Wind power requires expertise throughout its entire lifecycle, from project planning and construction to electrical systems, operation and maintenance. Offshore wind power brings additional requirements for foundations, logistics and maintenance in challenging weather and ice conditions.

Solar energy solutions rely not only on solar panels but also on inverters, electrical systems, automation and production monitoring. Solutions are needed for both on-site energy generation in buildings and larger power plants. Integrating production with demand management and energy storage helps ensure efficient and effective energy use.

Bioenergy uses materials such as biowaste and biomass to produce heat, electricity and fuels. Biogas production, for example, combines waste management, energy production and nutrient recycling. Sustainable utilisation requires attention to the origin of raw materials, resource efficiency and the environmental impacts of the entire production chain.

The OFFwind project, implemented between 2022 and 2025, developed knowledge and methods for offshore wind power construction in northern conditions. The project examined factors such as loads caused by ice, wind and waves, seabed conditions and access to offshore wind farms. Merinova was one of the project partners.

International collaboration brought together research and practical development needs, generating knowledge for businesses and planning authorities. Understanding northern conditions helps develop solutions whose performance and maintainability can be considered from the earliest planning stages.

Merinova’s solar energy projects have explored the technical and economic conditions for adopting renewable energy solutions. The Aurinkodemo project, implemented in 2016, examined the feasibility of megawatt-scale solar power plants.

Another project carried out in the same year focused on technology parks and investigated the potential for using solar electricity, solar thermal energy and geothermal energy in industrial and office properties in Vaasa. These studies demonstrate how development work can provide valuable information to support investment decisions and energy system planning.

Renewable energy delivers greater benefits when production, consumption and storage are planned together. For example, electricity generated during windy periods can be used to produce heat, which can then be stored for later use. Demand management in businesses and buildings can also help align electricity consumption with fluctuations in renewable energy generation.

The Nordic Energy Capital project explores this integrated approach through the interaction between electricity and heat systems. A digital twin of the Vaskiluoto energy system helps evaluate how different solutions work together. A system-level understanding also supports the effective use of renewable energy.