#52 The Future of Battery Production in Europe and Norway (with Hege Marie Norheim, FREYR)

In this episode of the NTNU Energy Transition Podcast, we invite Hege Marie Norheim to discuss the future of battery production in Europe. Hege, who is an executive vice president at FREYR, shares her journey from working in the Prime Minister's office in Norway to her current role in the battery industry. She helps us understand how batteries play a crucial role in the energy transition, by decarbonizing the transportation sector and scaling renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Norheim sheds light on the growing demand for batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. While discussing the potential for recycling used lithium-ion batteries from the mobility market, she emphasizes that the demand for fresh batteries is enormous and expected to increase significantly in the coming years. The conversation also touches upon different types of batteries, including vanadium flow batteries used in stationary applications. Hege explains that each battery type has its own advantages and trade-offs depending on factors such as charging speed, energy storage capacity, and lifespan. She emphasizes the need for optimizing battery chemistry to meet various requirements. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the role of batteries in the energy transition and the future of battery production in Europe. Norway's "IRA": https://www.dn.no/politikk/ira/jan-christian-vestre/store-regjeringen/mener-den-norske-pakken-er-bedre-enn-usas/2-1-1477692 (norwegian article)