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Kuvituskuva

VEBIC

Vaasa Energy Business Innovation Centre

A multidisciplinary research and innovation platform

VEBIC addresses the local, national and global needs of energy production, energy business and sustainable development. It contributes to climate change mitigation by promoting sustainable, just energy transition through impactful, multidisciplinary research. VEBIC collaborates closely with its stakeholders to achieve a broader business and societal impact for research at all pertinent levels.

We collaborate with the local energy ecosystem
We engage and connect stakeholders, and enforce networks and cooperation in relevant fields in Vaasa, Finland and the EU area 
We facilitate, coordinate and manage internal and external multidisciplinary R&D innovation projects

Research programmes

VEBIC work is organised in two interacting research programmes: Future Resilient Energy Systems and Energy Transition Management.

Future Resilient Energy Systems (FRES) is a research programme that explores the energy transition from a technological point of view. FRES enhances RDI work on low CO2 emission energy production technologies, smart grids and flexible energy resources in the context of future integrated energy systems interconnecting different energy vectors into the electrical grid.  In the low CO2 emission energy production technologies research work focuses mainly on internal combustion engine and biogas based power plants, their grid integration, and on alternative gaseous fuels and their usage in energy production and in transportation.

In Smart Grids, RDI work focus lies on  advanced ICT based protection, fault management and condition monitoring solutions, as well as cyber – physical security & resiliency and IEC 61850.

In flexible energy resources RDI focus is on control of distributed energy resources (DER) inverter interfaces, energy storage applications,  flexibility services, sector coupling, microgrids / energy communities, as well as new market structures. The FRES programme collaborates closely with VEBIC’s energy transition management oriented ETM Programme.

Energy Transition Management (ETM)is a new research programme that explores energy transition from multiple angles and perspectives, emphasising on the behavioral, strategic, technological, social, economic, political, and regulative aspects of the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

Energy transition is considered a systemic, multi-level phenomenon, where the transition is embedded and depends on the complex relationships and interactions of different stakeholders. At the micro-level, the RDI-efforts are directed to business innovation and the emergence of future energy markets and technologies, especially related to consumer behavior, business model and business innovation, change management, and strategy implementation and practices.

At the meso-level, the focus is on industry architecture and technological innovation, including sustainable ecosystems, value systems, and solutions and technologies. Finally, the energy transition is approached as a socio-technical system at the macro-level, where systemic transition, system resilience and regeneration, and environmental, financial, and policy innovations are key research themes. The ETM programme collaborates closely with VEBIC’s more technologically oriented Future Resilient Energy systems programme.

Extensive collaboration 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

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Latest updates

Projects

Project Duration Funders
InnoWind Innovative Offshore Wind Power Infrastructure Service and Maintenance Business - EU - Just Transition Fund (JTF), The Regional Council of Ostrobothnia
Carbon neutral, fair and sustainable energy communities in South Ostrobothnia - EU - Just Transition Fund (JTF), Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, University of Vaasa, Helsingin yliopisto, Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu VAMK
Development of the regional energy system in Ostrobothnia - EU - Just Transition Fund (JTF), Esse Elektro-Kraft Ab, University of Vaasa, Aktion Österbotten
Hydrogen economy in South Ostrobothnia - EU - European regional development fund ERDF & ESF (2021-2027)
Future Proof - EU - European regional development fund ERDF & ESF (2021-2027)
DigiBiogasHubs – Flexible and scalable biogas business through digitally connected biogas Hubs - EU - European regional development fund ERDF & ESF (2021-2027), Wärtsilä, Stormossen, PK Biogas, Kokkolan kaupunki, Kannuksen kaupunki, Kaustinen sub-region
DAZE - Data Analytics for Zero Emission Marine - Business Finland, Companies
KvarkenData - EU - European regional development fund ERDF & ESF (2021-2027), The Regional Council of Ostrobothnia
NextGen - EU - European regional development fund ERDF & ESF (2021-2027)
Green Battery - EU - Interreg Aurora

Contact us

Research platform's coordinator

Kuva
Kimmo Kauhaniemi

Kimmo Kauhaniemi

Professor
School of Technology and Innovations, Electrical Engineering
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498287
Toimisto
Fabriikki F343
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Other leadership team members

Kuva
Mona Enell-Nilsson

Mona Enell-Nilsson

Research Director
School of Marketing and Communication, Marketing
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498400
Toimisto
Tritonia T605
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Kuva
Raine Hermans

Raine Hermans

Dean
School of Technology and Innovations
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498622
Toimisto
Ankkuri K203
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Kuva
Vanja Piljak

Vanja Piljak

Associate Professor (tenure track)
School of Accounting and Finance, Finance Group
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498503
Toimisto
Tervahovi D321
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Kuva
Rodrigo Rabetino Sabugo

Rodrigo Rabetino Sabugo

Professor
School of Management, Strategic Management
Puhelin
+358294498451
Toimisto
Ankkuri 3.floor
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