EnergyWeek 2025 brought together researchers, policymakers and industry leaders in Vaasa – discussions highlighted innovative energy solutions, and collaboration between universities and companies

Highest-level research close to companies

The University of Vaasa began its EnergyWeek programme on Monday with the Sustainable Energy Reimagined evening event, which focused on exploring the future of energy. In her opening remarks, Rector Minna Martikainen underscored the university’s commitment to high-level research in close collaboration with industry.

– We are working to conduct the highest-level research, as close to companies as possible, aiming to drive economic growth through our actions. This is why we say: only knowledge capital can create financial capital.

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According to Lassi Noponen, Director General of Business Finland, the Vaasa region is an example of the successful implementation of Finland’s innovation policy. 

– Here ecosystem projects and leading companies funded by Business Finland are flourishing, creating extensive networks that connect smaller companies, universities, higher education institutions, and public entities. 

Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), addressed Europe’s shifting geopolitical landscape, stressing the need for strategic autonomy and greater investment in research and innovation. He emphasised that the clean energy transition is key to restoring the EU competitiveness.

Béatrice Coda, Head of Unit, Clean Energy Transition at DG Research & Innovation, European Commission, tackled the critical challenges facing Europe’s energy transition: competitiveness, low-cost energy for industries and consumers, decarbonization and energy security.

A panel discussion on the role of industry in collaborative energy research featured Managing Director Pekka Tiitinen (ABB Finland), Paolo Bondavalli (European Innovation Council), and Tallak Baken (Otechos). Tiitinen emphasised the value of university-industry partnerships, and Bondavalli highlighted Europe’s opportunity to lead in energy storage solutions for the electric grid.

University of Vaasa researchers, including Hannu Laaksonen, Petri Uusikylä, Heidi Kuusniemi, and Petri Välisuo, presented their research groups, platforms and projects.

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The global energy landscape in deep transformation

On Tuesday, the University of Vaasa’s research platform VEBIC hosted the Transforming the Energy Landscape seminar, focusing on sector coupling, multiproduction, and integrated systems.

Professor Hannu Laaksonen and postdoctoral researcher Giovanna Pinilla De La Cruz introduced the PEAK project, emphasising the need for increased flexibility in future power systems.

Postdoctoral researcher Kirsi Spoof-Tuomi discussed biomethane’s role in the energy transition, highlighting its ability to replace fossil-based natural gas without modifications and support industrial processes, power generation, and transport. Given geopolitical uncertainties, she stressed that biomethane is not only a cleaner alternative but also a strategic asset.

The seminar concluded with a panel discussion, moderated by research programme manager Karita Luokkanen-Rabetino, and featuring Hannu Laaksonen, Sales Manager Antti Kettu from ABB, Antti Majava from BIOS Research Unit, Ingvar Kulla, Managing Director of Esse Elektro-Kraft, Mats Söderlund, Deputy CEO and CFO of EPV, and Christer E. Wik, General Manager of Wärtsilä Finland Oy.

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This year, the Powered by Space seminar, held for the fifth time during Vaasa EnergyWeek, focused on offshore wind power and the use of satellite data in the design, construction, and monitoring of offshore wind farms.

The seminar and panel discussion, organised by the University of Vaasa, Kvarken Space Center, and the EU-partially funded InnoWind project, were moderated by Professor Heidi Kuusniemi. The experts included Tiina Nurmi, Chief Advisor of International Collaboration at Business Finland; Dr. Ali Nadir Arslan, Senior Scientist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Adjunct Professor at the University of Vaasa; Veera Villikari, Advocacy Manager at Renewables Finland; and Mathias Skog, Business Development Manager at OX2.

The panel discussion at the end of the seminar also sparked lively conversation among the audience.

Recognising excellence in science communication and presenting posters 

The University of Vaasa granted Associate Professor of Marketing Henna Syrjälä the University of Vaasa Science Communication Award in recognition of her contribution to the popularisation and communication of science and for her role in fostering dialogue in society. Additionally, honorary mentions were granted to Professor Emeritus of Public Management Ari Salminen and Professor of Energy Technology Maciej Mikulski for their contributions to science communication.

The awards were presented during the Research Exhibition on Energy, organised by the university as part of Vaasa EnergyWeek on Wednesday. The exhibition offered attendees with the latest insights into energy research in the Vaasa region. The researchers presented their science posters and discussed their research and projects with the public.

Read more about the awards

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Cybersecurity on the spotlight

Petra Berg, postdoctoral researcher and Bahaa Eltahawy, project researcher at the University of Vaasa participated in the Enhancing Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector for SMEs panel at Energy Week on Thursday. The panel discussed ways to protect critical infrastructure and safeguard operations, and how SMEs can use cybersecurity measures to gain a competitive advantage in the energy sector.

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– Security and trust are at the heart of all business and the value it creates, covering customers, products and the technology used by the company - trust is a value proposition, Berg said.

The key is to change the mindset that cybersecurity is just a matter for the IT department. It is primarily the responsibility of the users themselves.

– Cybersecurity is also about culture and behaviour. Behaviour can be managed within the company, but culture is more difficult - many of us have not lived long in the digital age. If a company wants to stay in business in the future, cyber issues need to be taken as seriously as business in general.

The panelists also included Jadranka Lovrić, Senior Project Manager for European Digital Innovation Hub (CROBOHUB++) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing and Henrik Madsen, Head of the Centre for IT-Intelligent Energy Systems in Cities (CITIES) and Section Head of Dynamical Systems, Applied Mathematics, and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark. Panel discussion was organised by the University of Vaasa.

Working life requires new types of personnel management and the courage to raise issues

On Thursday, there was also a discussion about the future workforce and turning diversity into a competitive advantage at the Future Workforce seminar. Finnish working life is evolving rapidly, and workplaces are becoming more diverse than ever. Research shows that inclusive workplaces boost employee well-being, foster innovation, and strengthen employer brands, directly driving business success.

Senior Lecturer Susanna Kultalahti gave a keynote about understanding generational needs.

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– Commitment is changing. The newer generation's loyalty is not to the company itself, but rather to the job, the work community, the supervisor, or even career advancement. These are the keys for companies to engage young people and offer them suitable solutions, such as meaningful job descriptions, a good atmosphere, good supervision, and development opportunities.

– Young people today talk a lot about well-being and responsibility and raise issues, which can improve the entire working life. We need new types of personnel management and the courage to raise issues. The same for everyone or what each deserves and needs – that is the challenge for supervisors and personnel management!

Professor Maciej Mikulski participated in the Engine Technology seminar on Thursday. Mikulski talked about the Integrated Hydrogen-Argon Power Cycle (iHAPC) project. The project consortium, led by the University of Vaasa, aims to revolutionise the energy sector by showcasing sustainable hydrogen-argon power cycle (H-APC) at pilot scale. The concept is targeting unprecedented power generation efficiency with net-zero emissions.

– This project is very ambitious and it takes many steps to reach the goals. To complete a large-scale project like this, it comes with challenges which is totally normal. Otherwise we would have it done already. We are lucky to have such strong and dedicated consortium where each party has their own role, Mikulski said. 

Last year, the University of Vaasa also introduced a joint energy laboratory together with Wärtsilä, VTT and University of Oulu. The facility plays an important role in the iHAPC project as it enables the infrastructure for the H-APC technology demonstration.

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Students got to roast representatives of universities and companies in the region 

At the Energy Academy's Back to the Future Roast! roasting event, representatives from universities and local companies had the chance to answer students' tricky questions. 

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The students asked about the attractiveness of the area, the use of AI and the connections between studies and working life.

Energy Academy is a cooperation model between universities and leading companies in the Vaasa region. It is designed to increase the appeal of the area to students and graduates as well as to create better connections between working life.