ULLEVI – New business from thermal energy storage

We create a research, development, innovation and teaching environment for thermal energy storage

Duration of the project

1.1.2023. – 31.12.2025

Source of funding

ERDF

Total funding

557 000 €

The project will create a research, development, innovation and teaching environment for thermal energy storage at Educity at Turku University of Applied Sciences. In the TKIO environment, companies and research organisations can develop expertise and solutions in the field and share knowledge with students, among others.

The project will provide research information on the development of different materials and products and on the impact of geological conditions on the storage of thermal energy in the soil. The RDI activities will increase the energy and cost efficiency of business solutions, creating new business opportunities. The results will also help to improve the scope for application and integration of companies’ products into total energy solutions in sector integration. The research platform will bring together actors in the sector in the Southwest Finland region and will link us more strongly with other actors in emerging markets in Finland and abroad.

During the project, a first metering system will be set up, where thermal energy will be collected from energy wells, processed by a heat pump and stored in tanks containing different types of soil. The measurements will be simulated to analyse the storage on a larger scale. The temperature and humidity of the soil in the tanks will be monitored over a period of years to analyse which soil-collector combination is most efficient for storage.

The project is carried out in cooperation with Business Turku and Åbo Akademi.