Spark by Volue: 2024 in review

Volue’s Senior Communications Manager, Blair Grant, recently sat down with the Spark by Volue team to discuss their highlights of 2024, sustainable and scalable energy systems, and what’s to come in 2025.  

In the article below, Kjetil Storset, Head of Spark by Volue, Ola Hendseth, Head of Product Management, and Sigrid Lønn, Head of Operations and Partner Relations, shared their thoughts on how the Spark initiative continues to support the delivery of a resilient and balanced grid across the Nordics. 

Building on the success of eNabo

Spark by Volue facilitates faster electrification and renewable energy adoption, with 2024 producing several highlights.

In May this year, Volue announced a partnership with Norgesnett that allows Norwegian electricity users to receive incentives for consuming electricity in ways that benefit the local power grid.

The initiative seeks to facilitate the integration of renewable assets, initially in Norway and eventually across Europe, while maintaining a healthy and stable low-voltage grid.

“I think most of us in the industry understand the challenges facing today’s electrical grid. To put it simply, by leveraging distributed energy resources, we are directly facilitating more intelligent power grid usage,” says Kjetil.

“I have always believed that we can enhance grid efficiency by utilising consumer energy resources. Looking back on the impact we have made since the launch of eNabo, we’ve shown this to be the case,” Kjetil continues.  

“Norgesnett’s customers can now enjoy lower grid fees when they charge their vehicles in grid-friendly ways and since the eNabo launch, Spark services are now available to all European Distribution System Operators (DSOs) for free. But there is much more to come,” adds Ola.

Limitation of power consumption

“We’re now at a point where we’re looking to the next stage. 2024 has allowed us to build solid foundations for our growth and a key part of future activity will centre on the adoption of flexible tariff opportunities,” says Kjetil. 

“One of our consistent aims with Spark has been to reduce peak demand. We’ve always understood the importance of this being voluntary based and within the limits of power consumption. As part of that, we are working hard with our DSO partners across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland on these flexible network tariffs,” he adds.

On top of solutions that help shift consumer behavior, Volue has created what can best be described as an air traffic control system for the grid.

“As I said before, in an ideal world, voluntary efforts would keep the grid steady. But during peak demand, even the best intentions need extra support,” says Kjetil.

With Spark’s Limitation of Power Consumption solution (LPC), DSOs can step in to temporarily reduce high-energy consumption. Spark pinpoints where and when the grid is under strain, empowering operators to focus their efforts on specific hotspots and preventing potential issues. The outcome is controlled, data-driven demand management and consistent essential services. What’s more, it’s a solution that is being offered free to all DSOs.

“When even the best-intentioned voluntary efforts fail to keep the grid balanced, our LPC takes effect, and the feedback we’ve had already from DSOs illustrates its positive impact,” says Kjetil.

Strong partnerships drive Spark forwards

“The success of Spark by Volue centres on the strength of our partnerships and this remains as true today as when we launched our first service,” says Sigrid.

“By working together, we continue to move closer to the common objective of a robust power grid and the accelerated adoption of renewable energy. A highlight for me this year has been the curiosity, interest, and positive feedback in our offering from across the market. We have created a real buzz across the media, conferences, and face-to-face meetings. As a team, we’ve gone out and met the sector to ensure we meet ever-changing requirements and because of that, Spark is gaining real traction across the Nordics,” adds Sigrid.

“Another highlight is the success rate of watching our partners onboarding the Spark platform with little to no Volue involvement. When we say DSOs can use our offering seamlessly, then we really do make things as simple as possible,” notes Ola.

“We have a friction free journey both for DSOs and flexibility providers. We can manage and overcome bottle necks and challenges that really does make onboarding such a simple journey. As a trusted partner we allow our customers to take responsibility and it’s this level of trust and cooperation that has formed the bedrock of our success,” he adds.

Nordic growth in 2025

Spark by Volue has fostered and created an ecosystem of partnerships and services that continues to grow across the Nordics.

So just what does 2025 hold? Kjetil had this to say:

“On behalf of the Spark by Volue team, we should rightly celebrate the success and impact of the Spark initiative this year. Through dedicated effort, we’ve cultivated a network of partnerships and services that seamlessly connect resources into a sustainable, scalable neighbourhood energy system. This progress is certainly worth celebrating, but what’s even more exciting is the knowledge that there’s so much more to come next year.”