NORCE RESEARCH AS

Their core work

NORCE is a major Norwegian applied research centre based in Bergen, specializing in climate science, ocean systems, carbon capture and storage (CCS/CCUS), and geoenergy. They build and run earth system models, monitor marine and Arctic environments, and develop strategies for CO2 geological storage across Europe. Their work spans from deep-ocean observation systems and polar climate prediction to practical geothermal well engineering and aquaculture innovation, consistently bridging environmental science with energy and marine industry needs.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), NORCE focused on smart city demonstration (Triangulum), geothermal energy (GeoWell, GEMex), and building foundational marine observation networks (BRIDGES, JERICO-NEXT). From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward earth system modelling, polar and Southern Ocean science, CCUS strategic planning, and Copernicus-linked environmental monitoring. The trend shows a move from diverse applied engineering topics toward a tighter focus on climate systems, carbon storage, and ocean-earth observation.

NORCE is consolidating around climate-critical infrastructure — expect them to deepen their CCUS deployment expertise and polar observation capabilities in future programmes.

How they like to work

NORCE overwhelmingly operates as a consortium partner (39 of 52 projects), with only 7 coordinator roles, indicating they are sought after for their technical depth rather than project management. With 801 unique partners across 78 countries, they are a highly networked hub — not locked into repeat partnerships but connecting broadly across European and global consortia. This makes them an accessible and experienced partner, comfortable in large multi-national teams.

NORCE has collaborated with 801 distinct partners spanning 78 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected research centres in Norway. Their network is particularly dense in Northern Europe but extends globally, including EU-Africa (SEACRIFOG) and EU-Mexico (GEMex) cooperation projects.

What sets them apart

NORCE combines subsurface geological expertise (CO2 storage, geothermal) with large-scale climate and ocean modelling — a rare dual capability that lets them work across the full carbon cycle from emissions modelling to underground sequestration. Based in Bergen, they have direct access to Norwegian marine and Arctic research infrastructure, giving them operational credibility in polar science that few inland institutes can match. For consortium builders, they bring both computational modelling strength and hands-on field experiment experience.

Highlights from their portfolio

• iFishIENCi
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.6M) — combining AI, IoT, and circular economy principles for intelligent aquaculture, showing NORCE's cross-sector digital capabilities.
• STRATEGY CCUS
  Strategic CCUS infrastructure planning for Southern and Eastern Europe — positions NORCE at the centre of Europe's carbon storage deployment roadmap.
• ENOS
  EUR 773K for enabling onshore CO2 storage with field experiments and pilot sites — direct industrial relevance for the energy transition.