Commercializing of clean technologies is in stage of moving into global mainstream business. The driving forces are climate change, energy security and increasing energy prices. In the energy sector, these factors, are pushing clean technology markets of biomass, biofuels, solar, wind and fuel cells in the extent that cleantech is seen to be a next engine for economic growth.
Energy & Enviro Finland, 27 February 2008, describes some examples of Finnish research efforts and success stories on clean energy and environmental technology development. Many of the projects are creating know-how and technologies which can be utilized in combating climate change - globally.
Some Finnish organizations have already stepped in the most sustainable energy way. For instance, Finnish Housing Fair pioneers in ecological living a low-energy system, which is utilizing the warmth from the seabed to heat up the houses.
The heat pumps are powered by fuel cells and microturbines utilizing combustible methane gas, which is collected from the old rubbish dump. During the summer, this low-energy system can be used to cool the houses. The fair area will be almost self-sufficient in clean energy.
Finnish forest industry is also renewing in many ways. The projects include biorefineries, biofuels and combining nanotechnology and smart features with fibres for packaging. These projects open many interesting opportunities for the forest industries.
Currently, Finland is also working out a long term strategy for climate change prevention that concentrates on promoting renewable fuels, energy efficiency and energy conservation. The strategy should be completed in 2008-2009, and should include a maximum use of existing and new clean energy technologies.
An article in the Energy & Enviro Finland tells how Russia aims at using associated gas - a side-stream of oil and natural gas production - to produce energy and hydrogen. The produced hydrogen, could in the future be delivered via natural gas pipelines, and may well contribute to a future development of the European hydrogen society.