Norwegian energy solution wins the Nordic Innovation Award
The Nordic Innovation Award was presented for the first time in Copenhagen on April 10. The Norwegian company Cartesian won the award for its groundbreaking innovation.
The Norwegian company Cartesian has developed a thermal energy storage solution for large heating and cooling systems. It can be charged with heat or cold when the energy supply is good and the prices are low, and release the energy when the need and prices are high. The innovative solution of its thermal battery consists of a unique combination of advanced phase change materials, heat exchange technology, and precise monitoring of charging status.
Cartesian's solution was honoured with the Nordic Innovation Award 2025 among five finalists from the Nordic countries. The Nordic Innovation Award was presented in collaboration between the IP authorities in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
In choosing this year's winner, the Nordic jury highlighted Cartesian's groundbreaking work with energy storage, the importance of the innovation for the green transition, and the company's well-thought-out IP strategy. Kathrine Myhre, Jury Chair and Director General of the Norwegian Industrial Property Office, says:
"The Nordic jury is proud to name Cartesian as the winner of the Nordic Innovation Award 2025 for their groundbreaking work in energy storage for large heating and cooling systems. Cartesian has developed a technology that addresses one of today's most pressing energy challenges. Their solution reduces energy consumption, peak loads and CO₂ emissions, while contributing to increased flexibility in the electricity grid - factors that are crucial in the green transition. With several commercial installations in the Nordics and a strong potential for international scaling, this innovation has the potential to make a significant impact on the green transition. The jury also highlights Cartesian's well-thought-out IP strategy, which supports and reinforces the company’s business and scaling strategy and global competitiveness. Congratulations to Cartesian."
Antti Riivari, Director General of the Patent and Registration Office and a member of the Nordic jury, says:
"The Nordic Innovation Award is an excellent opportunity to highlight innovations from Nordic companies. The competition is an important reminder of how crucial it is to constantly look towards the future, also in these turbulent times. Finland's nominee, Origin by Ocean, is a great example of a company that combines high technical expertise with inventions aimed at improving the state of the environment. I wish all the companies participating in the competition outstanding success in their business operations."
Origin by Ocean Oy represented Finland in the final of the Nordic Innovation Award. Their innovation is a patented biorefinery process, which utilises noxious algal blooms and responsibly cultivated seaweed as a raw material. The innovation is based on a regenerative value chain in which environmentally hazardous algal blooms caused by eutrophication are removed from oceans. These are refined into valuable speciality chemicals, which offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-based and environmentally hazardous chemicals for cosmetics, foodstuff, fertilizers and other industries.
Watch a video of the winner of the Nordic Innovation Award 2025 here.Open link in a new tab
For further information, please contact
Olli Ilmarinen
Development Specialist
Finnish Patent and Registration Office
Tel. +358 29 509 5236
About the Nordic Innovation Award
The Nordic Innovation Award is a tribute and an incentive for the continued work of Nordic entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises to develop and protect innovations in the Nordic region and globally. The award celebrates entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises who not only think innovatively but also protect their ideas through rights such as patents, trademarks and designs for the benefit of a more sustainable future.
The Nordic Innovation Award has been developed in collaboration between the IP authorities in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The jury in each country nominates a candidate based on the national nominations received. This candidate goes on to the Nordic jury, which appoints one winner of the Nordic Innovation Award from among the five finalists.
The Nordic Innovation Award 2025 was awarded for the first time at a ceremony in Copenhagen. Next year's award ceremony will take place in Norway.
Winner of the Nordic Innovation Award 2025
The Norwegian company Cartesian has been named this year's winner of the Nordic Innovation Award for its groundbreaking work in energy storage for large heating and cooling systems. Their thermal battery, which is charged with heat or cold when the energy supply is good and the electricity prices are low, helps reduce energy consumption by 10%, energy costs by 20%, and peak demand by at least 30%.
Cartesian has four installations in Norway and France, and more projects planned for 2025. Their technology, based on PCM (Phase Change Material), uses 100% recyclable materials. In addition to the innovation itself, the jury highlights the well-thought-out IP strategy and the solution's contribution to the green transition in its justification for choosing Cartesian.
The five Nordic finalists:
Iceland:
Finalist: Carbfix
www.carbfix.com
CEO: Edda Sif Pind Aradottir
Norway:
Finalist: Cartesian
www.cartesian.no
CEO: Frode Iglebæk
Sweden:
Finalist: GreenIron H2 AB
www.greeniron.se
CEO: Edward Murray
Finland:
Finalist: Origin by Ocean Oy
www.originbyocean.com
CEO: Mari Granström
Denmark:
Finalist: SiteCover A/S
www.sitecover.com
CEO: Jacob Maintz
The Nordic jury:
Chair of the Nordic jury:
Kathrine Myhre, Director General of the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO)
Denmark:
Martin Delfer, CEO, Danish Design Center
Sune Stampe Sørensen, Director General of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKTPO)
Finland:
Juha Ylä-Autio, CEO, Excellence Finland
Anna Lauttamus-Kauppila, Director, Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH)
Iceland:
Gudmundur Fertram Sigurjonsson, CEO, Kerecis
Borghildur Erlingsdóttir, Director General of the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office (ISIPO)
Norway:
Jan Morten Ertsaas, CEO, SIVA
Kathrine Myhre, Director General of the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO)
Sweden:
Christina Wainikka, Policy Expert Intellectual Property, Confederation of Swedish
Enterprise
Anna Jardfelt, Director General of the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV)