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Innovation Norway with strong believe in Kitemill

- We've had the pleasure of working with Thomas Hårklau and the Kitemill team for many years. They have been professional and have built stone by stone from day one. Like other talented entrepreneurs, they are very willing to learn and are able to work with other people, where they see the need extra competence, says senior adviser Ivar Singstad in Innovation Norway.

Ivar Singstad.jpgPhoto by Kitemill

Ivar Singstad, senior advisor and responsible for wind power nationally at Innovation Norway. Singstad being resposible for Innovation Norways commitment to Kitemill.

He has been watching the Kitemills development ever since its establishment. In addition to being responsible for Innovation Norway's commitment to Kitemill, he is also responsible for wind power, nationally, in Innovation Norway.

 

Been involved since 2008

Singstad believes that Kitemill- founders ability to go with the industrial partners is key that they have come to where they are today.

Innovation Norway has supported Kitemill since its inception in 2008. The company has gained significant with financial assistance, but also to benefit from Innovation Norway's expertise such as GET, FRAM and Innovation Norways mentor scheme.

 

Kitemill has on several occasions received significant funding from Innovation Norway to develop their technology. In 2015, they received several million from Innovation Norway's environmental technology program, to upscale and demonstrate the technology at Lista Industrial Park.

 

- Significantly lower cost than traditional wind power

One of the reasons why Kitemill received support was that the technology has the potential to produce electricity at a considerably lower cost than traditional wind power, says Singstad.

-It has been of essential importance for us to have such great support from Innovation Norway. One thing is money, something different and perhaps equally important, is the role of partner, supporter and mentor as Innovation Norway is very capable, says Kitemills general manager, Thomas Hårklau.

 

Industrial benefits in Norway

- Innovation Norway has emphasized that the concept has industrial advantages in Norway, and thus can utilize an existing value chain. The concept is based on technology areas where we as a nation are good. This is for example the power producing winches, fiber rope, advanced management system and composite products. This means that the company has good chances of successfully industrializing concept, says senior adviser Ivar Singstad.

 

National professional responsibility: Ivar Singstad has followed through on Kitemills development ever since its establishment. In addition to being responsible for Innovation Norway's commitment to Kitemill, he is also responsible for wind power, nationally ,in Innovation Norway.

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