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About us
What is VEBIC
VEBIC is a multidisciplinary research and innovation platform at the University of Vaasa responding to the local, national and global needs of efficient energy business and sustainable development goals. By combining a unique set of resources: top-level researchers, versatile infrastructure, business community know-how, support from international networks and government involvement, VEBIC joins forces with its stakeholders to achieve a broader business and societal impact at all pertinent levels.
VEBIC Mission and Vision
VEBIC vision for 2030: VEBIC combats climate change through enhancing sustainable and just energy transition via impactful multidisciplinary research
VEBIC mission for 2030: VEBIC is a recognized research centre & coordination platform at Nordic level and a reliable EU consortium partner with strong industry collaboration. VEBIC’s RDI actions focus on enhancing the development of regenerative and resilient socio-technical energy systems from a GLOCAL view
Key functions:
- to engage and connect stakeholders,
- to enforce networks and cooperation in relevant fields in Vaasa, Finland and the EU area
- to facilitate, coordinate and manage internal and external multidisciplinary R&D innovations
- to provide academic services that link academia and companies with focus on RDI activities, networking, academic and business support and infrastructure development
- to valorise science
Focus areas
VEBIC work is organised in two interacting research programmes, three research laboratories and one educational laboratory. Research Programme 1 focuses on Future Resilient Energy Systems, whereas Research Programme 2 focuses on Energy Transition Management. VEBIC laboratories enable innovative research and testing activities related to combustion engines, future fuels, and integration of future reliable electrical and energy systems.
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VEBIC operational model
The VEBIC team consists of a director, research programme managers, project managers, and supporting staff. VEBIC is directly linked to the Schools through tenure track professors, and through wider collaboration with professors and researchers in the schools.
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Networks and collaboration
VEBIC’s industrial network
VEBIC collaborates closely with the different stakeholders within the Vaasa Energy cluster. In addition to research and development related collaboration and co-creation, shared understanding and mutual interest are visible in VEBIC’s advisory board. The advisory board consists of the key industrial companies, research organisations and municipal actors within the local ecosystem.
Financing partners: ABB, Citec, Danfoss/Vacon, Leinolat, Pohjanmaa Chamber of Commerce, Business Finland (Tekes), University of Vaasa, Vaasan Sähkö, Vaasa Parks, VEO, Wapise, Wärtsilä Finland
Company partners: Veljekset Ala-Talkkari Oy, Skaala IFN Oy, EAB Group Oyj, The Switch, Viria, Comsel Systems Oy, ALVA, Arcteq Oy, Westenergy Oy, Wega, EPV Energia Oy, Jyväskylän Energia
Other organisations: Vaasan kaupunki, Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, Novia, Helsinging yliopisto, Åbo Akademi, VASEK
Collaboration
VEBIC works closely with stakeholders at different levels with investment plans, research and innovation joint projects and company projects. At national and Nordic level, we collaborate with the main players. At European level, VEBIC belongs to Working group 5 “Innovation and implementation in the Business environment” of The European Technology & Innovation Platform – Smart Network for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET).
VEBIC FREESI laboratory is a member of the DERlab, an association of leading laboratories and research institutes in the field of distributed energy resources equipment and systems
EnergyVaasa is the leading cluster in energy technology in the Nordic region and an engine for Finnish exports
The cluster is made up of 160 companies in the industry, many of which are global market leaders of their niche. A total of 12,000 people are employed by the companies, which have a combined turnover of 5 billion euros. 80 percent of sales come from exports, and it’s these exports that are so significant, because they account for 25 percent of Finland’s total exports in energy technology.
EnergyVaasa is also known for its extensive investments in research and development, which has tripled in recent years. Meanwhile, the staff who work with research and development has doubled.
Merinova started EnergyVaasa in 2001. EnergyVaasa’s objective was to establish contacts with such decision making bodies in Vaasa, which at the time were not Merinova’s owners. When EnergyVaasa was founded, it was expressly companies belonging to the group. The group’s idea was to come up with new ideas for the OSKE programme and create different types of energy demos in Vaasa.
Among these projects are a small wind power demonstration by the roundabout at Farmarevägen and Ladugårdsvägen, some small wind turbines at the University of Vaasa and an electric car at Technobothnia.