Period: 20.6.2024 - 30.11.2025

Content: In Vaasa, there is the most significant hub for electrical and energy technology expertise in the Nordic countries, characterized by the mutual integration of industry companies and higher education institutions. There is also specific expertise in digitalization and robotics related to manufacturing industries.

Technobothnia is a joint educational and research laboratory complex of the University of Vaasa, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, and Yrkeshögskolan Novia. The current equipment at Technobothnia is partially outdated and no longer meets the needs of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) activities, industry collaboration, and educational activities required by the dual transition. The investments in the group project enable the updating of Technobothnia's RDI environments to meet future needs. The project planning has been done in collaboration between Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, Yrkeshögskolan Novia, and the University of Vaasa, based on the common vision of Technobothnia's owners regarding the development needs arising from the Industry 5.0 transition. In a clean transition, energy production and consumption shift to electricity-based, either directly or indirectly.

The NGTB project strengthens the dual transition by combining digitalization with specific expertise in electrical and energy technology and measurement technology to meet the needs of the industry. The investments have significant implications for the energy industry, the development of offshore wind turbines, autonomous maritime transport, surveying technology, and the construction sector. The project's realization enhances the expertise of the Vaasa energy hub and increases the attractiveness of the region. The implementation of the project is important from the perspective of investments directed towards Ostrobothnia. The acquisitions made in the project enable a more versatile use of Technobothnia for teaching and research throughout Finland.

In the subproject of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, acquisitions are being made to enable the use of Technobothnia's HW models (HW=HardWare) for education and research throughout Finland. The HW models behave like real power plants; they are functional models of actual power plants. They can be connected to electricity and operate electronically, just like their prototypes. One such model can be used, for example, in a class as a laboratory exercise around a specific theme. Through the project, Technobothnia's equipment inventory is supplemented, which is needed for the HW models related to wind power and energy storage. This creates an environment that allows the modeling of existing HW models into digital twins and their control in a virtual environment. Digital twins are complemented by system-level models, including a virtual power plant and an energy management system. The investment project results in modern mobile robots available for all three universities. These robots can be used for piloting in businesses and various sectors of public administration. Through these robots, research and utilization of 5G networks can be explored, generating essential expertise and capabilities for the utilization of telecommunications networks and artificial intelligence.

The key goal of the sub-project of the University of Vaasa is to upgrade the technology of the Metal Additive Manufacturing laboratory to a new level by diversifying the material selection and expanding the possibilities for the use of reactive and non-reactive metals. The project involves software acquisitions related to topology optimization and expands the material repertoire of metal printing through equipment acquisitions, including reactive materials such as aluminum and cobalt-chrome. Both measures together promote the technical development of the laboratory and its ability to respond to the needs of local companies. As a result of these measures, the laboratory will rise to a new level in terms of technology and expertise, creating positive impacts on local industry and innovation activities. The development of laboratories and the update of the service offering are carried out in collaboration with VAMK in the project.

In Novia's sub-project, the focus is on building and developing expertise in vibration spectroscopy, real-time 3D LiDAR, and offshore sonars by implementing investments and introducing equipment in these areas. The basis for Novia's sub-project is the need to invest in vibration spectroscopy, a measurement technique in continuous demand in the region. The sub-project also invests in 3D LiDAR combined with real-time software, which is already needed and will also enable future development work. The project plan includes investments in sonars, which are particularly important given the expected strong growth in offshore wind power in the region.

Focus area: Hållbar energiteknik

Campus: Vasa Wolffskavägen 33

Financers: Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden (ERUF) 2021-2027

Project owner: Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu

Project manager: John Dahlbacka

Partners: Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, Vaasan yliopisto, Novia