The Path to Green Transition: Large-Scale Hydrogen Storage

Why did you choose a master’s degree in this field at the University of Bergen (UiB)?

I chose the master’s track when I first started studying, as I’m part of the integrated five-year master’s program in Energy at the Geophysical Institute. I was drawn to this specialization because I wanted an education that would allow me to better understand the challenges of climate change—and contribute to the technological development needed to address them. I chose UiB because the new Energy program seemed exciting, and it offered a lot of flexibility to choose my direction along the way.

What’s it like to be a master’s student at the Department of Physics and Technology (IFT)?

I really enjoy being a master’s student at IFT—mainly because there’s a strong community of both Energy and Ocean Technology students, which makes it easy to be social and to get help with academic challenges from fellow students.

I’ve also been fortunate to collaborate closely with Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) during my thesis work, which has allowed me to benefit from the academic environments at both UiB and HVL.

What is your thesis about, and why did you choose this topic?

I’m writing my master’s thesis on large-scale offshore hydrogen storage from a life-cycle perspective.

I chose this topic because I find large-scale energy storage incredibly exciting—it's a complex challenge that we need to solve in order to transition to a society that relies more heavily on renewable energy sources. Hydrogen is an energy carrier with great potential to help address these challenges, so I wanted to take a closer look at hydrogen storage on a large scale.

In particular, I wanted to explore the practical and climate-related aspects of storing hydrogen offshore, along with the challenges and opportunities this technology presents.

What’s the most important skill you’ve developed as a master’s student?

One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed is the ability to define my own tasks and manage how I spend my time. I’m working on a thesis that I’ve helped shape myself, which has pushed me to take responsibility for how I structure and solve the work.

Another skill I’ve really improved is the ability to communicate results clearly and concisely—something I’m still working on but have made great progress with.

I’ve also learned how to apply knowledge from my studies in practice, and how to quickly get up to speed with new subjects when needed.

Were you involved in any extracurricular activities during your studies? 

Yes—I’ve worked throughout my studies. I spent many years working in a bakery, and during my master’s I started in a job that’s more directly related to my field.

I’ve also held a volunteer role in an environmental organization and taken part in innovation competitions in my spare time. Participating in different relevant activities—jobs, student organizations, and events—has been very rewarding. As a student, you’re lucky to have access to so many exciting opportunities!

Do you have any tips for new master’s students?

Haha, it feels a bit scary to give advice when I haven’t finished myself yet—but what has worked well for me is finding a good balance between routine and using the freedom that comes with being a master’s student.

For the most part, I’ve kept regular, structured workdays—but that’s what gives me the freedom to take advantage of a sunny day or a perfect ski day when it comes.

So I guess my best advice is: freedom in moderation. If 9.5 days out of 10 are structured and productive, then the occasional day off feels really refreshing and well-deserved. And sure, maybe you’ll make up for it with a long evening session in the reading room later in the semester—but it’s totally worth it.