Activity report, NorTech Oulu

Eva Pongrácz. WARES Partner Meeting,

Westport,12.3.2013

WARES at NorTech Oulu

• Activities:– Asset owner involved: Oulu Waterworks

• Agreed on to conduct a research at their facility to map unused energy potential

• Potential to reduce carbon footprint

– Recruitment• We will use students of the Sustainable Energy Master’s

Degree Programme• Research assistant Lauri Mikkonen and trainee Noora Miilumäki

to start May 27th

• Contacts made– Oulu Water Alliance (OWA)– Motiva – Energy Efficiency Agency in Finland

• Seminar series– The plan for seminar series was made– Scientific committee for first seminar selected– Application for external funding in plan

Synergy 1: Hiukkavaara ecocity development

• A showcase smart, sustainable winter city in Oulu – Analysis and development of social sustainability criteria

• To have sustainable solutions for energy, water, waste, city planning, transport, services, citizen involvement– Horizon scanning for social sustainability

• The university if already involved in several of the Hiukkavaara projects– Urban development, lightning design, electric car

infrastructure– We have in plans an industry project to be sent to the

Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes)• In collaboration with Department of Process and

Environmental Engineering, the Centre of Energy and Environment and Oulu Water Alliance

Synergy 2: Environmental technology futures in the Arctic

• SMARCTIC – Roadmap to a smart arctic specialization project • We evaluate the future technologies and their business potential in

the Arctic • Large strategic project funded by Tekes

– I lead WP4 on Resource management and economics

• Case studies to explore:– Smart energy networks– Zero-waste integrates– Carbon neutral mining– Closed mineral and nutrient cycles

Next step for NorTech Oulu

• Energy review at Oulu Waterworks– Pilot site review pending, delivery July 2013?

• Explore the potential for energy efficiency– Also recovery of “waste” energy at waterworks– At the same time look also into the social aspects of renewable

energy generation• Delivery by October 2013

• Call for abstracts for the first seminar• Planning for the international conference to commence• Funding sources:

– Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation• Direct industry funding preferred

– Maa ja vesitekniikan tuki (Civil and water engineering Foundation)– Center for Energy and Environment– Regional Development Funds and Oulu Regional Council (?)