Page 33 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2018 publication

Spring 2018 European Energy Innovation
of production will become more
widespread.
Flexibility of demand will change
the role of the consumer. An active
consumer will simultaneously
consume, produce and store energy.
Digitalization and the Industrial
Internet will help improve the
efficiency of energy use everywhere.
Energy efficiency is a cost-effective
way of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, and the circular economy
mentality will further increase the
efficiency of resources use.
OUTLOOK FOR TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT
The markets are increasingly showing
interest in solutions that reduce the
use of non-renewable and fossil raw
materials. Solutions are sought in
bioeconomy and new, biomass-based
products and services. Bioeconomy
comprises a lot more than just
bioenergy and biofuels. Wood-based
fibre can be processed into high-value
chemicals, for example for the needs
of the pharmaceutical and chemical
industries. Nutrient cycling is another BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
example of the business opportunities
offered by the bioeconomy.
It is estimated that the share of
sustainable bioenergy will be about
one half of all renewable energy
supply in 2030. Carbon-neutral
transport will initially be achieved
by using the potential of all carbon
neutral sources, including biofuels.
When investing in EVs and Hydrogen,
also promoting the deployment of
biofuels in heavy goods vehicles will
be important. Sustainability will be
a key factor, and international trade
will grow. The raw material base of
bioenergy will expand and increasingly
rely on wastes, which will also
encourage biogas use.
Wave energy is an example of a
field where Finnish technology and
companies are on the global leading
edge without a domestic market.
Wave energy is expected to be
commercialised after 2020. The first
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33
FINLAND ENERGY
more extensive sites will be off-shore
wind farms, where wave energy
production may benefit from shared
network connections.
Finland is one of the most energy
intensive per capita countries in the
word. Improving energy efficiency is a
very cost-effective way of reducing CO2
emissions. We have a lot of experience
and know-how for efficient industrial
processes and buildings as well as
improving energy efficiency at the
system level. In the future, the energy
system of an intelligent home can be
used by the market driven consumer
to control the electric devices, energy
production and storage, and electricity
trade of the household.
Intelligent transport will also increase small-scale and mini hydroelectricity
service business, and the MaaS
(Mobility as a Service) model will
promote more efficient energy use.
Intelligent transport is now looking to
the new Transport Code that strives to
renew and develop the entire transport
sector as digitalization advances.
AND STRONG PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS
Finland’s success is based on
strong public-private partnerships,
world-class technical expertise and
innovations. We are very pleased to
promote and implement Clean Energy
Solutions together with other partners.
And we really need cooperation and
help from our partners even in Finland.
Power electronics represents top
expertise from Finland. Distribution
networks will feature power electronics
and intelligent properties. Finland
could also offer expertise for turnkey
system deliveries, but a large
operator would be required to ensure
competitiveness in the global market.
Virtualization, on the other hand,
is associated with technology that
enables the simulation of reality. In
the flexible energy system of the
future, virtual power plants may have
a key role in controlling such aspects
as decentralized energy production,
storage and consumption.
The flexible energy system of the
future, in which the consumer plays
an essential and significant role,
will also create a need for different
security technologies. The importance
of cybersecurity will be highlighted,
bringing new business opportunities.
The greatest growth is expected in
the fields of wind power, solar energy,
biomass boilers and small-scale CHP
technology. In these, Finland's areas of
strength are wind power components,
biofuels and biotechnologies as well
as gas-fueled engines and power
plants. Potential export sectors
also include turbine generators for
installations and technological and
system expertise in solar energy and
fuels cells.
To reach Finland’s ambitious energy
and climate targets and long-term
goal to become carbon neutral society
needs also investments in research,
development and innovations.
Innovation Funding Agency Business
Finland started last year a Smart Energy
Innovation Program which target is to
create new global business for Finnish
companies, investments in Finland,
create top research in energy sector
and support Finland to achieve its’
international targets. The Smart Energy
Program aims to build different kind of
test platforms to promote these targets.
Pilot platforms have a crucial role in
bringing different actors together,
networking them for new kind of
co-operations and boosting joint
competences. Platforms link research
actors, big companies and SMEs in
dynamic and flexible manners. As
a term, platform can have multiple
meaning ranging from dedicated
pilot setups to wide co-operation
environments. Commonly, platforms
apply open principles for instance
for sharing data, co-innovating and
memberships. l