Over the next two years, an innovative power system will be erected in PAKRI Science and Industrial Park, which will enable researchers, companies and power end-users to research, develop and test innovative power network equipment and services.
The Smart City Center of Excellence of Tallinn University of Technology is implementing a pilot project “Reducing energy needs through microgrids and energy storages”, where Lääne-Harju municipality is involved as a partner. The aim of the pilot project is to demonstrate how the use of energy storage and optimization of power consumption allows to reduce the required power grid connection capacity. The project is also aimed at facilitation of the start-up of renewable energy solutions, contributing thereby to the reduction of carbon-intensive power generation. Lääne-Harju municipality chose PAKRI Science and Industrial Park in Paldiski to pilot the solution.
Parties involved in the pilot project (from left): Jaanus Saat, Head of Lääne-Harju municipality, Tarmo Korõtko, TalTech researcher and Enn Laansoo Jr., CEO of PAKRI Science and Industrial Park.
“I am sincerely pleased that in cooperation with top researchers, we at PAKRI can build and test future-oriented power systems,” said Enn Laansoo Jr., CEO of PAKRI Science and Industrial Park. He adds: “The whole world needs more efficient and cost-effective solutions to meet growing energy needs. I am confident that the research carried out by Estonia in the field of energy management will attract international attention and we will achieve results that will contribute to a wider spread of innovative solutions.”
According to Laansoo, PAKRI has been dealing with the issues of smart grid and renewable energy since 2007. “PAKRI has focused on the challenges of green technology, the development of innovative solutions and the provision of a green ecosystem for production companies in Paldiski. It is good to see how this area is increasingly valued in the world around us. The more research funding can be mobilized in this sector, the faster is the move towards a green and smart energy economy.”
“Testing in a real environment and collecting empirical data is an important part of research and development. Lääne-Harju municipality and PAKRI Science and Industrial Park are ideal for the project pilot solution, as the closed distribution grid built there offers unique opportunities for research and development and testing of innovative solutions,” added Dr. Tarmo Korõtko, a TalTech researcher leading the project.
“Being the head of municipality, I can only rejoice that our green municipality is attracting large research and investment projects. Today the sustainability of PAKRI has created a unique environment in Paldiski, where there is a fertile ground for the creation of new technologies and jobs related thereto,” described the cooperation between the three parties Jaanus Saat, the head of Lääne-Harju municipality.
The budget of the entire project is 1.2 million euros, and in the framework thereof opportunities will be created for local governments to set up with little effort power micro-grids and closed power distribution networks. The solution aims to solve power supply problems and increase the use of carbon-neutral energy.
The goal of the Smart City Center of Excellence of Tallinn University of Technology is to improve urban environments by testing new technologies and thereby grow into an internationally recognized research and development center. The founders of the Center of Excellence are Tallinn University of Technology, Aalto University and Forum Virium, the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Research. The aim of the international competition of the Smart City Center of Excellence was to find smart future solutions to the real problems of cities. The international competition received 71 ideas, the best four of which received funding in the first round and the ideas will be implemented in real urban environmentы.
PAKRI Science and Industry Park has 70 hectares of uniquely smart industrial city under constant construction. Today, more than 37 production companies operate on more than 20,000 square meters of production space and in the development and testing area, and in cooperation with the research and business city Tehnopol, support services are offered to more than 35 customers of green technology business services. Renewable energy is produced in the park from the sun as well as from a small windmill.
Since 2017 PAKRI holds the silver level quality label of a responsible company, being the first responsible industrial park in Estonia. More details at www.pakri.ee
More information about the Smart City design competition: taltech.ee/tarklinn