In the next issue of Focus Denmark

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Photo: Scanpix Denmark

In 1997 Samsø was chosen to become Denmark’s green energy island. The aim was to make the island self-sufficient with renewable energy by 2008. The islanders did even better: today the island’s collective CO₂ emissions are less than zero, with surplus wind turbine power exported back to the mainland. That the islanders’ aim has been more than achieved is largely due to local man Søren Hermansen, whose great commitment persuaded the islanders to invest their own money. One of his most important arguments was that by focusing on a green profile, the island could be kept alive, at a time when many other Danish island communities are wasting away. So far, it is working – environmentally interested foreigners are flocking to Samsø. And Søren Hermansen has been hailed as an environmental hero by Time Magazine. Other Danish local communities are following suit. Read more about them in the December issue of Focus Denmark.

RESEARCH AND WORK IN DENMARK

Photo: Scanpix Denmark

The December issue of Focus Denmark will introduce you to the opportunities for research, studying or working in Denmark. Denmark offers an active business life and high-quality research and development environments. PhD programmes are offered at universities, which have established a PhD school, at research institutions and in industry. Danish company culture is non-hierarchical and encourages open dialogue between management and staff. Denmark’s most important competition parameter is knowledge and this is reflected in both the working facilities and the focus on personal and professional development.

IT AND TELECOMMUNICATION

Photo: Scanpix Denmark

The development of the technology behind Google’s new high performance JavaScript engine V8 took place in Denmark and was headed by a Dane, Lars Bak. In recent years Google has opened new offices in Japan, Australia and India, and has now added a research and development division in Århus, Denmark. One of the explanations is that Denmark has many talented software developers; another is the close collaboration between businesses and computer science faculties in Danish universities. Read about this and other Danish-developed IT and telecommunication software – for example the Danish companies Enigma Semiconductors and Tpack, which are well advanced in developing components for the 100 gigabit internet backbone of the future.