In our previous story, '<a href="https://www.volue.com/news/from-watts-to-weather">From Watts to Weather</a>', we delved into the evolving landscape of energy utilities. If you haven't read this, we highly recommend you start there to gain a comprehensive understanding of the journey so far. This foundational article sets the stage for our ongoing exploration into the realm of digital twins and the unparalleled expertise Volue brings to the table.&nbsp;
Jens Dalsgaard, Principle Product Owner, Power Grid, Volue, takes up the second in our article series below.&nbsp;
<h2>Visualising the Digital Twin&nbsp;</h2>
A digital twin represents a precise virtual replica of the entire grid infrastructure. Within this digital realm, every cable, including its geometry and critical attributes like commissioning date, cable type, and electrical characteristics, is meticulously documented. This thorough documentation extends to capture connections with other grid components.&nbsp;
Similarly, substations are detailed in digital form, right down to specifics like transformers, breakers, fuses, and their interconnections, both internally and with external cables and overhead lines. Every component and line forming the grid is meticulously catalogued, along with its network of connections, ranging from high voltage to medium and low voltage segments.&nbsp;
Frequently, IT departments and SMEs tend to view data within the confines of a specific purpose. However, within an electric utility, numerous business processes organically revolve around the grid, making comprehensive grid data utilisation essential. It's important for IT departments to embrace the expansive landscape of data applications, even if this broader vision has not yet taken root. They have traditionally operated within a stable and somewhat conservative industry, but the winds of change are undeniably sweeping in. Remember, the digital twin serves as the essential cornerstone for achieving data-driven operations, automating business processes, and optimising grid operations.&nbsp;
Understanding the concept of a digital twin is a significant undertaking in itself.&nbsp; We have included a selection of images that provide a preview of the digital twin intricacies. However, delving into and comprehending every nuanced detail demands the expertise of seasoned partners. Volue stands as precisely that partner, possessing the experience and insight necessary to navigate and make the most of the digital twin's complexities.&nbsp;

A typical high voltage substation revealing details like busbars, transformers and breakers - all with properties registered needed to support the various business processes and IT solutions. All are connected to the cables and therefore connected to other substations.

An example of a medium voltage substation with two transformers, including a three-winding transformer.  Here you can also see the cables connecting this substation to other substations and to cabinets, poles and customers. 

With such a digital twin grid representation, it's possible to trace pathways, as seen here, starting from a high voltage substation like the above, passing through medium voltage cables / overhead lines, and substations  (orange buffer), and extending into the low voltage network (blue buffers) – passing through the medium voltage substation - revealing exactly which customer meters are fed downstream thereof.

Intricacies of the digital twin 

Through this digital twin representation of the distribution grid, we can provide essential data for critical IT solutions and business processes.&nbsp;
Data is the key to business process optimisation. With a complete digital twin, any worker - in-house or in the field - can have up-to-date access to grid information and analysis capabilities. This democratises the clarification and decision power throughout the organisation, engaging everyone in the upholding of high and consistent data quality.&nbsp;&nbsp;
By providing access to a digital twin, the tasks of planning new grid or reinforcing existing grid can be brought into the hands of all skilled workers in your organisation, not just the few in the office. This can lead to a more efficient and effective process, which can improve the quality of service provided to customers.&nbsp;

The digital twin of the grid

<h2 aria-level="2">Investing in Excellence: Why CxOs Must Prioritise High-Quality Migrations as the Bedrock of Data-Driven Operations&nbsp;</h2>
&nbsp;
Migrating to a new platform is rarely a walk in the park and transitioning to ArcGIS Utility Network (UN) is no exception. In the world of utilities, where data is the lifeblood of operations, ensuring a seamless transition is paramount.&nbsp;&nbsp;
You might have heard the notion that migrating in general should be straightforward, especially if your electric utility or your typical vendor has experience with other migrations. After all, how hard can it be?&nbsp;&nbsp;
However, let's unravel this. The truth is, migrating to UN is a unique challenge that demands specialised expertise and sophisticated tools. We understand that data alignment, unification, and the pursuit of the highest data quality within UN are not mere checkboxes on a to-do list. They are the linchpin of immediate value proposition and the gateway to reaping the full benefits of this transformative platform.&nbsp;
The strict data requirements set by Utility Network make the migration process more challenging than most other migrations. One of these is connecting to terminals, which is typically not available in the source system. Additionally, the migration process requires handling stacked features, duplicate vertices, and piggy-tails in cable/overhead line geometries.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To ensure that the migrated data fully supports critical business requirements set by analyses and integrations to other core systems, substantial data refinements and alignments are necessary. Despite the complexity of the migration process, it is essential to ensure that the data is migrated accurately.&nbsp;
Generic experience in migrations won't cut it. It's like comparing a road trip to scaling a mountain &ndash; both require navigation skills, but the terrain and the tools needed are vastly different. It might seem reasonable to cut corners during migration, but this is a temptation best resisted.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>CxOs, take heed: prioritising high-quality migrations is not an indulgence but a strategic necessity</h2>
Failing to do so can lead to costly consequences down the road, from data inconsistencies to operational inefficiencies. The initial investment in a meticulous migration pays dividends in the form of a streamlined, data-driven operation.&nbsp;

Principle Product Owner, Power Grid, Volue

<h2 aria-level="2">Navigating the Complexities: Volue Delivers Best-in-Class Migrating to ArcGIS Utility Network &nbsp;</h2>
&nbsp;
When it comes to migrating to ArcGIS Utility Network, Volue stands unrivalled. Our track record speaks volumes, having performed migrations for one of Scandinavia&rsquo;s largest electric utilities with remarkable success. We are also currently performing migrations for another of Scandinavia&rsquo;s largest electric utilities.&nbsp;
This achievement allows immediate traceability inside ArcGIS UN across voltage levels without the need for prior or subsequent data cleansing &ndash; a testament to our commitment to data quality.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With meticulous precision, we align data from multiple sources during migration, creating systematic hierarchical structures and assigning functional names to every piece of equipment within substations, cabinets, and poles.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Even for a grid serving a million utility customers, comprising more than 10 million features and 5 million associations, our expertise shines through. We've achieved an astounding 99.95% migration success rate of features without dirty areas. Such low numbers of data issues allow immediate value proposition without first having to spend thousands of man-hours data cleansing. We don't just migrate data; we ensure it's transformed into an asset of unparalleled quality, setting the stage for a data-driven future in utility operations.&nbsp;

In our next post, 'Pioneering the Future: Volue's Game-Changing SaaS Grid Calculation Capabilities', we'll delve deeper into the cutting-edge world of SaaS-based grid calculations. Discover how Volue is leading the charge, not only against ArcGIS Utility Network but also against any other structured data source. Join us as we explore the transformative power of this innovation and its potential to reshape the way we approach grid management and data analysis.&nbsp;

In a world increasingly defined by digital innovation, the concept of a ‘digital twin’ has become a buzzword across industries. In this second instalment of our series, we dive into the digital realm, demystifying the concept of digital twins. We'll reveal why, for those embarking on the digital twin journey with ArcGIS Utility Network (UN) in mind, Volue stands as the undisputed leader in delivering top-tier migrations and exceptional expertise. Step into the digital frontier and discover how Volue can elevate your utility network to unprecedented heights. 

Navigating the Digital Frontier: Unleashing the Power of Digital Twins with Volue's Expertise  

Digital twins

December is traditionally a time to pause and reflect on the passing year, looking back on successes and challenges, while focusing on the opportunities and possibilities of the next 12 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It is also a period that encourages gratitude. Gratitude for experiences gained, lessons learned, and the growth of new and existing partnerships. I also want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the people of Volue.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With great people, delivering end-to-end platforms and technology services, we continue to drive our company forward.&nbsp;
This work is generating increased revenues for energy companies not only in Europe but across the world, supporting a sustainable energy transition in the process. I thank my colleagues for their ongoing efforts over the last 12 months and look towards 2024 with optimism, excitement, and confidence.&nbsp;
<h2>The importance of electrification&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Our world is changing.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Electrification, or the process of moving away from fossil fuels, continues to gain momentum as an important response to global challenges. Its surge is propelled by a commitment to, and need for, increased sustainability, demands for greater energy security, and aims to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change. I would argue that it is one of the greatest challenges of our time.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Of course, a key driver to the success of this shift will be the wider adoption of renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power. This in turn will reshape the energy landscape with cleaner alternatives. Electrification stands as the main path to a greener future, redefining our approach to energy with unparalleled efficiency and environmental benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Volue&rsquo;s work is directly supporting this electrified future. We have made significant progress during 2023 but know and understand that there is much more to come. This is an exciting prospect for myself and my colleagues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Listening and responding to customer needs

This was our biggest development project to date and illustrated the culmination of years of hard work, working together with some of Europe&rsquo;s leading power producers.
We fully understand and appreciate that automation of optimisation and trading processes are key if power producers are to stay competitive. Smart Power facilitates that. To support that further, the platform&rsquo;s ability to ensure optimal use of power portfolios will deliver increased resource efficiency, illustrating our strong focus on sustainability.&nbsp;
With the growing share of renewables, power production, planning and trading has become more challenging and volatile. Volue&rsquo;s Smart Power software will support our customers on the green energy transition by providing solutions for tomorrow&rsquo;s challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Operational highlights&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
The initial launch of Smart Power was quickly followed by the announcement that Spanish energy giant Iberdrola had signed a framework agreement with us for the software. Indeed, 2023 was a year of several important announcements to the media, markets, customers and stakeholders.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Spring saw the launch of Spark by Volue&rsquo;s first service, harnessing partner collaboration to deliver a data-driven smart-charging solution. Later, we announced a significant tender win with N1, in a deal that further strengthened our presence in the Nordic Power Grid market.&nbsp;
May saw the acquisition of Enerim Oy&rsquo;s Wholesale Markets Business Line, then the subsequent launch of our Volue Energy Market Services product line. As a market leader for software-backed services in the renewables sector, it provides portfolio management as a service to a growing market, including small to medium wind, solar and battery players.&nbsp;
By way of context, we see substantial potential in the growth of batteries, wind and solar. The acquisition and increased focus on portfolio management as a service is a direct consequence of a strong belief in this segment, and I look forward to expected growth in this area over the next 18 to 24 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In autumn, the introduction of our algo trading software in the continuous intraday market of OMIE not only consolidated our position in Iberia but provided a further platform for the region to meet its green ambitions. By strengthening our presence in energy trading across Spain and Portugal, while making ongoing expansions into Europe, we are solidifying our commitment to a greener future.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Another significant highlight for me has been our successful entry into Japan. Volue established a Japanese office in early 2022, and we launched our initial offering in September that year.&nbsp;
Since then, we have seen significant activity in the country over the last 12 months. Of course, Japan has - not surprisingly - adopted the Nordic market design, which is fantastic news for Volue, given our extensive experience in shaping the Nordic model. We have now grown from one customer at launch to 22 towards the end of this year, perfectly highlighting our Japanese success to date. All the opportunities are there for further growth, and we are ready to take them.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Volue Smart Power

<h2>Taking advantage of market opportunities&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
We will continue to take advantage of opportunities, as and when they arise. We are well placed to respond to those that come our way, particularly within the context of the large, fast-growing markets we operate in. Not only are our markets growing, but installed renewable capacity and the number of power producers is also growing, fueled by the electrification I referenced earlier.&nbsp;
Towards 2030, Europe will add more than 400GW from renewable sources. Though a significant part of this will come from the transition of existing portfolios in the over 100 companies that control 70% of generation today, the rise in output will also come from the thousands of smaller entrants with solar and wind assets. These need to be connected to the market and it is our mission to enable this. Of course, we should also consider the 200 million distributed energy resources that will also have to be connected to the grid to stabilise it, as the continued shutting down of stable baseload generation, like that of coal, increases.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We are perfectly positioned to support these new market entrants. Volue is market-proven across regions, markets, and product areas. This provides the perfect platform for growth that is sustainable and profitable. Our robust foundation provides long cash flows and churn protection, while we continue to build SaaS revenues as part of our go-to-market strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;
By continuously evaluating our existing offering while assessing new opportunities, we will ensure that our strategy delivers sustained growth and innovation.&nbsp;
<h2>Looking to the future&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Through digital platforms and innovative solutions, we deliver software and services critical to society for a cleaner, better, and more profitable future. The last 12 months have seen this message told to audiences new and old, from the Nordics, Europe, and East Asia.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a story we will continue to not only tell in 2024, but expand upon, as we target ongoing organic growth and increased revenues. That in turn will support our steadfast ambition: to become the number one software and software-backed service provider to the European energy system by 2030.&nbsp;
We are well on our way to this position.&nbsp;&nbsp;
All that remains to be said is thank you.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Thank you to our customers and stakeholders, and thank you to my colleagues.&nbsp;&nbsp;
I wish you and your families an enjoyable festive period, whatever it means to you, and a happy and peaceful New Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Trond.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Trond Straume, CEO, Volue, shares his thoughts on Volue's activity in 2023, with an outlook on what is to come next year. 

Trond Straume, CEO, Volue, shares his thoughts on Volue's activity in 2023 while providing an overview on what is to come next year. 

Strong Growth in 2023 will Support Volue’s Ongoing Journey 

The mild start to winter has significantly impacted gas and power demand for heating across Europe. However, temperatures are now beginning to drop, signalling a potential increase in energy needs. Despite geopolitical tensions and supply challenges, German power front-year prices have reverted to levels reminiscent of the pre-Russia-Ukraine-War era. This situation reflects the complex interplay of factors influencing the market, including cold weather risks, the Middle East conflict, Russian gas flows, and intense competition for LNG cargoes. While a slight risk premium exists on gas prices, we at Volue observe the high capacity of gas storage and weak demand in residential and industrial sectors, providing a cushion against immediate supply shocks. However, Europe's increased reliance on LNG also highlights its vulnerability to global supply dynamics.
Contrastingly, the profitability of hard coal in Germany, compared to gas, is reshaping the energy mix. Gas plants, operating at 50% efficiency, find profitability mostly only during peak hours. Consequently, hard coal in Germany is proving to be more profitable, potentially encouraging more gas-to-coal switching.
The weather forecast from the ECMWF predicts mild and wet conditions in the UK and Europe for the first quarter of 2024. This weather pattern is expected to suppress heating demand and influence hydrological conditions. While CWE reservoirs are robustly at 82% capacity, the Nordic region's reservoirs are slightly below normal but still in a better position than the previous year. Additionally, renewable energy production, particularly solar, has seen significant growth, with a 16% increase in renewable output expected in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
From a demand perspective, European consumption trends reveal a level below average compared to last year, indicating a slow, ongoing recovery from the post-COVID era. Particularly, the energy-intensive industry sector in Germany shows very limited signs of recovery, having mostly stagnated throughout the year. With Germany&rsquo;s industrial sector still grappling with recession, no significant demand increase is anticipated in the next year. France exhibits a slow but steady industrial recovery. Furthermore, the UK&rsquo;s industrial demand remains stable, but household consumption is low, with no immediate recovery to pre-COVID levels in sight.
Altogether, we at Volue believe that the different market drivers paint a cautiously optimistic picture. The winter start, although mild, is now giving way to colder temperatures. Yet, the overall forecast remains higher than normal for the coming months. European gas storages are comfortably filled, with no excessive risk premiums on gas prices, especially considering the geopolitical context. Also, French nuclear availability has notably improved compared to last year, offering approximately 10 GW more, suggesting a stable supply backbone for CWE.
In terms of price forecasts, both Volue's short-term and mid-term technical outlooks lean slightly bearish. For the forward price perspective, January might see a slight price increase, expected to decline from the second half of February. Cross-border spreads for the calendar year 2024 also show a neutral to slightly bearish trend, indicating a stable but watchful market environment.

In our Market Expert View webinar on November 28th our analysts suggested a cautious energy market outlook for Europe. Mild winter conditions have reduced energy demand, but dropping temperatures could change this. German power prices echo pre-conflict levels despite geopolitical and supply uncertainties. Gas storage capacity and reduced demand are stabilizing factors, while hard coal gains profitability in Germany. The energy sector's recovery from COVID impacts remains slow, with a near-term bearish price forecast and a stable but vigilant market ahead.

European Energy Outlook: Mild Winter Lowers Demand, Coal Profitability Rises Amid Market Cautiousnes

<h2>Innovation hub</h2>
The goal of the Gemini Conference is to serve as a meeting place for innovation within the water and construction industries. It is a platform to explore new technologies, address the challenges facing the sector, and discuss the available solutions to overcome them.&nbsp;
This year's conference focused on several key themes critical to the industry's future, including the digitisation of the industry, rising project costs, and how to handle the ever-increasing demands of infrastructure projects.
<h2>Inspiring keynote speakers</h2>
Volue is proud to attract key figures in both the water and construction industries. Keynote speakers Julie Brodtkorb, CEO of the Contractors' Association, and Anna Maria Aursund, Director of the Water and Sewerage Department, Oslo Municipality, shared their thoughts on the industry's development, challenges, and opportunities. Participants heard inspiring speeches from both, contributing to shaping and influencing the industry's future.

<h2>Volue's innovation award 2023</h2>
During the Gemini Conference 2023, two remarkable individuals were recognised and honoured with Volue's Innovation Award 2023. They were acknowledged for contributing their insights, commitment, and collaboration with Volue to develop the best solutions. During the dinner on November 22, Odd Petter Habbestad from B&oslash;mlo Water and Sewerage Company AS was awarded the prize for Water &amp; Community, and Ruben Rosland from Risa AS received the prize for Construction.
We look forward to following the further development of these innovative projects and celebrating more pioneers like Odd Petter Habbestad and Ruben Rosland in the time to come.
<h2>Forward-thinking networking opportunities</h2>
The conference also offered a diverse range of lectures, courses, and the latest news in the Gemini portfolio. This provided participants with the opportunity to delve deeper into specific topics, share their own experiences, and benefit from the expertise of product specialists.
One of the most valuable aspects of the Gemini Conference is the opportunity for participants to network with industry experts and potential collaborators. Such relationships are crucial for creating future opportunities and driving the industry forward.
Through knowledge sharing and inspiring discussions, participants left the conference with new insights, valuable contacts, and a renewed enthusiasm for shaping the future of the water and construction industry.
We look forward to meeting again at the Gemini Conference 2024 in Trondheim!

The Gemini Conference is a highlight in the water and construction industries, and on November 22-23, we gathered nearly 600 people from across both sectors. The conference is a unique arena for meeting people, sharing experiences and knowledge, and discussing the latest trends. 

 Gemini Conference 2023

Gemini Conference 2023: Gathering of the Water and Construction Industries

<h2>Finland and Sweden: countries in context&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Finland's wind energy sector has continued to demonstrate significant expansion during 2023. The Nordic country maintains an active commitment to investing in onshore wind power projects as a means to bolster its renewable energy capacity and align with its green energy targets. Multiple wind farms are either in development or have recently reached completion, contributing substantially to the evolution of the Finnish energy ecosystem.&nbsp;
Over the last decade, Sweden's renewable energy capacity has also increased, fueled by an increase in hydropower and ongoing growth in wind. By 2026 the Swedish energy ecosystem will have almost doubled its wind power to 52 TWhs. At the same time, industries are repositioning themselves to take advantage of these new resources and we anticipate that Sweden will find itself to be a significant net exporter of renewable energy by that time. All of these factors mean that there are more variables to work with and more opportunities to latch onto.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s with this context in mind that Tomi takes up the story.&nbsp;
<h2>Balancing Supply and Demand&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;Manual Frequency Restoration Reserve, or mFRR, is increasingly becoming more important in the context of power grid management and electricity generation. With a growth in intermittent renewables, it's more important than ever to maintain a balance between the supply of electricity and its demand. Any imbalance in this equilibrium can lead to fluctuations in the grid's frequency, which can have detrimental effects on the stability and reliability of the electrical system,&rdquo; explains Tomi.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;mFRR is one of the mechanisms used to help maintain this balance. It is a type of reserve capacity that is held in the energy market to quickly respond to unforeseen events that can cause frequency deviations on the grid. These events can include sudden changes in electricity demand, unexpected generator outages, or other disturbances,&rdquo; he adds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>The Reserve Market&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
"In&nbsp;Finland, wind power participates in the reserve market to a small extent. However, this is changing, and we have seen that it continues to grow year-on-year. Some producers are active in the mFRR market, but in other markets there are no wind participants yet. For those who are active, we are supporting their sector requirements. &nbsp;
&ldquo;By way of context, this year we have already launched mFRR trading for several parks. In addition to that, some other parks have already agreed to participate in the reserve market with us and are already in the process of implementation. These have a combined maximum capacity of&nbsp;close to a thousand MW's by year end. In addition, there are active service offers pending for several parks&rdquo;, says Tomi.&nbsp;<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
<h2>Technical Monitoring Services&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
So just what sets Volue apart from the rest when it comes to reserve market activity?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Tomi had this to say.&nbsp;

Senior Vice President, Volue Energy Market Services

“One clear advantage for us is our 24/7 control room and technical monitoring service. This enables us to provide curtailing to the park when it's due – so we can offer the customer a one-stop shop type of service, as a unique service provider in the Nordics. It’s something that we are now looking to introduce across the Nordics, with Sweden our next natural step when it introduces the Balance Service Provider model (BSP)."

&ldquo;The Nordic energy market is revamping itself, introducing new flexibility revenue opportunities through the new role of the BSP and the transition to 15-minute trading and settlement intervals. The latter is already in place, building a strong basis for upcoming opportunities.<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
&ldquo;Sweden is also seeing the ramifications of an overcommitment to long contracts, or so-called baseload power purchase agreements. While useful in gaining financial backing, they can also become a liability when market conditions change. Having a more nimble and modular approach to securing asset value will ensure asset owner resilience in a time of change and is something the market needs to embrace even more as complexity and volatility increase.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In addition to mFRR, we are trading our customers&rsquo; assets on all reserve market categories and also participating in Fingrid&rsquo;s pilot project to bring wind power to more than the mFRR markets. We already have several non-wind power customers in other reserve markets, with many participating in several markets at the same time. Our aim is to optimise our clients' income in the different reserve markets according to where the best income would be available, and we remain committed to developing these tools further.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;For me, reserve power markets such as mFRR remains a vital component of the energy market that helps maintain the stability of the electrical grid by quickly responding to frequency deviations, ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to consumers. We look forward to continuing to support the Nordic market over the coming years.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Volue Energy Market Services is a market leader for software-backed services in the renewables sector. It provides power producers, industrial companies, traders, aggregators and battery operators with services including asset operations, power production planning and optimisation, and trading and settlement. Provision of real time Nordic control room services not only complements the portfolio but adds a critical information and controllability aspect to both energy and storage assets. This in turn gives customers an edge in the ever-developing complex market landscape.&nbsp;&nbsp; Navigating the power market is a complex exercise. Through cutting edge technology, machine learning, algorithms and our highly competent team, our solutions optimise assets and reduce risk in the financial and physical power market.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Visit <a href="https://www.volue.com/energy-market-services">Volue Energy Market Services</a>.&nbsp;

Volue Energy Market Services  

We recently caught up with Tomi Pesonen, Senior Vice President, Volue Energy Market Services. Tomi, who is both a native of and based in Finland, had this to say about the wind market in the Nordics, the use of Manual Frequency Restoration Reserve in maintaining sector balance, and the opportunities that continue to be presented.

Volue Continues to Support the Nordics' Growing Reserve Market

The transformation towards recurring revenues and Software as a Service (SaaS) continues. SaaS revenues were NOK 105 million in the quarter, an increase of 50 percent compared to the third quarter of 2022. Recurring revenue constituted 76 percent of total revenues and reached NOK 254 million in the quarter, an increase of 40 percent from the third quarter of 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited that our annualised ARR base broke the barrier of 1 billion NOK in the quarter, representing an important milestone for Volue. This demonstrates that we hold true to our promise of powerful growth in ARR and SaaS as we are reaping the benefits of the investments we&rsquo;ve made in our platform. Through our go-to-market strategy, we&rsquo;re building a robust SaaS company, and our success in doing so is evident from the growth we&rsquo;ve delivered in ARR and SaaS revenues since listing in 2020,&rdquo; says Trond Straume, CEO of Volue.&nbsp;
Volue achieves sustained growth through key customer acquisitions, highlighted by strategic wins in the quarter. Notably, the company expanded its presence in Japan, reaching 22 paying customers. The proven market fit in Japan serves as a clear testament to the value that Volue brings customers &ndash; also in virgin markets without decades of track record.&nbsp;
The strategic review of the ownership in Industrial IoT is still underway, and it&rsquo;s deemed appropriate to keep the unit somewhat separate from the Energy segment. Hence, Industrial IoT is reported under &ldquo;other segments&rdquo;, and all figures referred to in the Energy segment are excluding Industrial IoT.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the third quarter of 2023, revenues from the newly acquired Enerim Oy's Energy Market Services division are recognised in the Energy segment. On the other hand, the Energy segment faced headwinds in non-recurring volatility-driven revenues when compared to the third quarter of 2022. The abnormal volatility revenues is estimated to NOK 60 million for the full year 2022. As indicated and expected, these revenues came down, and the effect was approximately NOK 30 million in the third quarter.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In sum, the Energy segment grew at a rate of 16 percent compared to the same quarter last year, while the organic growth versus the same period was -3 percent. Achieving organic revenues almost on par with the same period last year in the absence of the non-recurring revenues suggests strong development in ARR and SaaS and a very healthy improvement in the underlying business.&nbsp;
&ldquo;With decreased non-recurring revenues and great progress in ARR and SaaS, we&rsquo;re left with significant uplifts in their respective shares of revenue for the last twelve months. The fact that we&rsquo;ve also been able to improve margins from the corresponding quarter last year speaks volumes to the underlying performance of our business,&rdquo; Straume says.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Going forward, Volue sees substantial potential in the growth of batteries, wind and solar. The acquisition of the Enerim Energy Market Services division and increased focus on portfolio management as a service is a direct consequence of the group&rsquo;s belief in this segment.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We have hit the ground running on the integration of Enerim and the formation of Volue Energy Market Services. The business line is providing Portfolio Management as a Service to a growing market, including small to medium wind, solar and battery players. Combined, we are the Nordic market leader, positioned to be a leader in Europe by 2030,&rdquo; Straume says.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are steadfast in our ambition to become the number one software and software-backed service provider to the European energy system by 2030. At the speed markets are changing, opportunities are opening up for Volue across the board, and our task is to pursue the right ones. In order to do so, Volue will continue to be focused, both organically and structurally,&rdquo; Straume continues.&nbsp;
Volue maintains the following long-term guidance to the market&nbsp;
<ul>
 <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Annual long-term organic growth of 15 percent&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Target of NOK 2 billion in revenues by 2025, including M&amp;A&nbsp;</li>
 <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Year-by-year increases of adjusted EBITDA margin, cash conversion, share of ARR and SaaS revenues&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
*EBITDA and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as part of the APM section of the third quarter 2023 presentation on page 32.&nbsp;

Volue is a market leader in technologies and services that power the green transition. Based on 50 years of experience, Volue provides innovative solutions, systems and insights to industries critical to society. Over 800 employees work with more than 2,500 customers across energy, power grid, water and infrastructure projects that ensure a sustainable, flexible and reliable future. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and active in 40+ countries.&nbsp;

About Volue

<h2>Highlights and presentation &nbsp;</h2>
For further details, please see the <a href="https://www.volue.com/investors">presentation on our investor pages</a>. In the video presentation below, CEO Trond Straume sums up the results and highlights.&nbsp;

Arnstein Kjesbu

Chief Financial Officer & Strategy

Jacob Zeno Clausen Krøvel

Head of Investor Relations

For additional information, please contact: 

Oslo, November 10th 2023: Volue ASA (OSE: VOLUE) reported operating revenues of NOK 334 million in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 14 percent from the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA* was NOK 63 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 19 percent. 

Financial Results For the Third Quarter of 2023

Current solutions for smart charging of electric cars are based on the assumption that electricity prices at different times of the day are set one day in advance, and they encourage charging during low-price hours.
Such solutions overlook the fact that electricity prices not only vary throughout a day but even more so over the course of a week. At the same time, most people only need to charge their electric cars once or twice a week.

Kjetil Storset

Spark Lead

Blair Grant

Senior Communications Manager

Do you want to know more?

Norwegian utility Fjordkraft is now launching the next generation of smart charging for electric cars based on long-term price forecasts from Volue.
"Our first priority is, of course, to incorporate features into the Fjordkraft app that we believe our customers will benefit from here and now, and we definitely think this will. But this is also about contributing to the green transition by helping consumers act rationally and flexibly in the future electricity market," says business developer Marius &Oslash;xenberg at Fjordkraft.
In the initial phase, users will receive recommendations about which day is the cheapest for charging and which days it's not advisable to charge, up to five days in advance. Volue's analysis shows that this first service alone could reduce the annual charging cost for a typical electric car owner by 1,000 Norwegian kroner.
<h2>First step</h2>
The long-term forecast that Fjordkraft is now launching is just the first step. The next step is for consumers to receive reduced grid fees by implementing "smart grid charging" in areas where the power grid is at its limit. Volue estimates that this could provide an additional annual saving of 1,500 kroner or more for a typical electric car owner.
"We are actively working on such solutions in collaboration with the grid companies Norgesnett, Lede, and Tensio. These grid companies are proactive in the green shift and show a strong willingness to facilitate solar power on all buildings in their network area. It won't be long before we see this solution on the market," predicts Storset, who leads Volue's <a href="https://www.volue.com/spark">Spark partner ecosystem</a> for smart energy solutions at the neighbourhood level.
<h2>Solar requires flexibility</h2>
The installation of solar panels on rooftops will, more than anything, drive the need for smart neighbourhood solutions. As more and more people install solar production on their roofs, in many places, there will be more production than the current grid can handle. As an alternative to building new or reinforcing the grid, grid companies can create more flexibility in the neighbourhood's use of electricity.
"In essence, you will get paid by the local grid company for being flexible. It is cheaper for grid companies to pay people to use electricity during the day when solar production is high than to expand the grid everywhere," says Storset.

Related products

Several providers offer smart charging for electric cars. However, today's solutions are not particularly intelligent. Volue and Norwegian utility Fjordkraft have taken the first steps towards future smart charging, which can save electric car owners a significant amount of money.

Smart Charging not as Smart as You Think

Man using app for smart EV charging

Smart Charging not as Smart as you Think

<h2>Gas Risks Real, but Exaggerated</h2>
European gas markets have seen a volatile start to the winter season, with geopolitical developments sparking supply fears. The pipeline damage between Finland and Estonia brings back memories from the Nord Stream sabotage one year ago, highlighting infrastructure risk. Another cause for worry is the chance of escalation of the war in the Middle East, potentially disrupting the wider energy complex. On the fundamental side, Norwegian gas exports were at multi-year low levels in September.
However, Norwegian exports have recovered, and the fundamental impacts from geopolitical events are small so far. The pipeline damage in the Gulf of Finland may have been caused by an accident, not sabotage. An escalation of the Middle East war to the point where shipping routes are closed off is unlikely. A risk premium in the market is certainly justified, but it may be somewhat exaggerated. We have a slightly bearish view for gas prices this coming winter compared to the market.
<h2>Carbon Market Adjustments</h2>
As we earlier this year have seen medium term and long-term policy developments being settled, the market has increasingly been focused on demand side fundamentals this autumn. Developments in coal to gas fuel switching prices have often impacted carbon prices over the last months. Over the course of the last 12 months, we see that fundamentals have been pointing much in the bearish direction, and the market is now well aware that emission levels for 2023 will drop tremendously from 2022. Due to the weak economic outlooks affecting emissions, we are expecting carbon prices towards the end of the year to turn out well below the average level of the last couple of months.
<h2>Nordic Energy Consumption Trends</h2>
We will probably see the lowest consumption in 20 years for both Europe as a total and for the Nordic region. We still see further reduction in the consumption compared to last year for many countries. However, some countries have slowly started to increase consumption during the past month. Low consumption and some improvement in nuclear and hydro, in addition to new renewable production from solar and wind generation, have contributed to massive downscaling of the thermal production this year. We are now facing a total forecast of 280TWh reduction in production from gas, coal and lignite in Europe this year.
<a href="https://www.volue.com/events/market-expert-view-central-and-western-europe">Do you want more insights into the European market outlook? Sign up for our next webinar here.</a>

In the Autumn sessions of the Market Expert View, a comprehensive analysis was presented, encompassing the volatility in the European gas markets, the shifting dynamics of carbon pricing, and the anticipated record low energy consumption in the Nordic region. Here is some of the key takeaways form our two sessions.

Gas Concerns Inflated, Carbon Prices to Fall, Nordic Consumption at 20-Year Low

Richard Schytte, who previously held the role of Volue&rsquo;s VP of Nordic Sales, will now take on the CCO position, while Roland Peetz, who has been Volue&rsquo;s SVP for Trading Solutions, will become SVP of Volue Energy Software. This new product line will see the merger of what were previously two separate entities: Trading Solutions and Energy Solutions. &nbsp;
&nbsp;Richard will be based in Volue&rsquo;s Oslo headquarters, while Roland will operate from the company&rsquo;s Munich base. Both senior hires will support Volue&rsquo;s strategic focus and vision: to be the number one software and software-backed service provider to the European energy system by 2030.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Trond Straume, CEO, Volue, had this to say on the new product line and appointments. He said: &ldquo;I am delighted to have secured Richard and Roland for their respective positions. Each brings a level of experience, expertise and knowledge to our senior management team, which will greatly enhance our day-to-day, operational and strategic offering.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&ldquo;As CEO of Volue, I have long emphasised the value and importance I place in our people. Across the business, from Europe, the Nordics and East Asia, the team all work together with a dedication, talent, and drive to create success and unlock extraordinary value for our customers. I welcome Richard and Roland to their new roles with this context firmly in mind.&nbsp;
&nbsp;&ldquo;Volue has strong ambitions to deliver value across the entire green energy value chain, and a natural step to support that was by combining our optimisation and trading solutions. With the move to Volue Energy Software, we will join forces, capacity, and competencies to become the leading vendor in this space. These senior appointments will support that.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Volue&rsquo;s market-leading products optimise energy production, trading, distribution and consumption. Among its international energy customers are eight of the ten largest European utilities. Volue also serves most of the Nordic grid operators and has a strong position among Norwegian municipalities, construction, and infrastructure developers.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Volue (OSE: VOLUE) is a market leader in technologies and services that power the green transition. Based on 50 years of experience, Volue provides innovative solutions, systems and insights to industries critical to society. Over 800 employees work with more than 2,500 customers across energy, power grid, water and infrastructure projects that ensure a sustainable, flexible and reliable future. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and is active in 40+ countries. &nbsp;
 <o:p></o:p>

Volue, a market leader in technologies and services that enable its customers to succeed in the energy transition, has announced the appointment of its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), and Senior Vice President (SVP) for its Energy Software product line. 

Volue Strengthens its Leadership Structure with a Duo of Senior Appointments  

Jens had this to say.&nbsp;
&ldquo;For decades, electricity utilities have thrived on a bedrock of stability, where ideas of 'next year will be like the last' echoed through the industry. Predictable productions, loads, and grid operations were the norm. However, as the high-scale introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaic (PV) systems sweeps across the energy landscape, that stability has become a distant memory, giving way to a new era of uncertainty and transformative challenges.&nbsp;
&ldquo;This transformation is placing unprecedented demands on the electric grid, which must now transport significantly more energy while contending with volatile energy production and consumption patterns.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The result? A surge in customer connectivity requests, a cascade of grid reinforcement projects, and a shift toward operating the grid at greater demands than ever before. The IT solutions of today, once reliable, are no longer equipped to meet the challenges of this evolving landscape. As such, our grid operations must undergo a profound reinvention.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Where to Find the Fix for Evolving Electric Utilities?&nbsp;
The solutions to these emerging challenges are far from straightforward, and there's no one-size-fits-all formula to address them. However, one thing remains crystal clear: the industry veterans who have been delivering consultancy, software, and hardware, and who have been fixtures in the industry for decades, must be willing to step out of their comfort zones to provide the necessary solutions.&nbsp;
Jens takes up the story.&nbsp;
&ldquo;To navigate these uncharted waters, it's important to cast a wider net, exploring the market for fresh perspectives, drawing inspiration and insights from diverse sources, and acknowledging that solving these challenges demands an open-minded approach, collaborative efforts, a readiness to take calculated risks, and substantial investment,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Jens adds, &ldquo;Failing to embrace change in a timely manner could leave electric distribution companies grappling with monumental hurdles and significantly higher costs down the road&rdquo;.&nbsp;
Embracing the Future: Automation and the Digital Twin will be Essential for Meeting Utility Challenges&nbsp;
Regardless of the vendor or specific IT solution, the linchpin of the future lies in automation, specifically driven by data for grid optimisation and operation. This data-driven operation, in turn, hinges on the availability of thorough, well-structured, high-quality information encompassing the entire grid&mdash;a concept that we at Volue refer to as the digital twin.&nbsp;
Jens explains the importance of digital twin modelling below.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;A digital twin serves as a meticulous digital replica of the entire grid infrastructure. Within this virtual realm, each cable within the grid is meticulously documented, including its precise geometry and essential property data such as commissioning date, cable type, and electric characteristics. This comprehensive documentation extends to encompass connections with other grid components.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Similarly, detailed documentation is maintained for substations, down to the specifics of the transformers, breakers, fuses, and their interconnections, both internally and with external cables and overhead lines. In essence, every individual component and line that constitutes the grid is meticulously catalogued, along with its network of connectivity, spanning from high voltage down to medium and low voltage segments. Typically, such a comprehensive digital twin is maintained within a Geographic Information System (GIS) solution or a Network Information System (NIS).&nbsp;
&ldquo;The utility of this digital twin is profound, serving as the bedrock for a wide range of grid analyses. It enables precise electric calculations, facilitates robust risk assessments, and offers a dynamic platform for sharing critical information with field personnel. Moreover, it empowers field workers to actively participate in the maintenance and update of grid data, fostering a collaborative approach to grid management.&rdquo;&nbsp;
In the face of the significantly amplified challenges confronting electric utilities, this digital twin emerges as the cornerstone for effectively controlling both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX), ensuring the industry's resilience in the midst of transformation.&nbsp;
Unleashing Volue Expertise in Tackling Electric Utility's Market Challenges&nbsp;
Volue&rsquo;s extensive business knowledge capabilities are poised to make a significant impact in tackling the challenges outlined in the market.&nbsp;
Volue has established itself as the foremost vendor in the well-developed Scandinavian market since the 1980s. Through strategic acquisitions, we have cultivated an extensive knowledge base and a diverse array of capabilities that are highly relevant to the development of future-proof solutions.&nbsp;
Volue&rsquo;s power grid portfolio includes load and production forecasting, energy trading, comprehensive grid documentation, precise grid calculations, efficient grid connection management, meticulous grid planning, and effective grid maintenance, as well as many other solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of the sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To find out how we can support your power grid requirements, <a href="https://www.volue.com/contact-us">please contact us today</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In our next article, &ldquo;Navigating the Digital Frontier: Unleashing the Power of Digital Twins with Volue's Expertise&rdquo;, we'll delve deeper into the concept of the digital twin, make a compelling case for considering ArcGIS Utility Network as your platform of choice, and demonstrate how Volue outperforms the competition by delivering best-in-class migrations with unmatched speed and quality.&nbsp;

From Watts to Weather  

In the first of a series of articles, Jens Dalsgaard, Principle Product Owner, Power Grid, Volue, gives his thoughts on whether traditional utility models are still viable in a rooftop solar and EV world.  

In the first of a series of articles, Jens Dalsgaard, Principle Product Owner, Power Grid, Volue, gives his thoughts on whether traditional utility models are still viable in a rooftop solar and EV world.  

From Watts to Weather  

We understand that the intraday power markets are highly volatile, characterised by ever-increasing turnover. With each passing year, they steadily become faster and more complex.&nbsp;
Since 2014, we have supported our customers to fully and reliably automate their continuous spot trading in this highly dynamic environment. This activity has seen users across Europe enhance their earning potential through innovative and productive fields of action in short-term power trading.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Following significant research and planning, we will now introduce our Volue Algo Trader Power (VATP) solution to the Iberian market, supporting the growth of the sector as we do so. We have seen <a href="https://www.omie.es/es/market-results/interannual/continuous-intradaily-market/monthly-traded-energy-trading-area?scope=interannual">significant increases </a>in the GWh traded in the continuous intraday market in OMIE, and the introduction of VATP will support that growth.&nbsp;
With VATP, customers can individually parameterise the algorithms and start trading immediately, delivering an extremely reliable platform to automate the intraday trading.&nbsp;

Senior Vice President Trading Solutions at Volue

<h2>Meeting the Iberian Peninsula&rsquo;s green ambitions&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
This decision was made following significant research and planning, with a full understanding of Portugal and Spain&rsquo;s green ambitions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
2023 has seen Portugal and Spain reaffirm their commitment to delivering a sustainable and economically viable green transition. The <a href="https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/implementation-eu-countries/energy-and-climate-governance-and-reporting/national-energy-and-climate-plans_en#national-energy-and-climate-plans-2021-2030">European Union&rsquo;s</a> national energy and climate plans (NECPs) outline how each EU country intends to address various dimensions of the energy union, including decarbonisation and addressing internal energy markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With that context in mind, Portugal has aims to more than double its 2030 goals for solar energy capacity, stating in its NECP: &lsquo;&hellip;<a href="https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/implementation-eu-countries/energy-and-climate-governance-and-reporting/national-energy-and-climate-plans_en#national-energy-and-climate-plans-2021-2030">the challenge of decarbonisation and the energy transition is an opportunity to leverage the national economy in a sustainable development spirit and based on a just and cohesive transition</a>.&rsquo;&nbsp;
Spain has also outlined plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The country has an ambitious strategy to deliver a renewable energy framework that can provide a large percentage of its power generation. The Spanish Government&rsquo;s <a href="https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-07/EN_SPAIN%20DRAFT%20UPDATED%20NECP.pdf">Strategic Framework for Energy and Climate</a>, contains several strategic and legislative elements aimed at identifying the main lines of action on the path towards climate neutrality.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With these clear ambitions paired with significant activity to date, both countries are developing into renewable energy leaders in Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Smart Power continues to deliver success&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
This year saw the announcement that Spanish energy giant <a href="https://www.volue.com/news/iberdrola-digitalises-power-production-planning-with-volue">Iberdrola</a> had signed a framework agreement with us for the short-term production planning and optimisation of its power plant portfolio with <a href="https://www.volue.com/news/volue-launches-smart-power-automate-power-production-planning-and-trading">Volue Smart Power</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Energy management is at the core of Iberdrola&rsquo;s business and Volue supports all energy management business processes, including the short-term production planning, the creation of bidding strategies, trading and monetising available flexibility and scheduling for all the different energy markets where Iberdrola is active.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Our activities with Iberdrola illustrate that Volue is very much at the heart of Iberia&rsquo;s energy sector. Our Iberian HQ sits at the heart of Spain&rsquo;s capital, Madrid, with a local Spanish workforce operating on the ground. Not only that, but several Iberian companies already use our Insight data, across power and gas market fundamentals and price forecasts.&nbsp;
<h2>Volue will continue to support Iberian activity&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Volue is already widely recognised and regarded within markets accessible through the Pan-European exchanges of Nord Pool and EPEX. Our sizeable Iberian operations also continue to support us in meeting our strategic focus and vision: to be the number one software and software-backed service provider to the European energy system by 2030.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The introduction of our algo trading software in the continuous intraday market of OMIE not only consolidates our position in Iberia, but it also provides a further platform for the region to meet its green ambitions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

We understand that the intraday power markets are highly volatile, characterised by ever-increasing turnover. With each passing year, they steadily become faster and more complex. 

Since 2014, we have supported our customers to fully and reliably automate their continuous spot trading in this highly dynamic environment. This activity has seen users across Europe enhance their earning potential through innovative and productive fields of action in short-term power trading.  

Volue consolidates its Iberian presence by launching algo trading software in the continuous intraday market of OMIE. 

Volue consolidates its Iberian presence

Volue Consolidates its Iberian Presence

The journey began with a vision to merge and mobility, leading to the development of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mobee.no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mobee app</a>, a brainchild of a collaboration between Trondheim municipality, the technology company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fourc.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FourC</a>, and Spark by Volue.
<h2>Unveiling the Vision: A Confluence of Energy and Mobility</h2>
Klaus Livik, an innovation advisor at Trondheim municipality, explains how the project was born out of the City Exchange program, a collaborative effort towards a more sustainable city.

Tor Rune Skoglund, the CEO of FourC that developed the application, wanted to empower citizens to make informed decisions about their transportation choices while reducing their carbon footprint.
The journey wasn't without its challenges. The project required a holistic approach, engaging various stakeholders who were initially hesitant to share data due to concerns about business interests. Klaus noted the pivotal role played by Trondheim municipality as a neutral partner, advocating for the greater good and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Overcoming these obstacles was essential to creating a unified platform that could serve the community's diverse needs.
Aligning stakeholders and defining the project's citizen-centric approach was vital to set the tone for success.

<h2>Power Forecast as Bill Reducing Tool</h2>
As the project progressed, the Mobee app emerged as a versatile tool that not only helps people navigate the city but also navigate high power prices.
The app's integration with Spark&rsquo;s energy forecasting APIs allows users to optimise their power consumption habits. Charging their EVs, or starting the washing cycle based on the forecast reduces their bills and contributes to a more stable and sustainable grid while speeding up the green shift.

<h2>The Road Ahead: Scaling and Enhancing the Mobee Experience</h2>
As the Mobee app takes its first steps toward broader adoption, the focus remains on expanding its offerings and enhancing the user experience. Tor Rune envisions a future where Mobee integrates even more services, leveraging the evolving landscape of mobility and electrification.

As the project continues to mature and scale, it serves as an example of how innovation can be harnessed to create meaningful change in communities. The path to a more sustainable future is paved with initiatives where technology, collaboration, and a citizen-centric approach converge to make a lasting impact.

An exciting initiative has been taking shape in the city of Trondheim, Norway, changing how citizens interact with their environment and make conscious choices about their mobility habits.

Empowering Citizens Through Price Forecasting: The Mobee App Story

Volue is leading the energy markets&rsquo; transition to robust and sustainable services critical for society. Because of our work across the energy sector and critical infrastructure, we consider cybersecurity a high priority. Stringent and well-planned cybersecurity measures are critical to prevent cyberattacks that could disrupt essential services, impact our customers, compromise safety, and have far-reaching economic and societal consequences.
<h2>Threats are constantly evolving</h2>
&ldquo;To provide a context to the challenges all sectors are facing, it&rsquo;s important to emphasise that cyberattacks are on the rise, with a relentless surge in frequency and sophistication. This trend can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the ever-expanding digital landscape offers a broader framework for cybercriminals to exploit, including an increase in collaboration apps like Microsoft Teams, IoT devices, and cloud infrastructure,&rdquo; says Brynjar Larssen-Aas.
&ldquo;Secondly, the proliferation of hacking tools and malware is making it easier for both novice and experienced hackers to launch attacks. An example we&rsquo;ve seen recently is with multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, significantly bolsters security, but recently we&rsquo;ve seen that it's not impervious to phishing attacks. While MFA makes it harder for attackers by requiring a second authentication factor, some advanced tactics can bypass it. This is one of several threats that we are closely monitoring and that we have taken concrete measures to protect against,&rdquo; notes Brynjar.
<h2>Enhanced cybersecurity measures</h2>
The interconnectedness of our modern world and our reliance on technology underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to combat ongoing and ever-changing threats. Brynjar explains what this means for Volue. &ldquo;In the most basic terms, it&rsquo;s about working with a key set of processes and procedures. We have frameworks in place that are shared widely with our employees. In my own role and as a business, we place a strong emphasis on cybersecurity readiness, recognising that it demands investments in both technology and training,&rdquo; notes Brynjar. He adds: &ldquo;In many situations, the simple act of being aware can have tremendous value . Cybersecurity awareness is an essential component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. It empowers individuals within a company to become the first line of defense against cyber threats, reducing vulnerabilities, minimising risks, and safeguarding sensitive information." &ldquo;We are committed to reinforcing security measures not only for our internal operations but also for the services and products we provide on behalf of our valued customers. Safeguarding digital assets remains a top priority for Volue, underscoring our dedication to maintaining trust and protection in the digital age."
<h2>Looking to the future</h2>
Following a ransomware attack in 2021, Volue has built back to a better, stronger, and more secure place. We've bolstered our infrastructure by migrating it onto the unified Volue IT platform, reinforcing the security of our services and data.
With our 24/7/365 Security Operations Center monitoring service in place, we also maintain an increased, vigilant oversight. Additionally, we actively contribute our cybersecurity expertise at various security forums and place a high priority on all security aspects, including bug fixes, source code and third-party asset management, and robust vulnerability control.
When asked about his best advice to companies who are looking to upgrade their security posture, Brynjar Larssen-Aas says that there is no silver bullet when it comes to information security:
&ldquo;There are hundreds of different actions to take that would improve a company&rsquo;s security, and instead of highlighting one or two of these, I would advise to follow a security framework, as it will help any organisation to discover new, and map all their existing security actions in a logical structure.
As an example, Volue is certified on ISO 27001, but we also use the NIST Cyber Security framework (CSF) because of its logical setup throughout the five pillars&nbsp;Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover."
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s fair to say that 9 out of 10 cyberattacks involve some sort of human factor. Of course, it&rsquo;s extremely important that as a supplier of critical infrastructure, we must continue to be as secure as possible. In my opinion, that starts with balancing secure technology and awareness, working together as a team, being vigilant and undertaking ongoing training. We will continue to protect ourselves and our customers as we do so,&rdquo; concludes Brynjar Larssen-Aas.

October is International Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a dedicated month for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. We spoke with Brynjar Larssen-Aas, Volue’s Chief Information Security Officer, to discuss an overview of the current cybersecurity landscape, the most common threats, and how Volue continues to respond to these.

International Cybersecurity Awareness Month: A Conversation with Volue's CISO

Brynjar Larssen-Aas, Chief Information Security Officer

Founded in 2010,&nbsp;<a href="https://evbox.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EVBox</a>&nbsp;is a leader in offering electric vehicle charging solutions. It has delivered over 500,000 charging ports to its partners and customers globally. The solutions EVBox offers include charging stations for residential, commercial, and fast-charging network usage, as well as charging management software.
Spark by Volue is an ecosystem of partnerships and services that seamlessly integrate connected resources &ndash; such as rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles &ndash; within a sustainable and scalable neighbourhood energy system.
The ecosystem was introduced to enable automakers, EV fleets, and charging operators to provide their customers with even greater value, helping them to remain competitive and profitable.  The Spark partner ecosystem, now spanning Europe and the Nordics, is dedicated to maximising the potential of smart charging services.
On the announcement,&nbsp;Kjetil Storset, Spark Lead at&nbsp;Volue&nbsp;said: "Through the power of partnership, we're driving innovation in the world of electric vehicle charging. By harnessing the insights of volatile energy prices and grid constraints, courtesy of Spark, we empower partners to choose the optimal moments to charge EVs, not only saving on their energy costs but also nurturing a greener, more sustainable energy landscape.
&ldquo;We are delighted to see this partnership grow with today&rsquo;s announcement. EVBox strives to empower society to embrace electric mobility and their vision, paired with those in our Spark ecosystem, will support the seamless integration of connected resources within a sustainable and scalable neighbourhood energy system.&rdquo;
Geir Bj&oslash;rnstad Regional Director Nordics at EVBox, added: &ldquo;We are very happy to be collaborating with Volue with whom we share the mission to provide solutions for a sustainable future. We believe that we&rsquo;ve entered the electric era where electric driving is becoming the new norm. Integrated and connected solutions are needed to make this transition for current and future electric car drivers as seamless as possible.&rdquo;

Volue (OSE: VOLUE) is a market leader in technologies and services that power the green transition. Based on 50 years of experience, Volue provides innovative solutions, systems and insights to industries critical to society. Over 800 employees work with more than 2,500 customers across energy, power grid, water and infrastructure projects that ensure a sustainable, flexible and reliable future. The company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and is active in 40+ countries.

To build a sustainable future, EVBox empowers businesses and drivers to embrace electric mobility. EVBox&rsquo;s charging solutions lay the foundations for a world where electric mobility is the new normal by giving EV drivers the ability to charge with confidence, allowing businesses to easily enter the market and scale their offering as demand grows, and evolving with the rapid pace of innovation. Founded in 2010, EVBox is now a market leader in electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVSE) who has delivered over 500,000 charging ports to partners and customers globally. The solutions EVBox is offering include charging stations for residential, commercial, and fast-charging network usage, as well as charging management software. More information can be found on <a href="http://evbox.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EVBox.com</a>.

About EVBox

<h2>Further information</h2>
For further enquiries, please contact Blair Grant, Senior Communications Manager, Volue.
Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:blair.cameron.grant@volue.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blair.cameron.grant@volue.com</a>

Volue, a market leader in technologies and services that enable its customers to succeed in the energy transition, has announced that EVBox has joined its Spark partner ecosystem.

Volue Expands its Spark Ecosystem With the Inclusion of EVBox

Volue Smart Power is our next generation software solution that automates and optimises production, planning, bidding and trading. Following years of hard work, paired with an understanding of the requirements of power producers, it was launched to the market in 2023. Developed and introduced to address the ever-increasing complexity of the power markets, it enables our customers to fully leverage the value of their energy assets.
By automating the entire end-to-end process of optimisation, production planning, and trading, Smart Power has empowered users to navigate volatile power markets with confidence. To support that further, the platform&rsquo;s ability to enhance existing assets is also supporting resource efficiency, highlighting our strong focus on sustainable practices.
Some highlights of&nbsp;the Volue Smart Power software solution include:
<ul>
 <li>Comprehensive multi-asset support, including hydro, thermal, batteries and renewables</li>
 <li>Economic and physical dispatch of complex power assets</li>
 <li>Scalable data management, especially valuable when dealing with renewable energy portfolios</li>
 <li>Workflow enabling full automation of the short-term asset-backed trading process</li>
 <li>Openness through APIs to connect with external software</li>
</ul>
What&rsquo;s more, did you know that eight of the ten largest utilities in Europe already rely on Volue&rsquo;s software, and more than 350 TWh of annual power generation is planned and optimised using Volue solutions?&nbsp;Camilla Thorrud Larsen, Senior Vice President, Energy Solutions, Volue, adds more.
Camilla, said: &ldquo;Volue Smart Power was introduced to meet the ongoing challenges of power generation planning and trading. Its use optimises asset portfolios and connects them with the power markets, resulting in maximised value and increased efficiency. I am delighted to welcome our customers to Oslo in September who I know first-hand are already seeing the benefits of this innovative solution.
&ldquo;By automating and optimising the production planning and trading processes, we have enabled users to capture the full value of their assets in the power markets. We look forward to meeting Smart Power users at Volue Energy Days, to discuss the key issues facing our industry, provide market outlooks and deliver our roadmap for our products and platforms moving forward.&rdquo;
Stefan Z&auml;hringer, VP Sales Europe &amp; General Manager Germany and Switzerland at Volue, said: &ldquo;While this is a perfect opportunity to showcase our solutions and share ideas and strategies amongst the industry, ultimately this is about welcoming and showing appreciation for our Smart Power customers. By working together and continuing our close collaboration, we can ensure increased value creation, efficiencies and profitability, both now and in the future.&rdquo;

We’re looking forward to this year’s Volue Energy Days, set to be held in Oslo from the 25th to 26th September. Developed with our Smart Power users in mind, the two-day event is sure to provide the perfect platform to meet our Nordic and Continental European customer group. Together, we’ll discuss sector challenges, outline strategies, and showcase existing solutions and technologies.

Smart Power Customers Set to Gather for Volue Energy Days 2023

Volue Energy Days 2023

As the operator of CHEMPARK&rsquo;s three sites in North Rhine-Westphalia, CURRENTA has primary responsibility for providing the production companies there with an adequate and affordable supply of process steam and electricity. CURRENTA uses a wide portfolio of generation technologies including conventional cogeneration, modern CCGT and Power-to-Heat plants. It also makes use of the sites&rsquo; waste heat. CURRENTA uses Volue&rsquo;s intelligent BoFiT software to ensure that the flexibility of the entire generation portfolio &ndash; especially the cogeneration plants &ndash; is optimally deployed. BoFiT allows the power plants to respond to variable production demand and in particular to fluctuating energy market prices efficiently and on a daily basis.
<h2>BoFiT optimisation harnesses cogeneration plant flexibility</h2>
The power plants operated by CURRENTA work with a mix of electricity, steam, heat and other media such as cold and compressed air. While this makes for complex plant operating parameters, it also creates opportunities for flexible management. The parameters for managing deployment of the flexibility available throughout the entire CHEMPARK are calculated using mathematical optimisation models developed by CURRENTA in the BoFiT system. In addition to the cogeneration plants, the daily optimiations also cover Power-to-Heat plants and the waste heat from the sites&rsquo; production companies. 
<h2>Simulating gas shortages</h2>
These models have proven especially valuable in recent times, when the threat of gas shortages has loomed large. Since summer 2022, weekly gas shortage simulations have modeled how the CHEMPARK could efficiently implement potential gas curtailment measures. The CHEMPARK companies have been providing their steam demand forecasts via a digital platform so that the models can calculate the necessary energy input for the power plants. This close cooperation has helped the companies to make appropriate provisions for gas shortage scenarios.
<h2>Intraday trading and optimised marketing</h2>
Another focus is on engaging in short-term, intraday trading that can take place up to five minutes before delivery. CURRENTA is already trading on the intraday market at the Dormagen site. Self-configured trading algorithms automatically provide the results of the continuous intraday power plant dispatch planning to the EPEX SPOT intraday market via a direct interface.
<h2>The long-term perspective:impacts of investments to reduce CO2 emissions</h2>
The optimisation models&rsquo; uses are by no means confined to short-term issues. They can also be employed to estimate the impacts of future investments, for example investments in additional Power-to-Heat plants to reduce the CO2&nbsp;emissions associated with steam production. This will be key to meeting the CHEMPARK&rsquo;s overall emission reduction targets over the coming years.
<h2>Supplying energy sustainably and efficiently</h2>
&ldquo;Mathematical optimisation models provide CURRENTA with another valuable tool for supplying energy sustainably and efficiently to the CHEMPARK&rdquo;, says CURRENTA Business Line Head Energy Solutions, Dr. Ulrich Lohmann. &ldquo;Our close cooperation with the CHEMPARK companies and our ongoing use of innovative technologies allow us to respond effectively to the challenges of a constantly shifting energy landscape.&rdquo;

Sustainable Solutions For Energy Landscape Challenges

Bofit Optimisation And Mathematical Modeling Enable Efficient Energy Supply In The Chempark

Optimised dispatch of power plants, energy storage systems and similar assets is standard practice in the energy industry. It enables better use of the energy, better sale and purchase prices on the power exchanges, and the marketing of flexibility on the balancing energy market. But specific expertise is required for these optimisation solutions. So what can companies do if they want to optimise the operation and marketing of their energy assets but do not have enough resources with expert know-how? This was the question facing Swiss waste management companies Satom SA (Monthey) and Renergia Zentralschweiz AG (Perlen). Both companies wanted to optimise the deployment of their assets and leverage the potential to market their flexibility in order to boost their revenue and participate in the balancing energy market.

<h2>Optimising energy asset marketing without expert know-how</h2>
Rytec AG (M&uuml;nsingen, Switzerland) helped the two companies find the solution they were looking for. Rytec specialises in strategic asset planning and design and in consultancy services for the energy and waste management industry. It offered to work with the two waste management companies to develop an optimisation solution tailored to their specific needs. &ldquo;This idea eventually led to today&rsquo;s Energy Cockpit, which is based on Volue BoFiT and the Volue Thedora Dashboard&rdquo;, says Rytec&rsquo;s J&ouml;rg Boltshauser.

<h2>An optimisation solution covering different sectors</h2>
The first step was for the project participants to define their requirements. As Boltshauser explains, it wasn&rsquo;t just a case of optimising a waste management plant vis-&agrave;-vis the market:
&ldquo;While the companies obviously wanted to optimise the utilisation of the electricity and heat generated, they also wanted to incorporate power-to-heat and thermal storage systems, as well as power-to-gas or power-to-hydrogen systems, cogeneration plants and peak load boilers in the future. CO2&nbsp;emissions were also an important consideration right from the outset.&rdquo;
In other words, the aim was to develop an optimisation solution that covered different sectors and asset types and took several different factors into account:
<ul>
 <li>Supply obligations to municipalities and industrial enterprises</li>
 <li>Changes in district heating network demand depending on the weather, season and time of day</li>
 <li>Leveraging of flexible asset components</li>
 <li>Variability in waste input availability</li>
 <li>Prices on the power exchange and balancing energy market</li>
 <li>Technical constraints of the different assets</li>
 <li>Power plant availability (maintenance downtime, etc.)</li>
 <li>Readiness of storage, boiler and P2X systems</li>
</ul>

<h2>High performance requirements</h2>
To meet these requirements, the Energy Cockpit must process large volumes of data, employ multiple models and generate numerous forecasts, e.g. for heat demand, process steam demand and market price trends. &ldquo;The Energy Cockpit had to process extensive time series, generate or incorporate forecasts and be able to recommend optimizations based on complex asset models and interconnections.&rdquo; 

<h2>Volue&rsquo;s experience and mature solution prove decisive</h2>
Once the requirements had been established, Rytec conducted a market research process and contacted 16 optimisation solution providers. The prequalification process identified three particularly strong candidates, including Volue.
According to J&ouml;rg Boltshauser, it is easy to see why Volue was eventually chosen as the provider: &ldquo;The company had extensive references and decades of optimisation experience. Volue stood out as the only provider able to offer a simple and intuitive user interface. And a visit to a reference customer who uses Volue&rsquo;s BoFiT convinced us that this solution would meet our needs.&rdquo;

<h2>Dispatch based on modeling, actual data and forecasts</h2>
BoFiT generates asset dispatch recommendations using a model that incorporates variables such as supply obligations, marketing opportunities and technical constraints. Since the optimisation is updated at regular short intervals, the asset fleet can be marketed on the spot market as well as over the medium to long term. BoFiT includes an extensive library for asset and constraint modeling. The modeling interface allows the individual components to be easily modified and the relevant interconnections to be generated, creating an accurate model of each individual system. Subsequent modifications of the model are of course also possible, as is the addition of new asset components. These changes can also be used to simulate what-if scenarios in long-term models. &ldquo;This can be useful for assessing the profitability of investments, for example&rdquo;, says Boltshauser.

<h2>&ldquo;Thedora&rdquo;: The user-friendly human-machine interface</h2>
Since BoFiT is designed for energy experts and traders, it was not suitable for implementing the Energy Cockpit on its own. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have specialists like this in our waste management businesses. The plant manager or shift supervisor must be able to use the system with a minimum of training&rdquo;, explains Rytec&rsquo;s Boltshauser. &ldquo;So we needed a simple human-machine interface.&rdquo;
The user interface solution is called Thedora Dashboard. This new, multifunctional Volue tool was specially developed for the Swiss project. The Thedora Dashboard:
<ul>
 <li>Provides a simple and intuitive production planning interface</li>
 <li>Presents dispatch decision-making criteria such as returns, potential risks, etc.</li>
 <li>Allows authorizations for dispatch and power schedule reports to be displayed for the appropriate level</li>
 <li>Provides an overview of concluded contracts</li>
 <li>Displays a comparison of production data against schedules</li>
 <li>Provides a planning overview that covers different scenarios</li>
 <li>Provides interfaces with other systems</li>
 <li>Acts as an input mask for reporting asset maintenance times and outages</li>
</ul>
The Thedora Dashboard features user-friendly widgets. &ldquo;The dashboard reduces BoFiT&rsquo;s complexity so that it can also be used by non-experts&rdquo;, says Boltshauser. Users can configure the widgets to create their own personalised operating interface. Because the Cockpit also communicates with the control system, it can display current asset operating data and, conversely, provide the schedules required by the control system.

<h2>The Energy Cockpit: A multi-client SaaS solution</h2>
Thanks to the Thedora Dashboard, the BoFiT optimisation software effectively runs in the background. The cloud-based system is multi-client enabled. In cooperation with Volue, Rytec offers BoFiT and Thedora as a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution so that the user doesn&rsquo;t have to worry about operation or maintenance and updates. &ldquo;Because it&rsquo;s a multi-client solution, the system can be shared by several users, which helps to keep costs down.&rdquo; And it is no longer just the companies that initiated the Energy Cockpit, Satom and Renergia, who are benefiting from these economies of scale &ndash; they have now been joined by Future Hub Region Thun AG, GEKAL (KVA Buchs AG) and other waste incineration, cogeneration and district heating plant operators in the region.
The Energy Cockpit provides users with robust demand and revenue forecasts that help them to produce next-day dispatch plans and take advantage of favorable opportunities on the spot and balancing energy markets during operating hours. The Energy Cockpit also helps to optimise profitability outside of the day shift, since resource planning for the evening and night is also based on the forecasts.

Jörg Boltshauser, Rytec

Pooling enables better use of potential in the waste management sector and industry 
Pooling reduces the cost of acquiring the Energy Cockpit, while the operating, IT security and further development costs can be divided by the number clients. &ldquo;The optimised dispatch, leveraging of flexibility and spot market marketing opportunities all boost the bottom line&rdquo;, says Boltshauser. &ldquo;So other waste incineration plant operators could also benefit from this optimisation solution.&rdquo;
However, according to the energy expert, it is not only waste management companies or district heating network operators who can use the system. &ldquo;The Energy Cockpit based on BoFiT and Thedora also offers benefits for industry. If industrial power plants have free flexibility, this can be marketed without limiting their own usage. By the same token, the Energy Cockpit helps users decide whether it is worth using cogeneration plants to meet pure electricity demand or whether it would be cheaper to buy the electricity in. And the modeling enables long-term forecasts that allow the profitability of investments in energy and infrastructure assets to be assessed more accurately.&rdquo;

<a href="https://satomsa.ch/">https://satomsa.ch</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.renergia.ch/">https://www.renergia.ch</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://rytec.ch/">https://rytec.ch</a>

More about Satomsa, Renergia and Rytec

Renate Hermanns

Head of Marketing Europe

Oliver Ashrafi

Key Account Manager

Learn more about Volue BoFiT

Volue solution boosts the bottom line of waste management companies and industry.

Market Energy More Profitably – With the Energy Cockpit

Optimising energy

Each year, we welcome some of the brightest young minds to our business as part of Volue&rsquo;s internship programme. Every summer, those taking part get the opportunity to transform their academic knowledge into tangible business experience. &nbsp;
As we go through this journey together, our interns have the chance to learn from Volue&rsquo;s experts, contribute to real-time projects, and make meaningful networks along the way.
Petter Lauvrak, who worked with the team at Volue Insight, said:
&ldquo;When working as a summer intern at Volue, I felt like I was really contributing to the company and that my work was appreciated and used. The best thing about the internship has been the good vibe we have had at the office and on social gatherings, both among the students and also the full-time employees.&rdquo;
Oskar V&aring;le, who also worked with the Volue Insight team, had this to say:
&ldquo;Being an intern at Volue has been a great experience. I learned a lot, got to work on very fun projects, and even got some inspiration for my master&rsquo;s thesis. The best thing about the internship though, was the people. I had some great colleagues that taught me a lot and made me feel part of the team.&rdquo;
Haakon Lauvrak, spoke about one of his favourite pieces of work:
&ldquo;One of my most significant projects was a net scraping job. In this project, we gathered data on power plants, then matched the data we discovered with the existing data in our database.&rdquo;
He added: &ldquo;Being an intern at Volue was a highly enriching experience. From day one, I felt integrated into the team and appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and wonderful colleagues. The best aspect of my internship was undoubtedly the hands-on experience of working on real tasks. I found the projects not only to be challenging but also incredibly interesting and enjoyable. The chance to see my work be of actual value to the company and its operations was truly rewarding.&rdquo;
Iver Gr&oslash;nlien, who also worked with our Insight team in Arendal, had this to say of his experience:
&ldquo;Working as an intern at Volue was great, since I got to take part and contribute to their products, and investigate new solutions they could use. This made me feel like a part of the team, and not like dead weight.&rdquo;
Hoese Michel Tornyeviadzi is a final year PhD Research Fellow in Hydro-Informatics from NTNU &Aring;lesund. He was working with the Infrastructure team in Trondheim and had this to say of his 6 weeks at Volue:
&ldquo;It was a great opportunity to intern with Volue. The Infrastructure and AI teams are exceptional, enriched with expert domain knowledge, and rich experience to learn from.&rdquo;
So, while that&rsquo;s it for this year&rsquo;s summer intern activity, we hope you&rsquo;ve enjoyed reading about the first-hand experiences of just some of the talented individuals who took part.
<h2>Do you want to join Volue as a summer intern?</h2>
Have the experiences of this year&rsquo;s group of interns interested you? Do you want to join one of Europe&rsquo;s most exciting green tech companies and develop technology for a sustainable tomorrow? If so, watch out for updates later this year on how you can apply to be an intern in 2024.
We look forward to hearing from you.

We’ve caught up with some of those who took part in this year’s intern programme – we’re delighted to share that they have all had a positive experience.

Volue’s Summer Intern Programme Continues to Deliver Success

Volue Summer Interns 2023

The transformation towards recurring revenues and Software as a Service (SaaS) continues. SaaS revenues were NOK 98 million in the quarter, an increase of 43 percent compared to the second quarter of 2022. Recurring revenue constituted 63 percent of total revenues and reached NOK 236 million in the quarter, an increase of 25 percent from the second quarter of 2022. This makes the recurring revenue growth in the quarter Volue&rsquo;s highest since listing.
Volue achieves sustained growth through key customer acquisitions, highlighted by strategic wins in the quarter. Notably, the company expands its presence in Japan reaching nineteen paying customers, secures additional contracts for its Insight business line, and clinches a significant Trading Solution deal in Europe. Volue is also pleased to see Smart Power being adopted by new customers as well as extended usage from existing customers.
&ldquo;We are pleased to once again hold true to our promise of strong growth as we are reaping the benefits of the investments we&rsquo;ve made in our platform since listing. The demand backdrop is also highly supportive. Intermittent renewables are being brought online at a breath-taking speed. This means more volatility, more transactions and new market entrants, continuously increasing the demand for Volue&rsquo;s energy software offering.&rdquo; says Trond Straume, CEO of Volue.
In May, Volue announced the acquisition of Enerim Oy&rsquo;s Energy Market Services division, a market leader in portfolio management of intermittent renewables with 24/7 operation.
&ldquo;This acquisition ties perfectly with Volue Market Services and Volue Trading Advisory to form Volue Energy Market Services, providing Portfolio Management as a Service to a growing market, including small to medium wind, solar and battery players. Combined, we will be the Nordic market leader, positioned to be a leader in Europe by 2030,&rdquo; Straume says.
&ldquo;Our ambition is to become the number one software and software-backed service provider to the European energy system by 2030. In order to reach this goal, Volue will be focused, both organically and structurally. In the first half of 2023 we initiated a strategic review of our ownership in Industrial IoT, and we have divested our fire and chimney product line at very attractive multiples. These structural actions illustrate our dedication to the 2030 goal, and contributes to providing us with bandwidth which will be used at the correct organic growth initiatives&rdquo;, Straume continues.
&ldquo;Following the Enerim transaction, Volue Energy Market Services grows to a size where a new view on our offerings to the European energy system is warranted: Energy Software, Energy Market Services and Power Grid Software. The common foundation for these three dimensions is the Volue SaaS platform and our Insight offering, which delivers analysis and forecasting services for all participants in the energy system. On this foundation, we are building scalable SaaS offerings directed at power producers of all sizes and grid operators across Europe. Our growth since listing, which is ahead of market expectations at the IPO, brings proof to Volue&rsquo;s ability to execute on market opportunities. We will leverage this capability to excel on our ongoing journey, ensuring that we seize the opportunity to capture our rapidly expanding end-markets,&rdquo; Straume concludes.
The long-term ambition of NOK 2 billion in revenues, including M&amp;A, by 2025 is maintained. The long-term target of 15 percent annual organic revenue growth is also maintained. Volue sees year-by-year increases of adjusted EBITDA margin, cash conversion, share of ARR and SaaS revenues.
For H2 2023, Volue has the following priorities and ambitions
<ul>
 <li>Position Volue to deliver long-term growth of 15 percent</li>
 <li>Continue to grow scalable ARR business in line with long-term targets</li>
 <li>Focus on profitability initiatives to improve profitability and cash conversion</li>
 <li>Successfully integrate Enerim Market Services division into Volue and continue to explore structural growth opportunities</li>
</ul>
*EBITDA and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as part of the APM section of the second quarter 2023 presentation on page 36.
<h2>Webcast and presentation</h2>
For further details, please see the presentation. You can also watch the highlights in the recording below.

Volue ASA (OSE: VOLUE) reported operating revenues of NOK 375 million in the second quarter of 2023, an increase 26 percent from the second quarter of 2022. Consequently, Volue experienced its strongest growth since listing in the second quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA* was NOK 63 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17 percent.

Financial Results For the Second Quarter of 2023

*Copyright: Volkswagen AG; free of charge for use in the press

Using an optimisation and trading solution from Volue Energy GmbH, VW subsidiary Elli is starting intraday energy trading with vehicle batteries. The Volue solution comprises the &ldquo;BoFiT&rdquo; optimisation module and the &ldquo;VAT-P&rdquo; trading module for automated transaction processing. Marketing battery capacity on the EPEX intraday power exchange facilitates high proceeds and will also benefit Elli&rsquo;s customers, because, due to economies of scale, Elli will achieve better trading profits for customers with marketable battery capacity. The energy trading solution has already proved itself on a small scale and went live on July 12, 2023. Elli is starting by marketing batteries in a trial set-up from Volkswagen Group After Sales in Baunatal, Hessen. This will hold a battery capacity of up to 335 MWh. Further power centers are planned.
 Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH, known by the brand name Elli, is not only responsible for the VW Group&rsquo;s energy and charging solutions, but also handles the battery business: In future, Elli would like to breathe new life into second-life and waste batteries taken out of circulation and use these for energy trading in stationary battery solutions called power centres.&nbsp;
PowerCo, Elli&rsquo;s sister company, is already working on a vertically integrated value chain for battery storage devices. On the one hand, Elli would like to offer marketing solutions to its own customers and those of PowerCo and, on the other, an alternative use for second-life batteries. It would also be conceivable to use batteries that don&rsquo;t meet the extremely high criteria for vehicle installation.
<h2>Demonstrator with old batteries from Volkswagen Group After Sales</h2>
Elli is testing the value chain for the future power centers with a trial storage set-up in Baunatal from Volkswagen Group After Sales, which was successfully connected to Elli&rsquo;s battery control system in June 2023. Elli is using the trial set-up, which has a capacity of up to 335 kWh, to start operational trading and to gain experience of technical energy storage for future, larger projects. 
<h2>Cheap charging, profitable discharging</h2>
Without an IT solution, it is practically impossible to find the best window for charging and discharging (i.e., buying and selling on the power exchange market). This is because it is hard to predict power surpluses with low prices and the demand peaks, which allow for high proceeds, because of the high proportion of wind and solar power generation with its severe fluctuations. As a result, Elli was looking for a solution that would help to identify the optimal times to buy and sell, and to automate trading on the power exchange market. The solution should also be compatible with charge management and battery monitoring, to enable seamless, systematic management of trading and battery management.
<h2>Optimisation and trading solution from one source</h2>
Elli struck gold with Volue Germany GmbH in its search for a suitable IT solution. Ingo M&uuml;ller, Senior Vice President Energy at Elli: &ldquo;Volue offers a complete portfolio of solutions for trading with battery storage devices. The team&rsquo;s phenomenal trading expertise quickly convinced us that to choose Volue was to choose the market leader.&rdquo; Elli is using the IT solutions &ldquo;Volue BoFiT&rdquo; and &ldquo;Volue Algo Trader Power&rdquo; (VAT-P).
<h2>Volue BoFiT generates optimisation proposals for energy trading</h2>
The battery storage and the charging characteristics are both included in Volue BoFiT, as well as the market, i.e., the short-term exchange market EPEX SPOT. In combination with charge management and monitoring, BoFiT determines how much power can be bought or released and whether the conditions are favorable for buying or selling power on the exchange. This optimisation also draws on a variety of forecasts. This means Elli does not have to seize spontaneous opportunities, but rather can achieve higher profitability thanks to trading recommendations based on predictions.
<h2>Automated energy trading with Algo Trader</h2>
Volue Algo Trader Power takes the trading recommendations calculated by BoFiT and manages trading on the exchange. This ranges from generating bids to completing the transaction, which means there is nothing for Elli to do. Volue&rsquo;s solutions have already proved themselves on a small scale. They were tested on a group of batteries with a capacity of around ten ID.3s. &ldquo;With such a small trial set-up we were not expecting any notable profits, but the system is representative. We were able to try out all the features successfully and see how it would work with charge management,&rdquo; reports Serge Runge from Volue, who supervised the implementation. &ldquo;Because our solution is already being used for battery systems, the modeling was easy. So, we were quickly able to focus on how the tools work in combination with charge management.&rdquo;
<h2>Quick implementation of the optimisation and trading solution</h2>
The experience of marketing power stores was reflected in the rapid progress of the project. Luisa von Lonski, Head of Energy Flexibility Trading and the responsible project manager at Elli, is full of praise: &ldquo;From the first conversations to the professionally managed project and successful launch, Volue was phenomenal to work with.&rdquo;
<h2>One year to come up with the ideal trading strategy</h2>
In an initial market phase, Elli wants to build trading know-how and gain experience of the Volue solutions &ndash; so that it can then develop trading strategies that will meet the requirements that internal and external customers have of storage solutions. The BoFiT solution from Volue also helps with this, as it can run through a variety of scenarios, initiate simulations on the basis of assumed figures for future power centers and compare these to actual market events. This makes it easy for the Elli team to see what outcomes would be achievable with one trading strategy or another. So, it is easy to set up the envisaged scaling of asset-backed trading.

Elli starts intraday trading with batteries through EPEX using solutions from Volue

VW Subsidiary Embraces Automated Energy Trading with Volue Solutions

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