The first ever Nordic Energy Storage (NES) event was held on March 25 in Vaasa. The growing Nordic energy cluster has many actors working together on innovative projects, such as the development of Finnish batteries ecosystems and high-tech products.
As these actors gathered in the Nordic Energy Capital, the electrification of Europe, sustainable battery value chains, and the need for know-how were high on the agenda. Over 50 exhibitors had booked a stand in the exhibition area, showcasing their companies and products as well as meeting other energy experts during this international networking event.
New efficient technologies
The NES seminar was held in three sessions: European Electrified Future, Energy Storage Technologies, and Meeting the Demand of Competence in the Nordic Countries.
Axel Thorsdal, SVP Project Development at FREYR Battery, was one of the second session speakers. In August 2021, FREYR Battery became one of the first companies to make a plot reservation in the developing GigaVaasa industrial area, planning to build a next-generation battery cell plant there.
In his presentation, Thorsdal emphasized the meaning of new technologies and multi-actor cooperations to support the green transition:
We believe that we are able to reduce the CO2 footprint for production here in the Nordics by using new technologies, which provide much more efficient ways to produce batteries than the existing technologies.
Thorsdal also stressed the need for speed in developing new green technologies:
This is a journey that we are beginning. It is not easy and we all must work together. The CO2 price is rising, which could raise also new impacts making the economy even more interesting. This is why we also have to be fast.
Cooperation for GigaVaasa
NES was organised by University of Vaasa in partnership with ABB, Finnish Minerals Group, Merinova, Novia University of Applied Sciences, VAMK University of Applied Sciences, VASEK, Viexpo and Wärtsilä.
Many of the actors are actively working for the GigaVaasa industrial area that is dedicated to battery value chain manufacturing and offers accessible green energy system options.
