Research group
New Energy
The world needs clean renewable energy production and electrical transportation. Through our research and development, we respond to the challenges of the energy transition.
The core themes of our research are energy in its new ways of production, distributed energy systems, energy storages and sustainable mobility. We work on system level of energy of buildings, districts and cities. We train new energy engineers and offer consulting, testing and measurement services to companies as part of the New Energy Research Centre.
We work on system level of energy of buildings, districts and cities. Also, very wide spectrum of energy users are considered, from home appliances to large ships. We focus on the electrical form of energy distribution, as well as on heat transfers. We also work with storages in electrochemical, thermal and chemical forms.
In sustainable mobility focus area we reseach and develop electric charging solutions and battery performace testing from ebike to ebus. We promote active mobility modes and public transport with simulation based studies, hardware-in-the-loop based testing and impact and process evaluation of mobility measures.
Our research focus
- Photovoltaics
- Wind Energy
- Bio-energy
- Energy Storage
- Sustainability
- Power Electronics
- Distributed Energy Systems
- E-mobility
- Citizen Engagement
At the New Energy Research Center, we develop solutions for intelligent and efficient usage of renewable energy. Our research and education spans across solar technology, distributed energy systems, and sustainable mobility. Through collaboration with local and international businesses, education institutes and public bodies, we aim at creating more resilient future, where renewable energy sources are seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Samuli Ranta, Senior Lecturer, Research Group Leader
New Energy Research Center – NERC
Research and development facilities
The NERC laboratory for research and development is located in Turku, Southwest Finland. The state-of-the-art equipment supports both research and specialised education. This has been made possible by consequent investments since 2017. The 300 m² laboratory space hosts the Solar Lab, the Des Lab and Battery Lab. There is also other research facilities, such as PV production plant, located on the roof of the building. We support local and regional industry providing consultancy or equipment testing services.
Our Experts
Our research group is multidisciplinary and international and active in both, research and teaching. In our team competencies in photovoltaics, wind energy, electrochemical energy storage, power electronics, energy measurement, sustainable mobility and data management come together. Our members’ different backgrounds are the best ground for creativity and innovation, while many years of experience help us to be agile, reliable and accurate. The wide spectrum of knowledge is a disposal of our students and we also regularly have students working on our projects as assistants, providing them with valuable experience.
Collaboration & partners
Collaboration with experts in the frame of international Task Forces or Working Groups allows us to keep up-to-date with technology progress and future trends.
- IEA – PVPS (International Energy Agency, Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme): Task 13 aims at supporting market actors to improve the operation, the reliability and the quality of PV components and systems.
- DERlab association (European Distributed Energy Resources Laboratories) gather competences of leading laboratories and research institutes in the field of distributed energy resources equipment and systems, developing joint requirements and quality criteria for the connection and operation of distributed energy resources (DER) and supporting consistent development of DER technologies.
- Collaborators of different Standardisation Committees in the fields of EMC and System aspects of electrical energy supply.
- Batt4EU is a co-programmed Partnership established under Horizon Europe that aims to achieve a competitive and sustainable European industrial value-chain for e-mobility and stationary applications.
In addition, we have an extensive partner network that includes global and local universities, companies and research institutes. Read more
Publications
Education
The New Energy research group provides the Turku University of applied sciences students with opportunities for being involved with the research group’s activities Student, if you would like to do your internship or thesis for New Energy, fill in the application.
We also produce several courses/study modules for the Energy and Environmental Engineering degree program. Renewable energy is one of the three main fields of specialization that the students can choose.
Strong project skills
The Turku University of Applied Sciences Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.