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Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tord Lien visited Tech Center in California


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Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tord Lien visited Tech Center in California

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Category: Automobile / Transport

The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Tord Lien visited Nordic Innovation House in San Francisco on Tuesday. The visit, which included stops at both Google and Tesla, happened in connection with the technology conferences Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation in San Francisco.

Nordic Innovation House is a resource center and a meeting point for Norwegian and Nordic start-ups, wanting to establish themselves in Silicon Valley and is managed by Innovation Norway.

“The work done in Nordic Innovation House is essential to introducing the Nordic and Norwegian tech companies to the large and important players in Silicon Valley. There are enormous opportunities here for those that succeeds. Nordic Innovation House, which is managed by Innovation Norway, is an important door opener for these companies,” the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Tord Lien said.

Lien also visited senior management at both Google and Tesla Motors’ factory in Fremont, where they produce 50.000 vehicles per year, of Model S and X.

“When speaking with Tesla, I managed to get across how important their work in Norway is, both in terms of their commitment to research and developing technology within the transport sector, as well as “smart cities” between the industry, academia and authorities. In the long run, Tesla will prove an essential player that can contribute with competence in these areas,” Lien said.

This week, Minister Lien will participate on the minister meeting Clean Energy Ministerial and the leader summit Mission Innovation. The aim of the Clean Energy Ministerial is to promote the use and expansion of clean energy, and several energy ministers, including US Secretary of Energy, Ernest Moniz, is attending.

Attending at the Mission Innovation conference is both ministers and business leaders, such as Microsoft founder, Bill gates and Virgin founder, Richard Branson. The aim is to double government’s investments in research and innovation related to new technology within the next five years, to slow down climate changes.

Source: Regjeringen.no