NODES aims to highlight flexibility providers that contribute to the positive development of our markets. First up is the energy efficiency company Entro AS, which has quickly become an important contributor in Euroflex across several market areas. We spoke with Finn Johnssen, Director of Business Development at Entro AS.
What is Entro’s role in the flexibility market?
Finn describes Entro’s role in the flexibility market as practical and targeted. Entro ensures that the energy systems customers already own are adapted, approved, and operated so they can participate in both Statnett’s reserve markets and local flexibility markets operated by NODES. This includes everything from technical adaptations and contractual arrangements to test runs and optimization of market participation.
Entro focuses on integrating existing resources, particularly backup generators and electric boilers, into the flexibility markets. Finn explains that backup generators represent large volumes of available flexibility and can deliver full capacity immediately, making them a stable and predictable energy resource.
Who are Entro’s customers?
Entro primarily works with large organizations that operate high-capacity energy systems. Fish farming companies such as Salmar and hospitals such as St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim have been early adopters. In addition, industrial companies, municipalities, and large commercial buildings are natural customer segments.
Photo from the successful test run at St. Olavs Hospital in August 2024, showing representatives from St. Olavs Hospital and Entro involved in the project.
Finn notes that many customers are surprised by how few adjustments are required before their facilities can provide flexibility. Equally surprising is how low the actual risk is. The systems Entro installs are configured so that the customer’s primary needs, such as emergency power, are always prioritized over market participation.
The image shows the generator park at Salmar’s smolt facility at Tjuin in Malm municipality.
What motivates Entro’s customers to participate in the flexibility markets?
Entro’s customers are primarily motivated by financial returns. Up-front costs are most often recovered within one or two years, and for large generators, payback can be achieved much faster. However, many customers are also driven by a stronger motivation: contributing to security of supply and societal development in their local communities. This is particularly evident in rural Norway, where industry and businesses understand that local stability is crucial.
Additionally, market participation improves preparedness. Generators are tested and maintained more frequently than before, while systems are configured to prioritize the customer’s own needs during power outages. As a result, customers achieve a dual benefit: they earn revenue and are better prepared for real-life incidents.
What role do digitalization and automation play in Entro’s solution?
In the Statnett markets, automated control is an essential part of the solution. Activation signals must be sent directly to control systems in real time. In the NODES market, Entro still handles some of the operation manually, simply because the number of facilities and activations remains manageable. Entro expects digitalization to become far more important going forward, especially as more small-scale resources enter the market.
How does Entro view the future?
Entro expects the flexibility markets to grow significantly over the next five years, both on the demand side and the supply side. More resources in the market may lead to lower prices, but this will also drive smarter control systems, increased automation, and greater use of load regulation. Large energy resources will remain central to Entro’s focus as they are stable, powerful and provide both revenue and security.
