ACES

 
DRIFT is applying its knowledge of transition management to the Norwegian port sector in the ACES project: ACcelerating Energy and Sustainability transitions in ports. We strengthen the knowledge of our research partners through trainings, which will result in four transition arenas in the port sector in the coming years.
 
Norwegian ports in transition
The Norwegian port sector is in transition: it is facing the challenge of becoming zero-emission in 2030 while the economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas. Where the port’s many (regional) functions and actors meet, from freight to electricity and from fishery to ferrying, they face transition pressures and opportunities.
 
Ace up our sleeves
The ACES project aims to facilitate and accelerate this transition in Norwegian ports. There are differences between the Norwegian ports in their level of adaptation to the energy transition, and the challenge is that their industrial, economic and governance are connected to each other. Therefore, ACES connects port-specific transitions with national visions and intersectoral perspectives: zooming in and out.
 
Transition management for three ports
Together with leading research institutes in Norway, we will work on the first application of transition management in the country. As the ambition is to accelerate the transition in the entire Norwegian port sector, the project will work on a national transition agenda next to agendas for the Ports of Kristiansand, Borg and Bodø.
 
DRIFT’s part
There will be a total of four transition arenas, and to prepare them, DRIFT’s role is to strengthen the theoretical and practical transition management knowledge of our research partners. We will develop and execute specific knowledge and trainings around transition management in ports and cities in the first year. This will result in specific transition management plans for different arenas.
 
Duration
2021-2025
 
Research partners
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) & SINTEF (Stiftelsen for industriell og teknisk forskning).
Collaboration partners: Ports of Norway, Port of Bodø, Port of Borg, Port of Kristiansand, Coast Center Base, Norwegian Coastal Administration, Norwegian Maritime Authority, Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Norwegian Rail Authority, Norwegian Environment Agency, Norwegian Coastal Shipowners, Norwegian Logistics and Freight Organisation & Skift Norge.
 
Funding
Research Council of Norway
 
DRIFT team
Derk Loorbach, Timo von Wirth & Igno Notermans