Who are you and how did you become interested in energy technology?
I’m Andrea Barber, the CEO and co-founder of RatedPower.
What is your role at work?
We are on a mission to accelerate energy transition. We are bringing energy into the 21st century. We are developing the leading software for designing and engineering large-scale solar power plants in just a few minutes.
What are the most important challenges facing the energy technology industry/your sub-branch ?
Energy drives economies and sustains societies. But energy production and consumption is also the single biggest contributor to global warming. The challenge is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to power our households, workplaces and transportation systems, while making reliable, clean and affordable energy available to everyone on the planet. Better technology will improve efficiency. Technology is making energy cheaper and making renewable energy more accessible to everyone. And that’s our focus at RatedPower. We are merging technology and engineering so we can reduce the cost of implementing solar plants and optimise their performance.
Why is this exciting?
One of the most exciting aspects of the renewable energy industry is that there is no end to the potential for innovation — every day we discover something new.
What do you think are the most interesting controversies?
Regarding solar and renewables in general, the main controversies surround profitability and availability. But these challenges are being solved through advances in technology, such as by using distributed generation and battery storage to store renewable energy generated when demand is low to meet later demand.
Is there anything we do particularly well in this field here in Norway?
Compared to the rest of the world, Norway is already a highly energy-efficient country. It is streaks ahead when it comes to using electric cars, and Norwegians have a natural affinity to and a desire to live in synergy with nature. Compared to the rest of the world, Norway is already a highly energy-efficient country. It is streaks ahead when it comes to using electric cars, and Norwegians have a natural affinity to and a desire to live in synergy with nature.
Do you have a favourite energy technology quote ?
“Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.” — William Ruckelshaus.
Can you share a cool fact with us?
We like to say that with our pvDesign software, we have already achieved advancements equivalent to 500 years of conventional engineering.
