Institute for Energy Technology

IFE has a Human-Centred Technologies section in Halden (Norway) with a special focus on applying augmented and virtual reality technology to meet energy industry needs

JEEP II reactor at Kjeller (Norway) is shut down. While still in operation it was used as a research instrument for materials science and basic research in physics.

Halden-reaktoren is shut down. While still in use it was a research tool for i.a. reactor safety and fuel integrity.

Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) was established in 1948 as the Institute for Nuclear Energy (IFA). The name was changed in 1980. IFE is an internationally leading research institute in energy, health, digitalization and industrial development. IFE conducts research in the following areas: Digital Systems, Fluid Flow and Environmental Technology and Material and Process Technology. The institute is located at Kjeller and Halden in Norway. The President is Nils Morten Huseby. IFE conducts research for a better future.

Energy technology and Renewable Energy[]

IFE has been a frontrunner in the development of energy technology for more than 70 years and has played a key role in the development of Norway as an energy nation. The institute has an international profile with approximately 650 employees from 38 countries and a portfolio of more than 200 international projects including EU research projects and projects with business and industry partners. IFE has an extensive infrastructure and 25 full-scale laboratories where theoretical models are transformed into commercial activities.

Technology developed at IFE has saved the petroleum industry several hundred billion kroner. IFE has contributed to the development of ground-breaking cancer medicine, new solutions in renewable energy, more energy-efficient industrial processes, zero-emission transport solutions and future-oriented energy systems. IFE has unique expertise and systems within radiation protection and environmental monitoring of radioactive and chemical emissions. IFE is a partner for companies that want to research, develop and produce new solutions for renewable energy, digital systems and medicine using radioactive sources.

Within Renewable energy IFE conducts research within areas such as: Solar energy, Offshore wind technology, Batteries, Energy materials, Hydrogen technology and Geothermal energy.

Digital Systems[]

In Halden IFE has a fast growing research group specialized on Digital Systems. With broad digital expertise IFE contributes to quality assurance and efficiency improvements for customers in the public sector, trade and industry. IFE Digital Systems has research departments within the following areas: Applied Data Science, Applied Nuclear Sciences, Control Room and Interaction Design, Human-Centred Digitalization, Humans and Automation, Risk, Safety and Security as well as Virtual and Augmented Reality. IFE is also host to the international OECD Halden Reactor Project.

Applied artificial intelligence[]

The institute has the leading national research group on applied artificial intelligence and has been a pionéer within this field for several decades. An overall goal is to create societal and business development. We are a key partner of the Cluster for applied AI and naturally wishes to contribute to the Norwegian government reaching its digitalization goals, as stated in both the digitalization strategy for the public sector and in the national strategy for artificial intelligence. Applied artificial intelligence and sustainability are main focus areas, in addition to creating an interactional arena between problem keepers and problem solvers.

IFE organizes an annual international conference, AI+, on applied artificial intelligence. The conference is organized by IFE and partners Smart Innovation Norway, eSmart Systems, Halden Municipality, in collaboration with the Cluster for Applied AI.

The Cluster for Applied AI consists of partners representing the entire value chain for applied AI. The ambition is to develop a leading ecosystem bridging the gap between science and commercial use of the most potent technology of our time. Cluster for Applied AI focuses on collaborative efforts in research, technology development, ethics, security, and commercialization, thus helping partners and society towards a more sustainable and profitable future.

My Digital City[]

Another research and innovation initiative is My digital city which aims to contribute to a sustainable and future-oriented societal development based on advanced digital technology. My Digital City is a joint venture between IFE, Smart Innovation Norway, Østfold University College, Halden Municipality, eSmart Systems and Halden business development. My Digital City was launched in April 2021. The initiative will start with strong local roots and then share experiences, expertise, results, methodology and digital infrastructure regionally, nationally and internationally. My Digital City aims to become part of both a national network of Living Labs, but also larger networks such as European Digital Innovation Hubs. We will integrate basic and applied research with innovation processes, where the citizen is central together with the municipality and the business community to realize services that also safeguard the UN's sustainability goals.

History[]

During the post-war years Norway put strong efforts in the area of nuclear research. Gunnar Randers and Odd Dahl had already started the Norwegian nuclear research activities at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) from 1946, and after World War II this research was separated from the military establishment, with a focus on civilian use of nuclear power.

Institute for Nuclear Energy (IFA) was established in 1948 as a civilian offspring from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) with Gunnar Randers as President until 1970.

Norway’s first nuclear reactor (JEEP) went into operation at Kjeller in 1951. It went critical for the first time June 30, 1951. At this time only the great powers in the world: United States, United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union and Canada had managed to build and put nuclear reactors in operation.

Previously IFE operated the only two existing nuclear reactors in Norway. Both were dedicated to research. The JEEP II reactor at Kjeller was used for basic research in physics and material science, as well as production of radiopharmaceuticals. The Halden Reactor was used for research in materials technology and nuclear fuel safety. The research reactors have led to better nuclear safety, and were also key in leading research on energy and materials in Norway. The reactor operations were terminated in 2018-2019, and IFE’s nuclear activities are currently in a transition phase. IFE holds a license to own and operate nuclear and fuel storage facilities in Halden and Kjeller until 31 December 2028. Norwegian nuclear decommissioning (NND) will take over the license for the reactors and nuclear facilities to be decommissioned at a point before the IFE license period expires, with target date 1.1.2024.

In the 1980s IFE reformed its programme profile. Public financing was reduced, and in line with contemporary neo-liberal trends in society new demands were put on industry research, market adaptation and exposing research more to commercialisation. Research areas that saw a growth in this period included petroleum research, renewable energy, control room technology and man-machine-communication.

From the 1990s IFE gained a leading position in Norwegian energy- and environmental research, with focus on hydrogen storage in metal hydrides, environmental technology, energy systems analysis, solar energy and renewable energy systems.

In the area of petroleum technology, IFE has expertise in the areas of , corrosion inhibition and .

In the 2000s IFE has invested in the area of solar cell research. A new solar cell laboratory at Kjeller was opened in 2009, and cost about 50 million NOK, one of the biggest investments made by the Institute.^[1] The Centre for Environmental Energy Research hosted by IFE will concentrate on the development of silicon-based solar cells.

Police report by Norway's foreign ministry A 12 May 2013 article in O Estado de S. Paulo broke the story about testing done at the Halden Reactor in regards to the nuclear submarine program of Brazil.^[2] The testing did not have the proper authorization from Norway's government.^[2]

On 4 September media said that the institute "is admitting to illegal cooperation with companies in four more countries:"^[3] Russia, Argentina, France and the United States. Later Norway's foreign ministry made a police report to PST.^[3]