Over 35 Years of Collaboration Advancing Energy Expertis
The History of Merinova and developing the EnergyVaasa cluster
From Industrial Needs to Collaborative Development
Merinova was founded in 1989 on the initiative of the City of Vaasa and the University of Vaasa. Its establishment was driven by structural changes in industry: as large companies focused on their core competencies, networks of subcontractors emerged around them, creating a need for support in developing their operations.
Regional industrial companies and other businesses became strongly involved as shareholders in Merinova. These close connections with businesses established a direction that continues to guide our work today: development activities must respond to companies’ real needs.
In the early years, we particularly helped subcontractors strengthen their expertise and improve their operating practices. At the same time, we built connections between businesses and higher education institutions.
OSKE Brought Energy Expertise Together
The national Centre of Expertise Programme, known as OSKE, which began in the 1990s, opened a new chapter in Merinova’s activities. Alongside supporting individual companies, strengthening the energy expertise of the entire region became an increasingly important priority.
The Enertekno, Ekoenergia and Innovation Management programmes coordinated by Merinova brought together development activities in technology, energy and innovation. These programmes provided businesses and higher education institutions with a shared platform for preparing projects and benefiting from each other’s expertise.
One concrete achievement of this collaboration was the preparation of Technobothnia. The shared laboratory environment of three higher education institutions brought together technical education, research and industrial needs. Its development strengthened the region’s capacity to educate skilled professionals and advance technology.
During the final programme period of OSKE, Merinova’s role expanded to coordinating the national energy cluster. Expertise in the Vaasa region became increasingly connected with research and business activities in other regions.
EnergyVaasa Was Established in 2001
Merinova launched EnergyVaasa in 2001. The idea was to bring energy technology companies together, strengthen dialogue between them and generate joint development ideas.
Early collaboration included preparing proposals for the OSKE programme and promoting energy technology demonstrations. Over the years, these activities expanded and laid the foundation for today’s EnergyVaasa cluster.
From the Very Beginning, Merinova's Role Has Been to Bring Stakeholders Together Around Shared Goals and Help Turn Ideas into Action.
INKA Brought Development into Real-World Pilots
The Innovative Cities programme, known as INKA, implemented from 2014 to 2017, continued the collaboration established through OSKE. Vaasa was responsible for the programme’s Sustainable Energy Solutions theme, while Merinova managed the practical implementation of Energy INKA.
The programme prepared projects that combined companies’ technologies and research expertise in real-world operating environments. These included Sundom Smart Grid, EnergyLab and the development of energy solutions for Wasa Station. After INKA, the work continued under the Smart and Sustainable Energy Solutions initiative within the AIKO programme.
Sundom Became a Test Environment for Smart Grids
The Sundom Smart Grid project brought together ABB, the Vaasan Sähkö Group, Anvia and the University of Vaasa to develop a smart electricity grid in Sundom, Vaasa. Merinova served as the project’s lead applicant and project manager.
The pilot combined the electricity grid, automation and real-time measurement data. It provided an opportunity to study electricity distribution reliability and the integration of wind and solar power into the grid in a real-world environment.
From EnergyLab to VEBIC
EnergyLab, developed during the INKA period and now known as VEBIC, strengthened the foundations for energy research in the Vaasa region. Merinova helped advance an initiative that brought together companies’ development needs and the research expertise of higher education institutions.
Today, VEBIC at the University of Vaasa brings together research in energy technology and energy business. Its laboratories enable research and testing of engines, future fuels and the interaction between electricity and energy systems.
Long-Term Cluster Development Earned Gold Label Recognition
In 2022, EnergyVaasa, coordinated by Merinova, became the first Finnish cluster to achieve the European Cluster Management Excellence Gold Label certification. The certification was renewed in 2025.
The recognition reflects high-quality cluster management, effective collaboration and a commitment to delivering value to businesses. It also represents decades of joint efforts involving regional companies, higher education institutions, cities and development organisations.
Today, We Continue This Work by Opening Doors for Businesses to Funding, Projects and International Networks.
Discover Merinova’s Story
How did a technology centre established to meet industrial needs grow into a driving force bringing together the energy technology cluster? Merinova’s 35th anniversary history tells the story of the people, collaboration and turning points along the way.