Program 2025
The diverse program included interesting expert presentations, workshops, site visits, and networking opportunities both at the partner exhibition area and during the evening program.
FUTURE ENERGY SOLUTIONS 2025
Energy Innovations
TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
9.00 – 11.00 ROUND TABLE
(pre-registration required)
Bottlenecks in Innovation, Research on micro and small enterprises, AKKE South-Karelian Union, Outi-Maaria Palo-oja and Minna Ikävalko, LAB University of Applied Sciences
Discussion in Finnish, brief English summary at the end.
LOCATION: Saimaa Cabinet at Original Sokos Hotel Lappee, Brahenkatu 1.
9.00 – 11.00 WORKSHOP
(pre-registration required)
Advancing Green Electrification: Horizon Europe Training to Boost EU Funding for South Karelia (more information), Karthikeyan Natarajan and Tiina Jauhiainen, LUT University.
LOCATION: Scandic Patria, Kauppakatu 21.
10.00 – 12.00 Registration, Coffee and Networking
Coffee will be served in the City Theatre lobby, where you can also explore the exhibition area.
10.00 – 12.00 Lunch
Lunch is at your own expense and can be enjoyed at one of the many nearby restaurants in the city centre. Kattava Catering offers special rates at. See their restaurants and menus.
12.00 – 13.45 WELCOME SESSION
Welcome words – Johannes Malkamäki, Moderator
Greetings from the City of Lappeenranta – Joonas Grönlund, Chair of the City Council
Keynote 1: Clean transition: Path to competitiveness and climate neutrality – Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment
Keynote 2: Finnish Innovations to save the World. A Solar Food Story. – Pasi Vainikka, Co-founder & member of board, Solar Foods
Electrification of district heating – Pauli Hiltunen, Post-Doctoral Researcher, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
District heating in Lappeenranta – Rami Koivula, Development Manager, Lappeenrannan Energia
Enhanced sustainability with energy flexible buildings – Risto Kosonen, Full Professor, Aalto University
Case example: Sand battery by Polar Night Energy – Tommi Eronen, CEO, Polar Night Energy
13.45 – 14.15 Coffee and Networking
14.15 – 16.00 DIGITAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
Opening of the session – Johannes Malkamäki, Moderator
AI solutions in energy system – Adrián Carrasco, Lead Data Scientist, Inetum
Real life sector integration case study – Nikolas Salomaa, Founder and CEO, nolla_E
Demand response of electricity – Samuli Honkapuro, Tenured Professor, LUT University
Digitalization and flexibility as pathway to a net-zero building sector in Copenhagen – Theis Hybschmann Petersen, Senior Advisor, City of Copenhagen
Panel discussion: Experiences of digital energy system pilots – Theis Hybschmann Petersen, City of Copenhagen; Rami Koivula, Lappeenrannan Energia; Risto Kosonen, Aalto University; Nikolas Salomaa, nolla_E
16.15 – 17.45 WORKSHOP (pre-registration required)
Planning and developing the smart energy system. Technical solutions and shared experiences from the past and ongoing projects.
LOCATION: Kultturitila Nuijamies, Valtakatu 39.
19 – 22 EVENING CRUISE ON LAKE SAIMAA
Experience a 3-hour cruise on the unique Lake Saimaa aboard M/S Camilla. Pre-registration required. Departure at 19:00 from Lappeenranta Harbour (M/S Camilla, Satamatie 3), just 900 m from the City Theatre. Please be there at 18.45.
The evening includes:
– Dinner
– Networking
– Beautiful lake scenery
– Magic entertainment
WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
8.30 – 9.00 Coffee and Networking
9.00 – 10.30 HYDROGEN ECONOMY
Opening of the session – Johannes Malkamäki, Moderator
Vision for thermochemical conversion of PtX fuels and chemicals – Niko Kinnunen, Associate Professor, LUT University
Germany’s hydrogen ramp-up and its business opportunities – Lotta Westerlund, Deputy CEO, German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce
Hydrogen network – Accelerator for growth and competitiveness – Sanni Kontinen, Development Manager for Hydrogen Valleys, Gasgrid
Preparation, permitting and design of a power-to-x investment in Finland – Aapo Koivuniemi, CEO, ABO Energy
Fireside Chat with the Moderator: Unlocking Capital for P2X Projects – Pia Erkinheimo, Partner Investor Relations & ESG, Nordic Nano
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee and Networking
11.00 – 12.30 FUTURE MOBILITY
Opening of the session – Johannes Malkamäki, Moderator
Toyota’s hydrogen-powered mobility solutions – Pekka Karvinen, LCV & EV Technical Support Manager, Toyota Auto Finland
Perspectives on electrification of heavy traffic – Ville Naumanen, Research Director, Electric Mobility Research Center
Building the Backbone of Hydrogen Mobility in Finland – Juho-Matti Uuksulainen, Project Director for Finland, Vireon
Realisation of Hydrogen: Lessons and challenges – Turi Fiorito, Director, The European Federation of Inland Ports, EFIP
Lappeenranta Airport: current infrastructure and future possibilities – Jukka Himanen, CEO and Accountable Manager, Lappeenranta Airport
Discussion and wrap-up
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch Break
Lunch is at your own expense and can be enjoyed at one of the many nearby restaurants in the city centre. Kattava Catering offers special rates at. See their restaurants and menus.
13.30 – 15.30 SITE VISITS
Pre-registration required. Transportation by bus and safety equipment will be provided. Site visits will depart on Wednesday, 10 September at 13:30 from Brahenkatu, located below the IsoKristiina shopping center.
1. Mertaniemi Power Plant
Presentation, followed by a guided tour of selected areas of the Mertaniemi power plant, including the district heating accumulator, electric boiler, and gas turbines.
2. Neoen Battery Storage & Elstor Thermal Storage
Introduction to the Neoen Yllikkälä Power Reserve 2, the largest battery storage facility in the Nordic countries, and the Elstor high-temperature thermal energy storage site. The visit includes expert presentations and visual insights into the facilities.
3. LUT University Power-to-X Laboratories
Tour of LUT University’s newly completed Power-to-X research facility, showcasing advanced technologies in synthetic fuels and green hydrogen production.