Research and development at Eesti Energia
Research and development activities of Eesti Energia
Eesti Energia's research and development (R&D) activities are primarily aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the company's production operations and developing useful and smart solutions for customers.
In its research and development activities, Eesti Energia values co-operation with both Estonian as well as foreign universities and research institutions. Our main partner is the Tallinn University of Technology; important development activities are also conducted in co-operation with the University of Tartu and TalTech Virumaa College.
Strategic focus areas of R&D at Eesti Energia
Development of useful, convenient, and innovative energy solutions for customers
Making electricity and oil production sustainable through the circular economy and the chemical industry
Accelerating the development of green technologies and integrating them into the energy system of the future
Building the electrical grid of the future
Development of useful, convenient, and innovative energy solutions for customers
In early 2022, we launched a research project in co-operation with data scientists at the University of Tartu, which will see the development of a dynamic and secure software solution for the profiling of customers' energy behaviour (both consumption and generation). The outcome of the research will enable us to provide services to customers through a higher value offer.
Journey towards sustainable electricity and oil production
Making electricity and oil production sustainable through opportunities created by circular economy principles and the chemical industry and through reducing the environmental footprint. We have developed a step-by-step plan for converting Enefit Power's liquid fuel-producing oil industry into a carbon-neutral chemical industry whose operations are based on circular economy principles by 2040 at the latest. As raw materials for the chemical industry, we will use oil shale, residues from other industries (plastic waste, scrap tyres) and by-products from our production processes (e.g., semi-coke gas and CO2).
Accelerating the development of green technologies and integrating them into the energy system of the future
Eesti Energia has an ambitious renewable energy growth plan, for which we have launched several development projects in Finland, the Baltics, and Poland.
In the development of wind farms, we are guided by national strategic plans and the requirements and principles established by the plans.
Building the grid of the future.
In the construction of a more efficient and reliable grid, the Tallinn University of Technology is an important partner, with whom contributions are made to the development of both software and hardware.
Key areas of development in 2022 include:
Eesti Energia belongs to the reputable and innovative Employers 2% club, whose members make an annual contribution of either 2% of their sales revenue or at least one million euros as expenditure to research and development activities.
€ 11.4 million
is Eesti Energia's contribution to research and development in 2021.
Partners
Related topics
About Eesti Energia
We create innovative and environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Technology
With smart technology, we are moving to more efficient and nature-saving electricity generation.
Come to work
Do you want to work for the most preferred employer in Estonia with good development and career opportunities?
Journey towards sustainable electricity and oil production
In the development of the chemical industry, Eesti Energia's strength is the implementation of the principles of circular economy and the recycling of low-quality plastic waste. The existing technological capabilities make us an attractive partner for global companies in the chemical industry.
Tallinn University of Technology has been the most important oil shale research provider in the world for decades. Eesti Energia, in cooperation with Tallinn University of Technology, has focused on the CO2 of oil shale production to bring footprint emissions to zero through various combustion technology tests.
In cooperation with TalTech Virumaa College, we conducted experimental studies on the co-pyrolysis of various plastics. The results of the study have provided a clear positive input that we can move forward with research and development on a larger scale. The technological potential to be recycled into a new product in an environmentally friendly way in the near future is up to 260,000 tons of waste tyres and 160,000 tons of waste pots per year. As a result of the project, it will be possible to recycle and direct the entire waste mass generated in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as raw materials for the chemical industry.
In cooperation with Estonian scientists, we have identified two technologies with the greatest potential that are theoretically suitable for co emitted from Enefit 280 equipment capture. A more detailed investigation of both technologies is underway, where technology providers will be consulted and testing of the test equipment will be carried out.
Accelerating the development of green technologies and integrating them into the energy system of the future
By developing new solar and wind farms, we assess the potential impact of each project on the environment and people. We are also analysing the potential wider impact on communities. An integral part of planning is a thorough environmental impact assessment, with which we identify important environmental impacts and ways to mitigate them.
In 2022, studies related to the environmental impact assessment of the offshore wind farm planned for the Gulf of Riga will begin.
Eesti Energia actively contributes to the development of hydrogen technologies by involving scientists from both Estonian and international research institutions in the team. In cooperation with research institutions, the possibilities for hydrogen production will be mapped in Eesti Energia's home markets.