Close collaboration with Norsk Katapult Digital: Producing lightning-fast chargers for transport

The image: Cyan Energy produces lightning-fast chargers for transportation

Cyan Energy develops high-capacity chargers for electric vehicles and vessels in collaboration with several competence companies. Among these is Norsk Katapult Digital, which is part of the innovation company and civil partner ÅKP in Ålesund. The ambitious goal is to replace today's gas stations concerning charging speed and payment solutions.

Cyan Energy is a perfect example of how important the interaction between incubators and the catapult centers can be for groundbreaking new concepts in Norway.  

–  We wished to make our concept understandable for the company's investors and potential partners, such as Enova and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. ÅKP saw the potential in what we were doing and wanted to use the resources available here in the region, says founder Bjørn Bjerke of Cyan Energy.  

ÅKP is the facilitator for a complete incubator network and connects competence environments together. 

SIVAVIRKEMIDLER: For Cyan Energy and founder Bjørn Bjerke, the journey began when ÅKP introduced the company to Norsk Katapult Digital.

– For Cyan Energy, the journey actually started when ÅKP, as an incubator, introduced the company to Norsk Katapult Digital and suggested we should have a conversation. We had a brief mapping meeting to uncover needs, and together we narrowed it down to something we could deliver. We found a supplier who was able to carry out the project, and it took a short time from first contact to they delivered a product they were satisfied with, says project manager Arne Nerem Monsholm, who was previously employed by Norsk Katapult Digital. 

In collaboration with Ocean Visioneering AS, a floating installation for fast charging of boats was modeled and made available for viewing in VR. The purpose was to explain and illustrate the concept on a modern platform. The result was demonstrated to both customers and investors using VR equipment from Norsk Katapult Digital.  

– If we hadn't developed this, we wouldn't have achieved this high-capacity battery solution. Without the use of Norsk Katapult Digital, we also wouldn't have been able to create the solution to put everything underground at land facilities, in the same way, we do at quay facilities, says founder Bjerke. 

Idea from oil and gas drilling

He comes from the oil industry, with experience from the former Kongsberg Offshore (Technip FMC) and Statoil (Equinor). The idea was born in a project that the parent company Petro Well Services had in Argentina. It involved drilling wells on land for natural gas production.  

– Bjerke has transferred competence and innovation from the fossil industry and addressed the energy challenges here in Norway. It is evident that we need changes and green solutions. With the first prototype of a hybrid fuel station that is not fossil, work is underway on an energy station for road users. The technology can also be utilized for marine use and in aviation. All three solutions are patented, explains senior advisor at ÅKP, Arne Mehl. He recently retired and now works as an independent consultant.

UNIQUE: Senior advisor Arne Mehl, who until recently was employed at ÅKP, believes Cyan Energy offers a unique solution that is a game changer for the transportation industry.

Hydrogen hybrid solution as a competitive advantage

The capacity challenges in the power grid are a challenge that also creates opportunities. By using hydrogen to produce electricity, the charging stations will be far less dependent on grid capacity.  

In addition to local electricity production from hydrogen-powered fuel cells, the company has installed a given output of electricity generation from wind and solar. To deliver promised output at all times and to drive optimal costs for production and storage of energy, Cyan Energy has developed a software solution that optimizes which energy sources should be used. 

– In connection with large energy storage capacities, we can guarantee promised output at each charging point at any time, says Bjørn Bjerke. 

Strong interest from heavy transport

This article was first published on the websites of Siva

Improved standards open the door for future vehicles to have greater capacity to handle the electricity required to charge vehicles in a shorter time.  

Heavy transport is of great interest to Cyan Energy. The new electric trucks are now being used extensively by national companies, including food distributor ASKO. The goal is fossil-free transport by the end of 2026. Both Otta and Åndalsnes are examples of relevant hubs where heavy vehicles will need quick charging on the export route from North-Western Norway. There are many such routes in Norway. 

– This is a game changer for the transportation industry. The pilot is ready, and I cannot see any other concepts that can match this solution in reliability and capacity. As we have perceived the signals in early dialogue with an actor like Asko and others, the solution appears to be unique, says Arne Mehl.