Hydrogen – a catalyst for renewable and circular industries
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Is hydrogen our saviour? Here is a realistic approach to the potential and challenges of a hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen will become a game changer in the global energy industry due to its capability to store renewable energy. The session introduces the potential of hydrogen by demonstrating existing innovative solutions and by interacting with the audience to spark brand new ideas on how hydrogen could be used in a circular economy.
Introduction
Sandhja Kuivalainen
Freelance musician and entertainer
"At the same time as Sandhja sings with her whole body, she is able to express herself in the most sensitive way." This is how Sandhja Kuivala, a singer-songwriter from Espoo, Finland, has been described. Her motto has always been "from person to person", and she has embodied this in her artistic career, whether she is performing on big stages like Eurovision or at a friend's wedding, a rooted sensitivity is always present. In 2012, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music Finland and has released two English-language albums. In 2016, she won the New Music Competition and represented Finland at the 50th Finnish Music Awards. She won the Finnish Song Contest for the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with the song "Sing It Away". She is currently planning her third album, which will be bilingual.
MSc (Tech) Pia Salokoski is responsible for leading the innovation work of CLIC’s energy theme. She also co-ordinates the work of Hydrogen Cluster Finland. She has over 20 years’ work experience from industry, research and financing sectors. Before CLIC she worked in the Finnish Innovation Funding Agency, Business Finland and led several national funding and innovation programmes in energy and environment themes. Her international work experience in the energy and circular economy fields is a unique combination of public sector R&D acceleration, co-operation and industry practice. She represented Finland in EU Horizon 2020 energy committee from 2014 to 2020. She has many years’ experience in innovation funding and management activities. Her background is from the energy industry.
Since 2021, Jenni Borg works at one of the most promising hydrogen and power-to-x startups in Europe. She has in-depth knowledge on hydrogen regulation and new market development. Jenni also serves as vice chair of the regulation working group of the H2 Cluster Finland. She holds an LLM degree from the University of Helsinki.
Pasi Jääskeläinen is a professional musician who has performed for a living for over 20 years. He has been on stage with many well-known Finnish artists including Michael Monroe, Saara Aalto, Cheek and Kaija Koo. Currently, he is also part of the houseband on the Putous tv-show. He has graduated from Metropolia AMK’s Pop/Jazz programme.
Head of ABB Green Electrification ecosystem
ABB Oy
Simo Säynevirta is heading ABB's Green Electrification 2035 ecosystem programme to decarbonise industries and society with the help of green electrification. He also serves as the chairman of Hydrogen Cluster Finland, a network of over 70 companies and industry associations joining forces to build the leading hydrogen economy in Europe.
What is hydrogen and how can it be used in circular industries?
Szilvia Haide
Project Manager
Flexens Oy Ab
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and received my BSc in chemical engineering before moving abroad for my MSc in sustainable energy engineering. I have worked for the Finnish project developer Flexens since 2020 and am currently based in Helsinki. My latest focus has been on creating Flexens' green ammonia plant in Kokkola, Finland, and finding new Power-to-X project opportunities in port areas. My passion for nature and outdoor activities is my main driver for working in the renewable energy field.
Pitches on game changing circular hydrogen solutions by forerunner startups
Heike Carl Zatterstrom
CCO
Boson Energy
Heike is an industrial cleantech entrepreneur and advocate for a sustainable and resource efficient circular economy. He is making a case for the role that waste can play in green molecules, speed charging, urban food production and circular construction materials. Heike drives the development of smart circular cities through local sector coupling, autonomy, resilience, decarbonisation, energy security, energy inventory and distributed solutions. His company Boson Energy is the IMBY Company – for In My Back Yard. Did you know that 1 ton of otherwise non-recyclable waste can be 1,400 km of travel on a zero emission bus, 1 m3 of cell glass construction material, and heat and CO2 for urban farming – anywhere on the planet? Heike is an entrepreneur with wide international communicator and analyst experience from trust-based industries such as energy, security, research services, telecom and trade promotion services.
Laura Rahikka holds an MSc (Tech) in process engineering and has 20+ years’ experience in process and chemical engineering. Hycamite decarbonises industry by producing clean hydrogen and industrial-quality solid carbon by splitting methane using proprietary zero-emission technology.
Marko is leading a company developing high-efficiency alkaline electrolysers that use ceramic materials as catalyst. Stargate electrolysers are precious-metal free and therefore inherently more scalable than other technologies. The company recently received IPCEI (Important Projects for Common European Interest) status, which grants state aid for technology and production scale-up and contributed to Stargate’s €54 million in financing. Stargate is currently undertaking projects in the Baltics and Poland and looking for strong partners for international expansion. The company is part of Utilitas Group, the largest renewable energy developer in the Baltic Sea region.
Pasi Vainikka is the co-founder of Solar Foods, a revolutionary Finnish startup that produces protein using only renewable electricity, water and air. He is also part of Mission Innovation, a global initiative of 23 countries and the European Commission catalysing a decade of action and investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all. Vainikka is adjunct professor at LUT University’s School of Energy Systems. Previously, he worked at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland as principal scientist, among others.
When two worlds meet: Fast-speed fireside chat between hydrogen and circularity experts
Herkko Plit
CEO
P2X Solutions Oy
Herkko Plit is the founder and CEO of a forerunner in the Finnish hydrogen and e-fuel industry. He leads P2X with his visionary attitude and actively participates in the creation of the Finnish and European hydrogen ecosystems in several forums. Plit is the vice-chair of the Finnish H2 Cluster and chair of the World Energy Council (WEC) Finland. Before establishing P2X Solutions, he has been in leading positions in companies like Baltic Connector, Fortum and TVO. Plit has also worked in the European Commission and as the deputy director general at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland’s energy department.
Cathrine Barth works with system design and business development for circular value creation. She is one of the managing partners and co-founders of Nordic Circular Hotspot. In 2022, Barth was listed as one of the top 50 global women in sustainability by SustainabilityX Magazine. Her background from political science, journalism, business development and corporate communications is the backbone of her systemic approach and solution-oriented mindset for transitioning to a circular economic system. She has recently achieved a diploma from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education’s circular economy and sustainability strategies programme, and she holds an Executive Master of Management in green growth (sustainable economics), PR and communication management, innovation and business development from Oslo Business School.
"At the same time as Sandhja sings with her whole body, she is able to express herself in the most sensitive way." This is how Sandhja Kuivala, a singer-songwriter from Espoo, Finland, has been described. Her motto has always been "from person to person", and she has embodied this in her artistic career, whether she is performing on big stages like Eurovision or at a friend's wedding, a rooted sensitivity is always present. In 2012, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music Finland and has released two English-language albums. In 2016, she won the New Music Competition and represented Finland at the 50th Finnish Music Awards. She won the Finnish Song Contest for the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with the song "Sing It Away". She is currently planning her third album, which will be bilingual.
Pasi Jääskeläinen is a professional musician who has performed for a living for over 20 years. He has been on stage with many well-known Finnish artists including Michael Monroe, Saara Aalto, Cheek and Kaija Koo. Currently, he is also part of the houseband on the Putous tv-show. He has graduated from Metropolia AMK’s Pop/Jazz programme.
Senior Scientist
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Cyril Bajamundi has worked on various Power-to-X Projects at VTT. He is an expert in CO2 capture from air and previously served as CTO in Soletair Power. He also specialised in ash chemistry and industrial scale dioxin/furan abatement. He has a PhD from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland.
Research Scientist
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Kirsikka Kiviranta specialises in the evaluation and analysis of various low-carbon energy solutions and circular economy concepts, especially those related to hydrogen and power-to-X technologies. Her current research focuses on the role of hydrogen in accelerating the green transition. She holds an MSc (Tech.) in environmental engineering from the University of Oulu.
MSc (Tech) Pia Salokoski is responsible for leading the innovation work of CLIC’s energy theme. She also co-ordinates the work of Hydrogen Cluster Finland. She has over 20 years’ work experience from industry, research and financing sectors. Before CLIC she worked in the Finnish Innovation Funding Agency, Business Finland and led several national funding and innovation programmes in energy and environment themes. Her international work experience in the energy and circular economy fields is a unique combination of public sector R&D acceleration, co-operation and industry practice. She represented Finland in EU Horizon 2020 energy committee from 2014 to 2020. She has many years’ experience in innovation funding and management activities. Her background is from the energy industry.
Since 2021, Jenni Borg works at one of the most promising hydrogen and power-to-x startups in Europe. She has in-depth knowledge on hydrogen regulation and new market development. Jenni also serves as vice chair of the regulation working group of the H2 Cluster Finland. She holds an LLM degree from the University of Helsinki.
Research Scientist
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Kirsikka Kiviranta specialises in the evaluation and analysis of various low-carbon energy solutions and circular economy concepts, especially those related to hydrogen and power-to-X technologies. Her current research focuses on the role of hydrogen in accelerating the green transition. She holds an MSc (Tech.) in environmental engineering from the University of Oulu.
Since 2021, Jenni Borg works at one of the most promising hydrogen and power-to-x startups in Europe. She has in-depth knowledge on hydrogen regulation and new market development. Jenni also serves as vice chair of the regulation working group of the H2 Cluster Finland. She holds an LLM degree from the University of Helsinki.
Pasi Vainikka is the co-founder of Solar Foods, a revolutionary Finnish startup that produces protein using only renewable electricity, water and air. He is also part of Mission Innovation, a global initiative of 23 countries and the European Commission catalysing a decade of action and investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all. Vainikka is adjunct professor at LUT University’s School of Energy Systems. Previously, he worked at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland as principal scientist, among others.
Pasi Jääskeläinen is a professional musician who has performed for a living for over 20 years. He has been on stage with many well-known Finnish artists including Michael Monroe, Saara Aalto, Cheek and Kaija Koo. Currently, he is also part of the houseband on the Putous tv-show. He has graduated from Metropolia AMK’s Pop/Jazz programme.
"At the same time as Sandhja sings with her whole body, she is able to express herself in the most sensitive way." This is how Sandhja Kuivala, a singer-songwriter from Espoo, Finland, has been described. Her motto has always been "from person to person", and she has embodied this in her artistic career, whether she is performing on big stages like Eurovision or at a friend's wedding, a rooted sensitivity is always present. In 2012, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music Finland and has released two English-language albums. In 2016, she won the New Music Competition and represented Finland at the 50th Finnish Music Awards. She won the Finnish Song Contest for the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with the song "Sing It Away". She is currently planning her third album, which will be bilingual.
Cathrine Barth works with system design and business development for circular value creation. She is one of the managing partners and co-founders of Nordic Circular Hotspot. In 2022, Barth was listed as one of the top 50 global women in sustainability by SustainabilityX Magazine. Her background from political science, journalism, business development and corporate communications is the backbone of her systemic approach and solution-oriented mindset for transitioning to a circular economic system. She has recently achieved a diploma from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education’s circular economy and sustainability strategies programme, and she holds an Executive Master of Management in green growth (sustainable economics), PR and communication management, innovation and business development from Oslo Business School.
Marko is leading a company developing high-efficiency alkaline electrolysers that use ceramic materials as catalyst. Stargate electrolysers are precious-metal free and therefore inherently more scalable than other technologies. The company recently received IPCEI (Important Projects for Common European Interest) status, which grants state aid for technology and production scale-up and contributed to Stargate’s €54 million in financing. Stargate is currently undertaking projects in the Baltics and Poland and looking for strong partners for international expansion. The company is part of Utilitas Group, the largest renewable energy developer in the Baltic Sea region.
MSc (Tech) Pia Salokoski is responsible for leading the innovation work of CLIC’s energy theme. She also co-ordinates the work of Hydrogen Cluster Finland. She has over 20 years’ work experience from industry, research and financing sectors. Before CLIC she worked in the Finnish Innovation Funding Agency, Business Finland and led several national funding and innovation programmes in energy and environment themes. Her international work experience in the energy and circular economy fields is a unique combination of public sector R&D acceleration, co-operation and industry practice. She represented Finland in EU Horizon 2020 energy committee from 2014 to 2020. She has many years’ experience in innovation funding and management activities. Her background is from the energy industry.
Senior Scientist
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Cyril Bajamundi has worked on various Power-to-X Projects at VTT. He is an expert in CO2 capture from air and previously served as CTO in Soletair Power. He also specialised in ash chemistry and industrial scale dioxin/furan abatement. He has a PhD from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland.
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and received my BSc in chemical engineering before moving abroad for my MSc in sustainable energy engineering. I have worked for the Finnish project developer Flexens since 2020 and am currently based in Helsinki. My latest focus has been on creating Flexens' green ammonia plant in Kokkola, Finland, and finding new Power-to-X project opportunities in port areas. My passion for nature and outdoor activities is my main driver for working in the renewable energy field.
Herkko Plit is the founder and CEO of a forerunner in the Finnish hydrogen and e-fuel industry. He leads P2X with his visionary attitude and actively participates in the creation of the Finnish and European hydrogen ecosystems in several forums. Plit is the vice-chair of the Finnish H2 Cluster and chair of the World Energy Council (WEC) Finland. Before establishing P2X Solutions, he has been in leading positions in companies like Baltic Connector, Fortum and TVO. Plit has also worked in the European Commission and as the deputy director general at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland’s energy department.
Laura Rahikka holds an MSc (Tech) in process engineering and has 20+ years’ experience in process and chemical engineering. Hycamite decarbonises industry by producing clean hydrogen and industrial-quality solid carbon by splitting methane using proprietary zero-emission technology.
Head of ABB Green Electrification ecosystem
ABB Oy
Simo Säynevirta is heading ABB's Green Electrification 2035 ecosystem programme to decarbonise industries and society with the help of green electrification. He also serves as the chairman of Hydrogen Cluster Finland, a network of over 70 companies and industry associations joining forces to build the leading hydrogen economy in Europe.
Heike is an industrial cleantech entrepreneur and advocate for a sustainable and resource efficient circular economy. He is making a case for the role that waste can play in green molecules, speed charging, urban food production and circular construction materials. Heike drives the development of smart circular cities through local sector coupling, autonomy, resilience, decarbonisation, energy security, energy inventory and distributed solutions. His company Boson Energy is the IMBY Company – for In My Back Yard. Did you know that 1 ton of otherwise non-recyclable waste can be 1,400 km of travel on a zero emission bus, 1 m3 of cell glass construction material, and heat and CO2 for urban farming – anywhere on the planet? Heike is an entrepreneur with wide international communicator and analyst experience from trust-based industries such as energy, security, research services, telecom and trade promotion services.
