Period: 1.5.2024 - 30.4.2026

Content: A new leaf - for the greenhouse production.

In accordance with Finland's climate and energy strategy, Finland should
achieve climate neutrality by 2035. This places demands on the future energy
systems, where fossil fuels and peat are phased out in favour of more renewable
energy sources. At the same time, Ostrobothnia is at the forefront when it
comes to the use and utilization of wind power, and good regional development
conditions also exist for solar power, energy storage and the hydrogen economy.
The more flexible energy systems create previously unimagined opportunities for
the greenhouse industry to both reduce dependence on peat and other
non-renewable fuels, and to access cheap electricity and waste heat. However,
in order to make use of and benefit from the rapidly arising energy surpluses
and energy peaks generated by renewable energy sources, new ways of working are
needed.

The two-year project "A New Leaf – for the greenhouse production" has as its
main goal to raise the understanding, the level of knowledge as well as the
preparedness of the region's greenhouse producers when it comes to energy
optimization and storage. In order to bring about this change, the project will
go through different areas of the greenhouse's energy system – heating,
dehumidification and lighting - and within all these areas:1) Compile the
information on what has already been tested and what results have been
achieved, and to put the international greenhouse research results in a Finnish
and Ostrobothnian perspective2) Investigate and identify the future
opportunities that the expansion of wind power and hydrogen plants create for
the greenhouse industry when it comes to energy supply and energy
optimization3) Support the greenhouse industry by mapping the possibilities for
energy storage and energy optimization from both an economic and production
efficiency perspective, based on modelling, simulations and profitability
calculations4) Disseminate information to the target group and give producers
the tools needed for decision-making and to make their own energy use more
efficient.

Through these measures, the project aims to1) strengthen the operating
conditions and preparedness of the Ostrobothnian greenhouse industry,2) create
better conditions for the greenhouse producers to make good investment
decisions and develop their business in a sustainable and profitable way, and3)
create better opportunities when it comes to exploiting the opportunities that
renewable energy sources bring.

Focus area: Hållbar energiteknik

Campus: Vasa Wolffskavägen 33

Financers: JTF

Project owner: Yrkeshögskolan Novia

Project manager: Peter Wiik