PhD Summer School in Renewable Energy
The Norwegian Research School in Renewable Energy (NorRen) 2026 will be held from 16. - 21. August at Fana Folkeh?gskule in Bergen and Thon Hotel Sandven in Norheimsund.
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We are currently planning NorRen 2026. Follow this page for updates.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the University of Bergen (UiB), Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) and the University of Oslo (UiO) invite PhD-students working in the energy field to the Norwegian Research School in Renewable Energy (NorRen). The summer school has been running almost every year since 2012, at various locations and with different energy-related key topics. In total, more than 350 PhD-students have attended - and enjoyed - the NorRen summer school over these years!
Our focus in 2026 is on current topics and technologies related the ongoing green industrial transition.
The course is designed to provide state of the art insight into the roles of energy systems in industrial transitions, the development of novel energy carriers and renewable energy production, emission reduction schemes and technologies, as well as a range of factors at play in aligning industry with net zero.
Over the week, we will also dive into cross-cutting issues such as work and labour in a green economy, justice and transparency in global value chains, as well as transitions to a more circular economy.
Apply here
Confirmed presenters and activities 2026
- Vebj?rn Bakken, UiO:Energy and Environment - Course leader
- Asgeir Tomasgard, NTNU
- Kristin Guldbrandsen Fr?ysa, UiB
- Site visits to:
- Energy House and Midtfjellet Wind farm on Stord
- Boliden and Hardanger Hydrogen Hub in Odda
We are hosting the NorRen summer school in Bergen and Norheimsund this year, featuring new presenters and site visits. Additional presenters and more detailed site visits will be announced soon. Meanwhile, you can take a look at last year's program to get an insight into what you can expect. You can find the 2025 program here.
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NorRen 2026
Credits:?5 ECTS
Location: Fana folkeh?gskule and Thon Hotel Sandven
Dates: August 16 - 21, 2026
Language of instruction:?English
Participation fee:?
Covers full board (accommodation and meals) and excursions.?Participants must cover own travel to and from the summer school.
- NOK 8 500 - Shared twin room at Thon Hotel Sandven.
- NOK 10 000 - Single room at Thon Hotel Sandven (limited number available)
The University of Oslo does not provide scholarships or discount for the NorRen Summer School.
What can you expect?
- Lectures by leading researchers and industry experts
- Site visits to industry and insight into cutting edge technologies
- The opportunity to discuss with top scholars and experts, as well as students from a wide range of disciplines
- A collaborative educational environment and work in interdisciplinary groups
- Networking opportunities and social events
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Practical information
The first part of the NorRen Summer School 2026 will be held at Fana folkeh?gskule from 16–19 August. The school is located about 20 km south of Bergen city centre.
The second part will take place at Thon Hotel Sandven in Norheimsund from 19–21 August.?
A bus will be provided to transport participants between the venues and site visits.
Please note: due to budgetary constraints and availability, participants are encouraged to share rooms at Thon Hotel Sandven. If you require a private room, a higher participation fee will apply (limited number available).?
Addresses:?Mildevegen 190, 5259 Hjellestad and Kaien 28, 5600 Norheimsund
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Exam
- The course qualifies for 5 ECTS (PhD level course) credits provided the completion of the following:
- pre-work assignment (presentation)
- active contribution to the group work during the week
- essay:
- Write an essay between 6000 – 7000 words (excluding footnotes and literature list). The topic must be related to a theme covered by the summer school. Target an academic audience but write in a style that will appeal to non-specialists within any particular field. Your essay should have a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion. If your essay is based on the group work during the summer school, you should inform your team members. You may write your essay in English or Norwegian.
- The course code is ENERGI9010 (PhD?level course)
- Deadline to hand in the essay is October 15 at 2PM, 2026
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Admission
Selection criteria:
- Academic and professional background
- Involvement in the field of sustainable energy
- Home institution
A current enrollment in a PhD program is required to participate in our summer school.
Deadline to apply is Wednesday April 1, 2026.
Apply here
Previous years
- 2025: Bergen (Fana Folkeh?gskule)
Tools
PhD courses in energy and energy transition
Below you will find PhD courses in energy and energy transition at UiO and other institutions in Norway. Please note that there may be changes to teaching semesters, credits and content. Check the course page for updated information.
Courses
| Institution | Department | Theme | Course code | Course name | Semester | Credits (ECTS) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UiO | Department of Physics | Solar energy | MENA9510 | Autumn | 5 | ||
| UiO | Department of Mathematics | Wind energy |
Taught according to demand and resources. Please contact studieinfo@math.uio.no if you are interested in the course |
5 | |||
| UiO | Department of Mathematics | Oceand and wind energy |
Taught according to demand and resources. Please contact studieinfo@math.uio.no if you are interested in the course |
10 | |||
| UiO | Department of Physics | Solar energy | Spring | 10 | |||
| UiO | Department of Physics | Solar energy | MENA9010 | The course is not offered spring 2025 | 10 | ||
| UiO | Department of Technology Systems | Solenergi | TEK9330 | Spring | 10 | ||
| UiO | Department of Technology Systems | Solar energy | TEK9300 | Autumn | 10 | ||
| NTNU | Solar energy | Spring | 7,5 | ||||
| NTNU | Wind energy | Spring | 11,5 | ||||
| NTNU | Economy | Autumn | 10 | ||||
| NTNU |
Economy |
The course is not offered 2024/2025. | 10 | ||||
| NTNU | Hydropower | Spring | 7,5 | ||||
| NTNU | Hydropower | Autumn | 7,5 | ||||
| NTNU | Smart grid | The course is not offered 2024/2025. | 7,5 | ||||
| NTNU | Department of Energy and Process Engineering | Economy | Spring | 7,5 | |||
| NTNU | Department of Electric Energy | Economy and hydropower | Autumn | 10 | |||
| NTNU | Department of Electric Energy | Smart grid |
Power Electronics, Power Semiconductor Physics and Reliability |
The course is not offered 2024/2025 | 7,5 | ||
| NTNU | Department of Electric Energy |
Smart grid |
The course is not offered 2024/2025 | 7,5 | |||
| NTNU | Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Hydropower | Autumn | 7,5 |
NorRen is a collaboration between
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Questions?