Page 8 - European Energy Innovation - summer 2020 publication

8 Summer 2020 European Energy Innovation
COMMUNICATION

Turku being turned into a
Climate Positive City

In Turku Student Village, there is a housing complex the size of a city block that produces
emission-free energy even for the needs of neighbouring buildings. In a European Union Horizon
2020 Lighthouse project, the cleantech area will be expanded into an entire city district. A
climate positive water system is also being developed in Turku.
Aflower-shaped building the
size of a city block, called a wide gathering area of ground heat. quadruple glazing and heat recovery
Aitiopaikka, was completed It produces half of the heating power from air conditioning. Through the
in Turku Student Village last needed for the large neighbouring power grid of the area, energy will
building Ikituuri.” be transmitted from one place to

year. The building has 255 apartments another when needed”, Rantala lists

and over 300 inhabitants. Coming next – a climate positive concrete examples.

city district

Five hundred solar panels have been Another European Union Horizon Piling of Tyyssija is already underway.

installed on the roof of Aitiopaikka. 2020 Lighthouse project called Extensive negotiation work and

At times, they produce even more Response is also now implemented planning work is also currently

energy than needed in the building. in Turku Student Village. In this undergoing.

project, the area of climate-friendly

“In this case, the excess electricity is technology is significantly expanded. Experts in the field across Europe

transmitted to neighbouring buildings Development Manager at the City

through the power grid of the area”, The idea is to build an entire climate of Turku Björn Grönholm says

says Real Estate Engineer Joonas positive city district. that several businesses, expert

Rantala from the Student Village organisations, research institutes

Foundation of Turku. “For instance, heat pumps and universities from both Finland

connected in series with high and across Europe take part in the

District heat is used for the heating efficiency and efficient heat project. Currently, there are as many

of Aitiopaikka. In the Turku region, exchangers will be used in the area. as 57 partners.

already 80 per cent of district heat is A solar plant will be placed on the

produced using renewable fuel and roof of a new building called Tyyssija. “For instance, there are top experts

modes of production. The percentage In addition, older buildings will be in solar energy, heat pumps, battery

is constantly increasing. renovated to make them more technology, automation and 5 G

energy efficient; examples of helpful connections. One of our important

“Underneath Aitiopaikka, there is also measures include windows with sparring partners is the city of Dijon

in France where a slightly similar

Lighthouse project is currently

ongoing.”

Grönholm states that the idea is
to find new innovative solutions
that could also be easily utilised
elsewhere.

Joonas Rantala Björn Grönholm The water system was harnessed
for energy production
A climate positive city is being built in
Turku Student Village one house and
one city district at a time. There is
also much happening elsewhere, as
the entire city is an experimentation
platform for cleantech.

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