GigaVaasa

🔋 The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment announced on October 23rd that the European Commission has selected 85 innovative net-zero projects to promote the adoption of top-level clean technologies across Europe. FREYR Battery Finland Oy is one of four projects based in Finland that will receive support from the EU Innovation Fund. A total of 260 million euros will be granted to Finland, but the specific amounts for each project have not yet been disclosed. FREYR Battery Finland Oy will receive support for the construction of a factory in Vaasa to produce cathode material for batteries. The company, together with its partners, will manufacture cathode material used in LFP batteries at the factory. The GigaVaasa team is delighted with the news: 💬 “This takes FREYR Battery’s project one step closer to realization. Warm congratulations to the company for this step; now both the environmental permit and part of the funding are in place. We look forward to the rapid progress of the project in the Vaasa region!” #gigavaasa #akkuarvoketju #batteryvaluechain #freyrbattery 🔗 The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment’s press release in Finnish: https://lnkd.in/dtPDTq-W

🍂 In the beginning of October, Nordic Battery Visit in Vaasa had two days full of questions, discussions, challenges, meetings, inspiration and lively encounters. We thank all participants, see you again! 👋 💙 The event was organised by the GigaVaasa team (Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, Technology Centre Merinova Oy, Vaasan kaupunki - Vasa stad - City of Vaasa, Vaasa Facilita) in cooperation with Business Finland, Business Sweden, Innovasjon Norge, and Nordic Innovation. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/g2jixyPn #nordicbatterycollaboration #gigavaasa #energyvaasa #innokaupungit #innocities

🔋The second day of the Nordic Regional Battery visit dived deep into the implementation of batteries and its role for the green transition within the maritime sector and the working machine industry. 🛥️ First up, the marine and battery session highlighted the rapid development of electrification and battery solutions for maritime logistics and transportation on a local and global scale. The need for more supply and assets to keep up with the development was one of the issues raised by the speakers. The following panel discussion focused on the next steps of the development and the importance of collaboration. “There are several new players coming into the maritime industry whose ideas and infrastructure is needed to build green maritime corridors. This means that ten or more companies need to work together on a harmonized goal,” highlighted Teemu Kyläkallio from Rauma Marine Constructions. 🏗️The topic then turned to the working machine cluster in Finland and the trends from the R&D, the industry and the manufacturing points of view. The safety and reliability of batteries were raised as some of the key focus areas. The panelists also discussed the growth of the Electric Vehicles by pointing out the difference between the consumer and industry markets. While electric vehicles are big investments causing private consumers to hesitate, the electrification within the working machine industry is, and will be, obligatory due to government regulations, making the change inevitable. #nordicbatterycollaboration #gigavaasa #energyvaasa #batteryvisit #batteryvaluechain 💙 🧡 Hanna Brasar, Business Sweden Benedicte Fasmer Waaler, Innovasjon Norge Ilkka Homanen, Business Finland Mårten Storbacka, WE Tech Solutions Oy Tord Ringenhall, Candela Teemu Kyläkallio, Rauma Marine Constructions Oy Tone Hartvedt, Invest in Bergen Johannes Hyrynen, VTT Mikko Valtee, Sandvik Juuso Kelkka, Valmet Automotive Heini Wallander, Business Tampere 🤝 In cooperation: GigaVaasa team (Vaasa Region Development Company, Technology Centre Merinova Oy , City of Vaasa, Vaasa Facilita) together with Business Finland, Business Sweden, Innovation Norway and Nordic Innovation. 🌍 Co-funded by the European Union

🔋 ⚡The fourth Nordic Regional Battery Visit in Vaasa, Finland focuses on the green transformation of the Nordics. Wasa Innovation Centre was jam packed with energetic folks, true battery enthusiasts. The biggest question asked on Tuesday, 1st day of Battery visit was “Nordics, Gigafactories, dream or reality?” The panelist were unanimous: The sustainability factor is the key. Sustainable and renewable energy is more important than low energy prices. As regarding the regulation the panel concluded that 💬"regulation that works and helps our goals to become more self sufficient in Europe is in fact good regulation". We got to hear Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö – Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Finland) s take on the Building of Finnish Battery Cluster. Mr. Jyrki Alkio concluded by saying that he sees good times coming: 💬”There is a future we can build together.” The second panel of the day discussed about the foreign investments and full value chain possibilities. The panelists discussed a lot about the topic of China: 💬"Even if we do everything right, we can't beat China, which is rapidly becoming a leading innovator in advanced technologies." The most important quote of the day: 💬 "There are challenges yes, but opportunities for sure. Electrification is the way forward". #nordicbatterycollaboration #gigavaasa #energyvaasa #batteryvisit #batteryvaluechain 💙 🧡 Hanna Brasar, Business Sweden 
 Benedicte Fasmer Waaler, Innovasjon Norge 
 Ilkka Hornanen, Business Finland 
 Tomas Häyry, GigaVaasa Vaasan kaupunki - Vasa stad - City of Vaasa 
 Niklas Bennwik, Swedish Embassy Ina Nygård Mossin, Norwegian Embassy
 Tor Stendahl, FREYR Battery 
 Rigel Zhirui Li, Shanshan
 Arne Fredrik Lånke, Elinor Batteries 
 Riitta Bjorkenheim, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK 
 Jyrki Alkio, Ministry of Economic affairs and employment of Finland
 Jarkko Vesa, Not Innovated Here - Laboratory of Creative Destruction Jukka Salmela, Finnish Minerals Group - Suomen Malmijalostus Oy 
 Jenni Bäck, CNGR Finland Oy 
 Pål Runde, Battery Norway 🤝 In cooperation: GigaVaasa team (Vaasa Region Development Company, Technology Centre Merinova Oy , City of Vaasa, Vaasa Facilita ) together with Business Finland, Business Sweden, Innovation Norway and Nordic Innovation 🌍 Co-funded by the European Union

Vaasa is set to host the Nordic Regional Battery Visit, a significant event aimed at fostering Nordic cooperation in the battery value chain, on October 1st and 2nd . This event, organized by GigaVaasa together with Business Finland, Business Sweden and Innovation Norway, promises a comprehensive program that highlights the Nordic perspective on building a sustainable battery ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/dr4_gu4r

During Nordic Battery Collaboration (1-2.10.2024 Vaasa, Finland) Mr. Mikko Valtee from Sandvik will present why electrification is a game changer in mining. Sustainability Zero CO2 emissions, less waste due to smaller machines and regenerative braking as standard reduce GHG emissions and help you meet your sustainability targets Better productivity - lower costs Less heat output results in lower costs for ventilation and cooling, which, when combined with higher acceleration, operating speed and loading times, provides a strong business case. Health and Safety Better health and safety conditions for workers Zero diesel emissions, significant reductions in heat and lower noise and vibration levels all contribute towards an environment that is healthier and safer for your operators. How to register: https://lnkd.in/d64VTweW

👋 Vaasa is set to host the Nordic Regional Battery Visit, a significant event aimed at fostering Nordic cooperation in the battery value chain, on October 1st and 2nd. This event, organized by GigaVaasa together with Business Finland, Business Sweden and Innovasjon Norge, promises a comprehensive program that highlights the Nordic perspective on building a sustainable battery ecosystem. 💬 "The theme of the event is the Nordic clean transition. And what better place to hold the event than Vaasa. The event provides a good continuation of the discussions related to the development of the battery value chain from EnergyWeek and Wasa Future Festival and offers an opportunity to communicate the progress of the GigaVaasa area" says Anna-Kaisa Valkama. 👉 Read more and register: https://lnkd.in/d-5jwXN3 See you in Vaasa! #innocities Innokaupungit - Innocities #gigavaasa #energyvaasa #batteryvaluechain

On the third afternoon of the Wasa Future Festival, we talked about the future of the Finnish energy system and held roundtable discussions on the GigaVaasa Sari Kola Technology Centre Merinova Oy presented perspectives on the development of the power market and the panel discussion answered questions such as: What does the development of the power market require from energy companies? What is Fingrid’s role? What actions is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment taking?  Members of the panel were Stefan Damlin Vaasan Sähkö Oy, Kirsi Hautala Kokkolan Energia Oy, Hannu Linna, Fingrid Oyj and Kenneth Engblom, Wärtsilä GigaVaasa round table discussions covered three themes: Preparing for investment in the GigaVaasa area: Where do we stand? Making mega-investments a reality: Strategies for success, and The role of public authorities in fostering investment: How can they help? First Tor Stendahl, FREYR Battery Finland, Yuan Ruwei, Shanshan New Material and Heli Rasimus Epsilon Advanced Materials shed some light on where their projects lie at the moment. Janne Peltola Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö – Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Finland), mayor Tomas Häyry GigaVaasaTeam and Miapetra Kumpula-Natri Member of Parliament also got their turn to tell what has been made on local, national and EU level in order to build the best possible battery value chain in Finland. ”We wouldn’t be here without seamless cooperation with all the actors, government, ministrys etc.” mayor Tomas Häyry reminded. Markku Kivisto, Business Finland, Jaani Pietikäinen European Investment Bank (EIB) and Matti Hietanen Finnish Minerals Group - Suomen Malmijalostus Oy got the stage with the last round table discussion where the hot topic was financing the investments. #energyvaasa #gigavaasa

🔋 In the Energy storage seminar we asked how to speed up Nordic battery value chain investment? What is the best way to move forward, do we wait or take an active role? Petri Parviainen, Fingrid Oyj reminded that energy storage and power grid businesses has taken a big leap to the right direction in 2023 in Finnish power system. 💬 “The transition creates challenges since most of the electric production is becoming converter connected and will vary according to weather. Grid forming control functionalities are seen as promising solution to tackle stability issues seen in the converter dominated grid caused by conventional grid-following control.” Industry response was given by Petri Kärki, Hitachi Energy and Ola Scheire, Equinor Ventures in a panel discussion Frank Bråthen, Siemens Digital Industries Norway asked about partnerships, is it about waiting or taking the active role? According to Bråthen 85 million motor vehicles are produced globally every year and 16,5 million of them in Europe. 💬 "Lower battery prices are expected to eventually boost demand of electric vehicles.” In a panel discussion number to the industry response was given by Staffan Södergård, ABB, Tor Stendahl, FREYR Battery Finland and Heli Rasimus, Epsilon Advanced Materials Pvt. Ltd.. Stendahl promised to fight for Finland even though he admitted that subsidies matter too even if Finland has all the other benefits in check. 💬 “Small tokens from government are important. We have 2 to 3-year window to build battery value chain here.” Energy Storage exhibition in the Festival hall until 5 PM, see you there! #energyweek #energyvaasa

The recently completed impact model reveals: A significant number of new jobs are being created in the Vaasa region as a direct effect of battery industry investments ✅ 5,000 to 10,000 new jobs, of which 2,000 to 5,000 in the Vaasa region ✅ 111 to 224 million euros from wages to consumption Major investments have significant effects on the economy of the region and its municipalities ✅ EUR 1.3 to 2.7 billion of value added, of which EUR 0.8 to 1.7 billion would be allocated to the Vaasa region ✅ EUR 3.7 to 7.8 billion in output, of which EUR 2.6 to 5.4 billion in the Vaasa region Indirect impacts extend to the whole country and to national growth ✅ Most significant tax effects from municipal taxes and corporate tax revenues ✅ VAT and corporate tax revenues very significant 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/daZFmSd2