KEYWORDS: Future Energy solutions 2025, district heating, waste heat, demand response, energy communities, education
The ERKKI project participated in the Future Energy Solutions (FES) event in Lappeenranta on 9-10 October 2025. FES is an annual energy-themed conference held in Lappeenranta, where this year’s themes were in particular the effects of the green transition on district heating production, the electrification of transport and the hydrogen economy. Green Net Finland and Forum Virium Helsinki participated in the seminar part of the event, were involved in organizing a workshop related to piloting new solutions and were able to get to know the new solutions of the Lappeenranta area’s energy network and LUT’s Power to X laboratory during site visits. The observations made during the event will be utilized in the planning of future reference group meetings. The ERKKI working group found many useful topics to emerge from the presentations and panel discussions at the event, which we will discuss below.
Utilization of waste heat, energy storage and the possibility of self-sufficiency
The need for energy self-sufficiency has increased in recent years. The energy crisis in 2022 showed the need to rethink energy production. Reducing the use of externally purchased energy is a way to reduce energy dependence. For example, storing internal heat in buildings and utilizing waste heat is more relevant than before. Storing heat within 24 hours and longer periods of time has been taken up as a research topic and a topic of discussion. New opportunities for district heating networks in energy storage have been actively raised, and for example, the hot water storage systems in buildings in use in Copenhagen are an interesting possibility in the district heating theme.
Demand response in district heating systems
Demand response in district heating is also on the agenda, although the conference discussion also highlighted challenges and obstacles that need to be resolved before new operating models can be defined and scaled up more widely. For example, new pricing models are part of the future, but the system requires new control mechanisms to function. Regarding demand response in district heating, settings and changes to the existing system or parallel connection of new systems may be necessary. In district heating networks, the system is being converted to a low-temperature network in some cities (such as Copenhagen), but the conversion work will take years.
PHOTO: ERKKI project managers Ilkka Aaltio and Ville Santala reported on the project's pilots at the FES event on October 9, 2025
Updating technology creates challenges and opportunities
The discussions raised challenges related to the optimization of large and multi-purpose buildings, the solution of which requires close cooperation between property owners, administrators and solution providers. Practical challenges may arise from the fact that it is not always possible to extensively update equipment and as a result, not all equipment in the property may be fully compatible with each other. However, energy use optimization can be implemented in different ways. The implementation and continued maintenance of new technologies and complex automation systems require continuous development of expertise and responsibilities must be clearer. For example, currently, users’ experiences and information about change needs do not necessarily reach system optimizers. Expertise and a genuine desire to promote energy efficiency are needed to properly utilize optimization solutions and the features offered by operating systems.
PHOTO: Minister of the Environment Sari Multala also attended the FES event
Information – opportunities and challenges
Current and future energy solutions do not arise in a vacuum, but are built on high-quality information. When the initial data of a property is comprehensive and easily accessible, the door opens to completely new opportunities: we can utilize advanced tools that simulate and analyze the effects of various energy efficiency measures accurately in advance. This enables not only better optimization but also more cost-effective and effective energy projects. Without sufficient and reliable data, even the best tools remain ineffective, which further emphasizes the need for up-to-date and accurate information about properties.
Energy communities – an expanding resource
The importance of energy communities is likely to grow in the coming years. The idea of an energy community may still seem distant, but the possibilities for regional energy systems, flexibility and storage outside a single property offer new business opportunities.
New Solutions and Business Models – Towards the Future
The green transition, the electrification of heat production and the aforementioned district heating demand flexibility, energy storage, energy communities and data create opportunities for the development of new business in the field of energy efficiency. In the field of cities, it is important that new solutions are developed and implemented to reduce traffic emissions and improve the energy efficiency of properties. Developing new solutions requires cooperation between actors and sharing best practices, as well as the courage to experiment and implement solutions based on new technologies and operating models. The ERKKI project aims to support cooperation between companies and cities and promote the implementation of new solutions.
ERKKI – Optimizing energy efficiency in challenging public cultural and leisure buildings project is to improve the energy efficiency of challenging public buildings by jointly developing new innovative, technological and digital solutions and thereby increase the business opportunities of companies developing solutions. The project is implemented by Green Net Finland and Forum Virium Helsinki.
