Cold climate wind energy - a huge opportunity

Wind energy capacity is growing rapidly in the cold climates of the world. According to the latest forecasts by VTT and Navigant Research, between 45 and 50 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy will be built in cold climates by 2017. This would mean an increase of 72 percent since the end of 2012 and investments amounting to approximately EUR75 billion. The tools to harness the potential of cold climate wind energy already exist.

IEA praises Finland's way to sustainable energy

The International Energy Agency praised Finland for its commitment to a sustainable energy future in a review launched today. The IEA recommended energy efficiency improvements in the transport sector and developing a regional gas market. Finland should also actively contribute to finding a mutually acceptable solution at an EU level regarding the discussion on sustainability criteria for biomass and the development of a robust certification scheme.

Cleantech - a key driver for Finnish economy

Cleantech was one of Finland's fastest-growing business sectors in 2012 - a year of economic downturn. Combined turnover for cleantech companies was EUR24.6 billion and annual growth 15 percent, shows a survey by Cleantech Finland. The companies expect strong growth also in 2013. The majority of cleantech companies get more than half of their turnover from abroad. In 2012, key export markets were Germany, China, Sweden, France and Russia.

Energy turn-around underway in Finnish households

A clear change is taking place in the energy consumption of Finnish households, according to a research program of Academy of Finland. The increasing trend in energy consumption has now levelled out, and for the first time, the amount of energy produced by renewable energy sources and nuclear power has overtaken the use of fossil fuels. The turn-around is a result of decisions on the national level as well as the independent initiation of the use of new energy technologies.

Beneq establishes full-fledged operations in Russia

Beneq Oy, a leading supplier of industrial production and research equipment for thin film coatings used in solar photovoltaics and other emerging applications, is opening a subsidiary company in Russia. In addition, Beneq is launching an application development and service laboratory that will promote and implement cutting-edge thin film technologies and create globally competitive products and industrial solutions for Russian and global markets.

Balancing of power production and consumption

A new solution developed by a Finnish team shifts electricity consumption away from peak times, balances the grid and reduces the need for increased energy production. By adjusting consumption to the fluctuations in renewable energy generation, the solution maximizes the utilization of wind and solar power generation. In addition, less transmission capability is needed and national capital tied-up in reserve energy resources could be diminished.

New showcase for climate-friendly action

A new online service to collect and distribute information on climate-friendly action to reduce costs and emissions has been launched in Finland. The service, opened by the Finnish Environment Institute, provides citizens, businesses, organizations and experts with a channel for sharing and acquiring information on a variety of climate-related topics, including the energy efficiency of buildings and renewable energy solutions.

Finland takes concrete steps to promote renewable energy

A new feed-in tariff scheme has been established in Finland to promote the production of electricity based on wind power, biogas and wood-based fuel. The act entered partially into force on 1 January. At the same time also entered into force a new act promoting the use of biofuels in traffic. Biofuel distribution obligation will increase from the current four to six percent for 2011-2014, followed by a phased increase to 20 percent by 2020.

New power train provides offshore wind output in onshore size

An advanced train integrates a gear, traditionally the largest component in a wind turbine, and a permanent magnet generator in an innovative way together - with smaller in size and lighter in weight compared to other wind turbine power trains. The lower the nacelle weight, the more cost competitive the turbine. The train, developed by Moventas, a gear manufacturer, in cooperation with The Switch, a supplier of permanent magnet generators and converters, is designed on a scalable platform that extends from 3 megawatts to offshore class.

Developer of cost-efficient solar cells wins Millennium Technology Prize

The Winner of the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize is Professor Michael Gratzel from Switzerland for his third generation, low cost, dye-sensitized solar cells. The price/performance ratio of Grätzel's dye-sensitized solar cells is excellent. The technology often described as "artificial photosynthesis" is a promising alternative to standard silicon photovoltaics.

Finnish cleantech business in China expected to double by 2013

At present, the Finnish cleantech business in China is estimated being worth around EUR900 million this figure is expected to double by 2013, and China to become the main export area for Finnish cleantech companies within the next few years. Top Finnish cleantech companies met with members of Chinese government and industry at a high-level seminar in Beijing today.

Finland gives a big boost to renewable energy

To respond to its climate commitments, Finnish government agreed on Tuesday to massively fund the growth of renewable energy - including wood-based energy, wind power, biofuels and heat pumps. In all, the support for renewables will be more than EUR300 million per year by 2020. This is expected to trigger near EUR10 billion investments in green energy and create more than 10,000 jobs.