On October 10, 2024, the Finnish Geoenergy Day brought together experts, researchers, and industry professionals at the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) in Espoo. As a hallmark annual event for the geoenergy sector, this year’s program highlighted cutting-edge research and advancements in geoenergy, with a special focus on underground thermal energy storage (UTES).
Event Highlights
A Platform for International and Local Insights
The day featured a dynamic mix of keynote speeches and interactive discussions. The first session, chaired by Teppo Arola (GTK), delved into international perspectives on geothermal energy, including:
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- Challenges in the green transition, presented by Simon Michaux (GTK).
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- Insights into well planning for geothermal projects by Sandeep Dhawan (WellPerform).
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- Energy efficiency measures from the Nedre Glomma study by Randi Kalskin Ramstad (Asplan Viak).
Focus on Large Thermal Storage Systems
The second session, chaired by Tomi Lindroos (VTT), spotlighted large-scale thermal storage projects, including:
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- An overview of the Vantaa cave thermal energy storage (CTES) by Hanna Pitkänen (Vantaan Energia Oy).
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- Insights into the INTERSTORES project by Markku Hagström (GTK), showcasing the project’s contributions to advancing seasonal thermal energy storage (sTES).
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- Hyvinkää pit storage, presented by Otto Kingelin (Hyvinkää Lämpövoima Oy).
Key Industry Developments
The third session, chaired by Asmo Huusko (Poratek ry), addressed current challenges and innovations in geoenergy:
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- Effective water treatment in drilling by Ulla-Maija Liski (Ulla Liski Oy).
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- Advanced tools for calculating energy well impact areas in Helsinki by Kimmo Korhonen (GTK).
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- Emerging business models for heat pumps presented by Jussi Hirvonen (SULPU ry) and Tapo Lehtoranta (Geonova Oy).
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- Updates on Finland’s geothermal energy projects by Teppo Arola (GTK).
The event concluded with a summary and networking session, fostering collaborations across the geoenergy ecosystem.
INTERSTORES Project: Driving Sustainability in Energy Storage
A standout moment was the presentation of the INTERSTORES project by Markku Hagström (GTK). The project plays a vital role in advancing the feasibility of large-scale seasonal thermal energy storage, with a demonstration site in Vantaa, Finland. This innovation underscores the commitment of the geoenergy community to sustainable energy solutions.
Key Takeaways
The Finnish Geoenergy Day 2024 underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices in geoenergy. With over 85 participants, the event successfully showcased how initiatives like INTERSTORES are paving the way for a greener future.
We thank the Geoenergy Day is organized by the Finnish Geoenergy Centre, i.e. the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), SULPU ry and Poratek ry for organizing this impactful event.
For more information about the event, visit: Geoenergy Day 2024
Photos from the Event (Photo Credits: GTK)
