Connecting Denmark and USA: Research and Innovation with a Green Agenda
Access to knowledge and exchanging latest research is key when working with green energy transition. Innovation Centre Denmark in Silicon Valley (ICDK) strongly believes exchanging knowledge and networking can help solving some of the most complicated problems, including climate change challenges. With the economic support from Global Innovation Network Programme (GINP), who promotes internationalisation of Danish Innovation and Research, ICDK has established two new networks on the research and sustainability agenda. The networks focus on connecting research institutions and building bridges between Denmark and the US, so that both countries advantageously exchange and apply knowledge within the communities of science and innovation.
Research institutions turned into PtX network
One of the networks that has emerged as a result to the funds is a Power-to-X (PtX) collaboration between Danish research institutions and US partners. Establishing a stronger relationship within PtX is crucial when paving the way to a greener future. This was done by initiating new activities for a deeper engagement with the focus on a green resilient transition agenda. In May 2022, ICDK arranged a delegation trip for a group of 15 leading researchers from Danish Universities, to go to Colorado and visit US partners in fuel cells, batteries and electrolysis. The Danish researchers came from University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus University as well as Denmark’s Technical University and visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Colorado School of Mines. The overall objective of the network was to fast-track the green transition by enabling some of the world’s leading research institutions in Denmark and the US to further the access to latest knowledge, highly specialized competencies and talent. Practically speaking, this was done by facilitating a network on energy research by arranging workshops and setting up meetings. Workshops at Stanford University and Colorado School of Mines were held, as well as meetings with three national Department of Energy Labs: Berkeley Lab, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The purpose of these events was to create more opportunities for the Danish researchers to discuss clean energy’s newest research trends and much needed solutions for the urgent challenges of climate change.
Therefore, the newly established network was a natural next step after the delegation visit, as the fundaments of the introduction between the institutes had already been laid.
Providing access to International partners
The delegation’s purpose was exchanging knowledge and getting access to the latest research within green energy - but what is the purpose of establishing a network after the delegation? To support the realization of global potential for Danish research and innovation within PtX, the network provides access to valuable international partners that can increase collaboration under national and international funding and investment programs. Moreover, the network also takes advantage of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between US Department of Energy (DoE), which The Ministry of Climate & Energy and Innovation Fund Denmark signed in 2021. Here, PtX was mentioned as a key focus area for research collaboration between Denmark and USA.
Connecting Danish and American Universities
The second program established is “Advancing a Resilient Green Transition by Research, Education & Entrepreneurship.” Similar to the PtX collaboration, the program also consists of a collaboration between Danish and US research institutions and partners. The network is a result of a symposium arranged by ICDK in the Spring of 2022, where participants from AAU, DTU and SDU met with the UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute. The goal was to identify key research themes for a new and broader initiative. The initiative is based on the MoU from December 2021 between UC Davis and ICDK, where the objective was increasing the academic and scientific relations between the American University and Danish research institutions. The outcome of the symposium was a joint application for establishing a network based on the MoU, for facilitating continued interaction among leading research institutions in Denmark and California on the green transition.
Advantages for Denmark and the US
The newly established network will focus on energy and sustainability projects that foster design and entrepreneurship to advance global green transitions. Projects focused on sustainable communities and circular economies will optimistically enhance the design and implementation of these solutions in both Denmark and the US. In addition, the network will focus on decarbonisation research and electrification infrastructure improvements. As a global green transition is on the agenda, the network will also focus on deployment for transportation, buildings, etc.
Fulfilling the purpose of GINP
As mentioned, establishing the networks was made possible by the support of the Global Innovation Network Programme, which is an initiative under The Ministry of Higher Education and Science. The networks were granted 750.000 DKK to improve the global impact of Danish research and innovation in areas with significant potential. The sole purpose of the Global Innovation Network Programme is to internationalize Danish research and innovation and help establish relationships and carry out networking activities with relevant stakeholders. ICDK Silicon Valley has a strong network within American and Danish research institutions, and it was therefore natural for ICDK to initiate and help form connections between the two countries’ leading research institutions.
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