Working for a Sustainable Future Every Day

UN Sustainable Development Goals Day is celebrated on 25 September. At Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, sustainability is embedded in all aspects of our operations, including education, research, development and innovation activities, and everyday choices.

As part of the Energy Vaasa ecosystem, VAMK educates future experts and develops solutions that support the green transition, reduce emissions, and strengthen sustainable growth. Our goal is to transform the Sustainable Development Goals into practical solutions that benefit regional businesses and society.

Hydrogen, energy storage, and power grid flexibility play a key role on the path towards a low-carbon and sustainable energy system. Through its RDI projects, VAMK actively advances solutions for the energy transition and supports their practical implementation.

The Energy Transition Creates New Opportunities for Sustainable and Efficient Energy Solutions

The diversification of energy systems, technological development, and the green transition are reshaping the electricity business landscape and creating new demands for industry professionals.

“At the same time, the energy transition opens up new opportunities for developing sustainable and efficient energy solutions. At VAMK, we have several research and development projects underway to support this transformation, together with a wide range of partners,” says RDI Director Marja-Riitta Vest.

Demand for green hydrogen and related technologies is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The European Union’s REPowerEU plan aims to expand green hydrogen projects and invest €470 billion in them by 2050. Several European countries have already adopted national hydrogen strategies.

Green hydrogen can accelerate industrial transformation by reducing emissions and promoting sustainable growth. It also creates opportunities for industrial and regional development, while requiring long-term and comprehensive investments.

“The success of industrial transformation requires environmental, economic, and technological perspectives to be considered simultaneously. We therefore study the topic through a multidisciplinary approach,” says Karna Dahal, Project Manager of the international H2Excellence hydrogen project.

Energy Storage and Grid Flexibility at the Forefront

As renewable energy sources and electricity storage technologies continue to develop, grid flexibility is becoming one of the most valuable resources in future energy systems.

“Flexibility plays a critical role in maintaining grid integrity, supporting sector coupling, and enabling new business opportunities. Demand-side flexibility alone could create a market worth up to €8 billion by 2030,” notes Kaisa Penttilä, Lecturer in Environmental Engineering, and continues:

“The decisions made in the coming years will determine whether the grid becomes a bottleneck or an enabler of sustainable growth. This is one of our key research areas.”

Sector coupling refers to integrating the electricity grid with other sectors, such as district heating, industry, and transportation. Demand response occurs when industries and consumers adjust their electricity consumption according to price and availability, helping to balance the grid and improve energy efficiency.

Offshore Wind Power for Hydrogen Production

VAMK participates in the international OptiDCG4H2 research project, which focuses on the optimal utilisation and distributed control of offshore wind power DC grids in combination with hydrogen production and energy storage systems. Alongside VAMK, the project involves the University of Vaasa and partners from Denmark, Norway, and Germany.

“The project offers VAMK researchers a unique opportunity to contribute to important global research. Offshore wind-based hydrogen production systems, combined with hybrid energy storage solutions, provide a pathway to accelerate decarbonization,” explains Adebayo Agbejule, Principal Lecturer in Engineering.

Agbejule notes that by integrating batteries to ensure security of supply and supercapacitors to provide real-time grid stability, intermittent offshore wind power can be transformed into a stable and cost-effective source of green hydrogen production.

“Electrolysis technologies and energy storage systems are essential for achieving the EU’s objective of becoming a climate-neutral continent by 2050,” Agbejule adds.

To meet future challenges and seize the opportunities created by the energy transition, energy professionals need both deep expertise and strong leadership skills.

VAMK is a Nordic frontrunner in energy education and competence development, combining a strong regional energy ecosystem, smart digital solutions, and a resilience-driven approach to innovation.

Together with the ambitions of the EU’s upcoming FP10 programme, these strengths help drive the green transition, support sustainable industry, and accelerate the development of smart energy solutions for the future.