Winners of the Nordic Energy Challenge 2025
On 12 August, the winners of the Nordic Energy Challenge 2025 were presented during the Norwegian democracy festival, Arendalsuka, at Nordic Energy Research's event on equality in the energy sector…
On 12 August, the winners of the Nordic Energy Challenge 2025 were presented during the Norwegian democracy festival, Arendalsuka, at Nordic Energy Research’s event on equality in the energy sector. We are pleased to announce that Avinash Renuke and Heidi Ivan are the winners of this year!
Avinash and Heidi were awarded 50,000 NOK for their idea NEXIA – Nordic Energy eXcellence for Inclusion and Access and received heartfelt congratulations at the event. Heidi was unable to attend the award ceremony, but Nordic Energy Research got hold of Avinash shortly after the announcement of their win.
Avinash Renuke and Heidi Ivan, Postdoctoral Researchers at Mälardalen University.
What was going through your head when you were announced as this year’s winners?
I was super excited when I heard Klaus saying Heidi’s and my name, and I’m looking forward to people taking part in NEXIA. Next, I will go back to my university and share the winning moment with all my colleagues.
Why did you decide to take part in this challenge?
I’ve been working as a diversity and sustainability coordinator, and when I came to know that women represent less than 30% of the workforce in the Nordic energy sector, I realised that almost half of potential talent is lost. Therefore, we wanted to implement a simple yet powerful idea to achieve the right kind of change.
Why is your index important for progressing equality in the energy sector?
The Nordic Energy Equality Index captures both representation and experience. Representation means tracking gender and diversity across all levels – entry-level roles, technical specialists, leadership, and boards. Experience means measuring pay equity, promotion rates, retention, and participation in decision-making. By also including indicators on access to entrepreneurship – like the percentage of funding going to women-led start-ups we combine important metrics that give us a clear picture of where we’re making progress and where we still need to act.
What would you say to other, future applicants in the Nordic Energy Challenge?
I would highly recommend future applicants to take part in the Nordic Energy Challenge! It’s fun, and it makes you think in many new aspects. As the topic changes annually, the challenge brings forward different things that you work on with different people at different times. So, the Nordic Energy Challenge pushes you to learn and be creative.
From left: Klaus Skytte, CEO, Nordic Energy Research, Karen Ellemann, Secretary General, Nordic Council of Ministers, Avinash Renuke, Postdoctoral Researcher, Mälardalen University, Shan He, Postdoc Researcher, Aalborg University, and Xin Sui Assistant Professor, Aalborg University.
Avinash Renuke, Postdoctoral Researcher, Mälardalen University.
Motivation of the jury
Avinash’s and Heidi’s proposal NEXIA was selected by the jury with the following motivation:
NEXIA presents a comprehensive and action-oriented initiative to promote diversity and inclusion across the entire Nordic energy value chain. The proposal includes concrete measures such as a shadow board, mentoring programs, funding for startups, and a Nordic Energy Equality Index to track progress over time.
The jury was impressed by the project’s strong vision and practical ambition. NEXIA addresses structural challenges in the energy sector by positioning gender equality not only as a matter of justice but also as essential for innovation and sustainability. Its emphasis on cross-border collaboration and systemic change reflects the Nordic spirit of working together toward shared goals.
While the jury noted that the proposal would benefit from clearer prioritisation and a deeper focus on national and regional differences – including those in smaller communities like Greenland and the Faroe Islands – NEXIA stands out for its societal relevance, Nordic added value, and transformative potential.
Second and third place
Nordic Energy Research would also like to congratulate the runners-up Shan He and Xin Sui on their second place, and Cecilia Wallmark and Jim Allansson on their third place in the Nordic Energy Challenge.
Second place
SynDiv: Synchronizing Diversity in Decision-Making for an Inclusive Nordic Energy Transition with AI and Neuroscience
According to the jury, Shan’s and Xin’s idea SynDiv is a highly original and research-driven proposal that explores how gender-balanced teams and cognitive diversity can improve strategic decisions in the energy sector. Combining AI, EEG technology, and gender theory, it offers a new way to understand how diverse perspectives shape energy outcomes.
The jury found the proposal intellectually stimulating and methodologically strong. However, it is primarily research-focused and would benefit from a stronger connection to practical implementation in a Nordic context.
Still, SynDiv makes a valuable contribution to the equality debate and holds strong potential for future impact.
Third place
Finding your CH2ESS mate, matchmaking our competences in the energy transition and hydrogen implementation with our companies in the Northern Nordics
According to the jury, Cecilia and Jim proposal have submitted an interesting contribution that provides a solution to a specific need and overlooked challenge: namely, that international PhD students in the northern regions often do not remain in the region after completing their education, despite the energy sector’s need for labour in this region as well. This highlights the need for targeted efforts and increased inclusion. Although the perspective of gender equality is not the most prominent aspect of the contribution, the jury considers that there is nevertheless an underlying inclusion agenda, as the target group is internationally diverse and a potentially marginalised group in this northern labour market.
The jury also considers that a lack of networks and contact with businesses is a significant barrier to the integration and inclusion of students.
The proposal is practically oriented and focuses on a well-defined event. In the jury’s assessment, their contribution comes in third place, as the jury would like to see a greater link to equality and diversity in a broader sense, a more detailed plan for how the equality dimension can be integrated and measured, and as the idea is more locally rooted rather than Nordic in a broader sense.
