Last week, Egersund Næring og Havn joined partners Dalane Energi and Ruralis at Klimafolkemødet in Middelfart, Denmark, where we had the opportunity to share the work being done through the Circular Kaupanes and COPPER projects with visitors from across the Nordic region and beyond.
The event is one of Scandinavia's largest meeting places for climate action and sustainability, welcoming around 40,000 visitors over three days and bringing together citizens, school and university students, researchers, businesses, public organisations and decision-makers to explore solutions for a greener and more sustainable future.
Throughout the event, we introduced visitors to Circular Kaupanes, which focuses on an energy industrial symbiosis in Egersund. We also presented the DUT COPPER project, which explores innovative approaches to the energy transition and how communities and local stakeholders can play an active role in developing sustainable energy systems.
One of the highlights of our stand was the range of hands-on activities and demonstrations. Visitors could explore a hydrogen-powered car, a miniature wind turbine and small solar panels that helped explain how renewable energy can be used to produce green hydrogen and how hydrogen can then be used as a clean fuel for transport. Alongside these demonstrations, we offered environmental-themed online games and board games that invited people to learn, discuss and have fun at the same time.
What made the experience especially rewarding was the number and variety of people who stopped by. We met curious school pupils, students, families and local residents who wanted to learn more about renewable energy and circular economy solutions. Many stayed for longer conversations, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their own ideas and experiences.
We were also pleased to connect with researchers, university students specialising in sustainability, and professionals working on projects facing many of the same challenges and opportunities as our own. These exchanges led to valuable discussions.
Beyond our own stand, the event offered many interesting panel discussions and learning opportunities. Among the most relevant for our team was a session on energy sharing and energy communities in Denmark, where participants discussed practical experiences and future opportunities for local energy cooperation. The conversation provided useful insights that resonate strongly with the work being carried out through both Circular Kaupanes and COPPER.
Overall, Klimafolkemødet was an inspiring few days filled with good conversations, new perspectives and plenty of curiosity from visitors. We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our stand, tried our activities, shared their ideas or simply had a chat with the team. Events like these remind us that the green transition is not only about technology and infrastructure, but also about people, collaboration, learning from one another and sparking conversations that inspire action and new ways of thinking about sustainability.
