboratory" (7.5 million NOK)
   A laboratory serving as a meeting place for students, industry, and researchers, dedicated to testing machines, apparatus, and components related to societal electrification.
3. Risa AS - "Emission-Free Construction Site with Self-Sustaining Energy System" (5 million NOK)
   A project demonstrating an emission-free construction site with a self-sustaining energy system and creating a training package.
4. University of Stavanger (UiS) - "Power Initiative at UiS" (10 million NOK)
   A project offering a modern power initiative contributing to the expertise needed for societal electrification and transformation.
5. Blue Planet AS - "Weather and Environmental Data Measurement in the Norwegian Trench South" (4.4 million NOK)
   By collecting data from Norwegian waters, the project aims to contribute to new green value chains for aquaculture in offshore areas.

Grateful applicants

"We are incredibly grateful for the allocation from Ulla-Førrefondet. The support not only recognizes the innovative potential of the project but also reflects our commitment to advancing industry possibilities," says Kristoffer Johansen, Chief Technologist at DeepOcean.

"With these funds, we will construct a new building with a large laboratory for testing all types of machinery, equipment, and components related to the electrification of society. Several working groups at HVL are ready to collaborate in planning and erecting the building," explains Project Manager Vidar Frette.

"Without these funds, achieving the project's goals would have been challenging, and we are thankful for the contribution," says Lars Rune Nygård, Head of Development and Production Technology at Risa.

UiS and Blue Planet are also pleased to receive support.

"These are excellent news. With Ulla Førre's support, UiS can rapidly offer a modern power initiative essential for educating the expertise needed for the green shift," says Øystein Lund Bø, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at UiS.

"Funding from Ulla Førre for environmental data measurements is crucial for the development of sustainable offshore aquaculture, both in Rogaland and Norway. The measurements will provide important insights into environmental conditions affecting fish welfare, operation, and sizing of offshore fish farms," says Tord Ludvigsen, researcher in aquaculture economics.