EnergySampo – Working Together Towards Carbon-Neutral Energy Solutions
Developing carbon-neutral energy solutions through collaboration
EnergySampo is an innovation ecosystem in which internationally operating energy technology companies and the University of Vaasa work together to develop carbon-neutral energy solutions.
The collaboration focuses on challenges related to energy generation, storage, transmission and the optimisation of energy production – challenges that require expertise from multiple stakeholders. Joint research and development projects help accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Together with
EnergySampo’s story began in 2020. At that time, leading companies in the Vaasa region – ABB, Danfoss, Hitachi Energy, Wärtsilä, Vaasan Sähkö, VEO and VNT Management – recognised that the energy transition affects the entire energy system. Its challenges cannot be solved by individual companies alone but require collaboration across organisational boundaries.
Merinova as the Collaboration Coordinator
From the outset, it was clear that the collaboration needed an impartial coordinator. Merinova was a natural choice for this role, as its shareholders include regional companies, research institutions and municipalities.
Discussions held in early 2020 led to the launch of the collaboration in September, under the leadership of Anna-Kaisa Valkama.
The first phase of EnergySampo, from September 2020 to October 2022, focused on developing shared objectives, key messages and operating models. During this period, pilot ideas were advanced and several project funding applications were submitted, covering themes such as carbon capture and green hydrogen.
Establishing Long-Term Collaboration
By spring 2022, the partner companies were convinced of the value of working together. EnergySampo’s second phase, The Sequel, began immediately after the first phase, in November 2022. Its aim was to establish a sustainable collaboration model and develop good practices for generating and advancing pilot initiatives.
Communication and stakeholder engagement were also prioritised. EnergySampo events at Vaasa’s EnergyWeek and Wasa Future Festival brought together national and international stakeholders to discuss topics including capacity markets and the hydrogen economy.
In autumn 2023, the first EnergySampo Forum was organised. The event gave rise to the idea of establishing a shared hydrogen valley covering Ostrobothnia and neighbouring regions.
EnergySampo thus helped accelerate broader national and international collaboration and played a key role in BotH2nia’s application for Horizon Europe hydrogen valley funding.
The application brought together four regions: Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia and Satakunta. It was supported by nearly one hundred local, national and international stakeholders. Although the funding application was unsuccessful, close collaboration across regional boundaries continued.
Towards Closer Collaboration with the University of Vaasa
The collaboration continued through the EnergySampo Scale-Up project.
Impartial coordination was central to its success. Collaboration between competing companies does not happen automatically – it requires careful preparation, regular meetings and systematic documentation.
The collaboration model has been documented as part of Sari Kola’s doctoral research, The Power of We (University of Turku, 2025), supporting its application in other regions and industries.
During this project phase, particular emphasis was placed on collaboration with the University of Vaasa.
Initiatives originating from EnergySampo received four positive funding or support decisions:
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HELO and HEROES: Business Finland
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Regional Innovation Valley: EU Horizon programme
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H2Nexus: Research Council of Finland; implemented by the University of Vaasa and VTT
In addition, the activities of the BotH2nia Hydrogen Valley became firmly established. BotH2nia was awarded Hydrogen Valley status by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership in April 2025 and received Project Development Assistance (PDA) support for hydrogen valley funding in July 2026.
The BotH2nia collaboration expanded from four to eight regions as Sea Lapland, South Ostrobothnia, Southwest Finland and Pirkanmaa joined the hydrogen valley.
BotH2nia has helped put Western Finland on the European hydrogen map.
Companies and the University Working Together
The EnergySampo Future Energy Systems project was launched in September 2026. The new project focuses on five strategic areas:
- Novel Power Infra: The proposed shared testing environment aims to strengthen research activities at higher education institutions and create conditions for companies to locate product development responsibilities in Finland. If realised, the facility would also give regional SMEs access to testing capabilities they do not have themselves.
- Simulation and system-level modelling: Energy system modelling helps target development investments more effectively. It is closely linked to the testing environment but can progress faster and with smaller investments than physical testing infrastructure.
- Hydrogen: The BotH2nia Hydrogen Valley enables the development of the hydrogen economy through collaboration across regional boundaries.
- GigaVaasa and sector coupling: These two strategic areas promote collaboration between the energy sector and other industries.
The ecosystem’s shared objectives are to increase energy technology exports and productivity, attract corporate product development investments to Finland, and strengthen the security of supply of the energy system.
Achieving these objectives requires combining the expertise of companies and research organisations through sustained, long-term collaboration.
This is the essence of EnergySampo.
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