Energy Road
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The Energy Road was an operational environment improvement project, which intended to produce development, testing and presentation services for companies specialising in the use of wood for energy production in North Karelia.

Main activities

• Establishment of The Energy Road Information Centre in cooperation with businesses in Tuupovaara, • Arrangement of nine information events and three seminars on the subject of bioenergy, • Organizing lectures for schools in the region on the subject of renewable energy sources; Presenting functional sites that use bioenergy, • Arrangement of several educational and seminar trips to Russia, • Completing a study regarding bioenergy use for 25 different heating sites, • Assisting companies in product development or the introduction and marketing of a finished product.

Achievements

The Energy Road Information Centre, which showcases renewable energy, was established in cooperation with businesses in Tuupovaara. The centre featured brochures regarding wood energy, literature pertaining to the bioenergy industry, and, for equipment demonstration purposes, a pellet heating system operated by wind energy. The project held nine information events on the subject of bioenergy and organised three seminars for experts. In addition, the project organised lectures on the subject of renewable energy sources for the schools in its region. Presenting functional sites that use bioenergy was a significant part of the training. The project also arranged several educational and seminar trips to Russia. During the project, a study regarding bioenergy use for 25 different heating sites was completed. The project sped up implementation of participating companies’ product development projects: seeking suitable contacts, expertise regarding financing arrangement options and product patenting as well as the possibility to engage in marketing cooperation made it easier to bring products under development to the market. The results of the cooperation with Russia included the JPK Tuote Oy export agency in Petrozavodsk, bioenergy technology certification assessments for Russian export purposes and the Tolvajärvi travel hotel heating and electrical plan. In addition, Vapo Oy negotiated the export of heat production facilities and associated activity to Russian Karelia.