Vision

To be recognized nationally and internationally as a highly qualified competence center for bioenergy research together with the other partners of the Norwegian Centre for Bioenergy Research.

Goal

• To increase our international co-operation within bioenergy related research activities
• To strengthen our international networks to ensure being continuously part of ‘state-of-the art' research activities
• To further develop our project portefolio on biohydrogen research and, to that end, to ensure participation in large international international research projects focusing on bioenergy development
• To become an internationally approved knowledge institute within the field of bioenergy in general, and biohydrogen in particular
• To contribute towards innovation and commercial developments within relevant industrial sectors
• To contribute substantially towards increased use of environmentally friendly and sustainable energy, both nationally and internationally
  
  

Strategy

Bioenergy has been synonymous to firewood in Norway. The increased CO2 level in the atmosphere, global warming and the climate changing process has now also changed the national focus on energy. Today, bioenergy is also biogas, biofuels and biomass for heating. The Norwegian Government's strategy for energy includes an increase in the supply of renewable or environmental friendly energy. To meet the need for knowledge and innovation, Bioforsk, Norwegian University of Life Science and The Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute established the Norwegian Centre for Bioenergy Research in 2007 to have a stronger and co-ordinated competence platform for the R&D, and to be an important instrument in implementing the Norwegian Government's bioenergy strategy. Generally, the Centre will generate new knowledge and technology through research co-operation nationally and internationally with research institutes and commercial interests. The objective of the Centre is to enable sustainable and cost-efficient bioenergy, and to that end to:

• Stimulate innovation in Norwegian companies dealing with bioenergy production through long-term R&D
• Stimulate international collaboration with renowned companies in the field of energy from biomass and waste
• Create an arena for collaboration between innovative industry and R&D institutions
• Promote education at bachelor-, master- and dr. degree levels in the field of bioenergy

Bioforsk has therefore clearly indicated its intention to give priority to future development and international co-operation within the fields of biotechnology and bioenergy. Some of the activities within the centre focus on bioenergy using biological processes for converting solar energy into hydrogen gas and other biofuels.