Advancing Community Energy: Highlights from COPOWER visit in Oulu

The Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme funded 4^th COPOWER project meeting and thematic seminar was hosted by the University of Oulu, and took place in the city of Oulu (Finland) from January 21st–22nd. During the two days, project partners had useful discussions and worked together to plan the next steps for the COPOWER project.

Day 1 Highlights:

The day began with productive discussions and planning sessions focused on project progress and upcoming goals. Partners shared updates and collaborated on refining strategies for implementing the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) concept.

In the afternoon, partners visited Jahotec Ltd, a farm-scale biogas plant that converts organic waste into renewable energy to power local communities.

The group also toured Volter Ltd, home of the innovative “Walter” CHP unit. This system produces electricity by gasifying wood chips and repurposes waste heat for farming, industrial use, underfloor heating, and more. These visits offered valuable insights into the practical application of distributed energy resources and their role in sustainability.

Day 2 Highlights:

Day 2 of the Oulu visit began with an inspiring thematic seminar where partners presented their Distributed Energy Resources (DER) pilots:

·        Biogas Plant with Battery Storage by Fabian Sanders from Centria University of Applied Science, balancing energy supply and demand with smart technology.

·        Smart Energy Management for Detached Homes by Markku Kananen from the University of Oulu, optimising electricity use without sacrificing comfort.

·        Resilient Residential Energy by Rúnar Unnþórsson from the University of Iceland, using predictive controls and battery storage for better efficiency.

·        Microgrid for Former Army Barracks by Paul Early from Donegal County Council, integrating DERs to support distributed buildings.

·        AI-Driven Space Heating by Bjarti Thomsen from Nólsoy Energy Ltd, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.

COPOWER project partners also had the chance to visit the Oulu University of Applied Sciences Hybrid Laboratory, where cutting-edge energy solutions are being tested and developed. This visit highlighted the practical, hands-on research that supports innovation in sustainable energy.

Leah Ryan, COPOWER project lead partner from ERNACT shared that “Our time in Oulu has been very productive! The partnership had the opportunity to present their pilot plans and discuss key details, from software development to battery optimisation. This in-person collaboration is crucial for the development of these pilots, the knowledge sharing has proven to be invaluable.”

These inspiring initiatives, combined with the insightful site visits, demonstrate the incredible potential of renewable energy technologies to transform communities and build a sustainable future.

Stay tuned as we continue to share updates from the COPOWER project!