Energy
Head of Research Programme: Chief scientist Samu Valpola
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The energy research programme provides energy-related information as part of Finland’s efforts
to reduce its dependence on imported fuels and lower the impact of energy production on climate
change. Organized around the themes of geoenergy, bioenergy and nuclear power, the programme seeks
to apply basic research findings to commercially viable applications. It promotes energy-efficient
business models and technologies, and provides policy-makers, urban planners and other officials
with unbiased research data on domestic renewable energy sources.
The programme focuses on development of ways to assess potential geoenergy resources. Joint
development projects with companies and other research organizations and service providers on
commercial geoenergy applications are stressed. GTK has done extensive work on ground-source
heating and cooling at the district level and for large targets such as shopping centres, office
buildings, hotels, and public buildings. GTK’s geoenergy work combines in-house research and strong
international integration with leading firms and research institutes.
Peat biomass studies pursue two objectives. Testing efforts focus on cost-effective
utilization of peat areas, along with development of geophysical applications in peat mire mapping
and use of peat as a raw material in the production of biodiesel fuels. A second objective is to
prepare a comprehensive bioenergy balance sheet in cooperation with other national agencies,
including the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla).
GTK acts as an independent expert to develop geodata, particularly the ultimate siting of
nuclear waste and evaluation of proposed nuclear power plant sites. In the area of nuclear waste
management, the emphasis is on bedrock modelling, studies of filler materials and the chemistry and
dispersion of groundwater.
The programme also examines opportunities for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration.
Development of original solutions is emphasized with a view to the emerging international demand
for CO
2 capture and sequestration.
Programme
goals:
- Generate research data on safe handling and disposal of nuclear waste (storage) and for planning and construction of additional nuclear power plants.
- Peat biomass studies and assessment
- Promotion of large-scale ground-source heating (soil, bedrock, lakes, etc.) solutions
- Research geological possibilities for capture and sequestration of CO 2