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Norwegian Cartesian wins Nordic Innovation Award for its energy solution

11. April 2025

The Nordic Innovation Award was presented for the first time in Copenhagen on April 10, and 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 and prices is low and release the energy when the need and price is 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 honored with the Nordic Innovation Award 2025 among five finalists from the Nordic countries. The Nordic Innovation Award was developed 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 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."

Borghildur Erlingsdóttir, Director General of the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office and member of the award jury, stated:

"Intellectual property protection is key to creating value in the creative industries, and we are therefore very pleased to have initiated the Nordic Innovation Award together with the other Nordic intellectual property offices. With this award, we not only honour strong innovation but also how companies which use registered intellectual property rights – patents, trademarks, and design – to turn ideas into profitable and socially beneficial solutions. Five outstanding companies were nominated, and Cartesian is a well-deserving winner for the development of a system that may have a significant impact on energy use in building temperature regulation."

Carbfix was nominated on behalf of Iceland

"We were also very pleased to have nominated Carbfix on behalf of Iceland for their patented method of permanently storing carbon dioxide in rock, as their approach has the potential to have a real positive impact on global climate change," Borghildur added.

About the Nordic Innovation Award

The Nordic Innovation Award is a tribute and an incentive for the continued work of 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 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 price is low, helps reduce energy consumption by 10 pct., energy costs by 20 pct., and peak demand by at least 30 pct.

Cartesian has four installations in Norway and France and more projects planned for 2025. Their technology, based on PCM (Phase Change Material), uses 100 pct. 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.