Lappeenranta is ambitious in its climate targets, and green electrification is a common objective for the entire region. The city, LUT University and companies are working hard to test and develop not only the electrification of heavy-duty road transport and large machinery, but also electric aviation. In fact, a test field for electric aviation is […]
A significant energy sector conference, Future Energy Solutions, was held in Lappeenranta on September 10-11 2024, focusing on accelerating the green transition. Held for the third time, the conference brought together industry experts, researchers, and company representatives to discuss sustainable energy solutions and promote green transition and growth. There were a total of 200 participants […]
Press Release by LAB University of Applied Sciences, 8.10.2024 LAB University of Applied Sciences and LUT University are building a competence center for biomaterials in Lappeenranta. The international bioeconomy hub took a significant step forward in October with the granted funding. The biomaterials competence center in Lappeenranta will serve both companies and research institutions upon […]
The international Future Energy Solutions conference is organized in Lappeenranta already for the third time during September 10–11, 2024. The conference gathers energy experts from the European Commission, businesses as well as research communities to discuss and share the newest research about topical energy issues. The event is organised at the City Hall of Lappeenranta, and […]
The first electric buses in South Karelia have been introduced to Lappeenranta’s public transport system. There are six new electric buses, and they began operating in the Lappeenranta area on 31st of May. The electric buses have appeared on the streets with new looks, featuring pink wraps under the Jouko – Lappeenrannan seudun joukkoliikenne brand. […]
In March, the European Commission awarded the cities of Espoo, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Tampere and Turku the prestigious EU Mission Label in recognition of their systematic work to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The Climate-Neutral Europe is Made Together event, held on 28 May in Espoo, brought together the key makers of the carbon-neutral cities at […]
The City of Lappeenranta has been awarded the EU Mission Label for its impressive and ambitious work for the climate. The Label was awarded at the EU Research and Innovation Days in Brussels on 21 March 2024. It was given by Mission Manager Patrick Child and received by Acting Mayor Jari Iskanius. Finance Director of […]
The City of Lappeenranta has received funding of €600,000 from the European Union’s Pilot Cities Horizon programme to develop the elasticity of demand in district heating. The funding will be divided equally between the City of Lappeenranta and Lappeenrannan Energia, a group company owned by the city. The funding will be allocated over two years […]
The city of Lappeenranta has been piloting a heat storage technology in a district heating facility, developed by Elstor Oy. In this solution cheap off-peak electricity is stored in a heat reservoir, which can then be released as heat, replacing fossil fuels. Lappeenranta’s Environmental Director, Ilkka Räsänen, states that this approach leads to cost savings […]
The roadmap for sustainable tourism in the Lappeenranta region has been published. The roadmap, prepared for the first time, identifies the greatest sustainability challenges in tourism in the Lappeenranta region and sets a goal to respond to them. The goal of the City of Lappeenranta’s sustainable tourism strategy is to reduce the current carbon footprint of tourists […]
Threading-CO2 aims to scale-up and demonstrate its first-of-its-kind technology producing high-quality commercially viable sustainable PET textile products from CO2 waste streams at industrial scale (TRL7) using a circular manufacturing approach and running on renewable energy sources. The overall objective of Threading-CO2 is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the textile industry by demonstrating and […]
The City of Lappeenranta in Finland is testing an energy storage system at the Selkäharju district heating plant. It is a heat accumulator system whose testing started in 2019 at the Mustola district, Lappeenranta. The testing ended in January 2022, when changes to the district heating network due to the energy crisis meant that Mustola […]
The City of Lappeenranta together with LUT University is organising the Future Energy Solutions conference during 8–9 November 2022 at LUT University in Lappeenranta. The second FES conference can also be attended remotely, but the organisers hope that people in the industry will be able to meet each other and network on the spot for […]
During 2021, the City of Lappeenranta celebrated the European Green Leaf Award. The European Green Leaf is a competition organized by the European Commission for cities with remarkable efforts on environmental actions and with a population of 20 000 to 99 999 inhabitants. In Lappeenranta, the improved outdoor, recycling, urban gardening and electric bicycling possibilities of the […]
The European Commission has recognized the central role of cities in combating climate change and also involving citizens in it. The European Union sought for pioneer cities in its new Mission program to aim for climate contracts of the European Union and the cities. Now, the European Commission has announced the cities that fill the […]
Lehmus Roastery is a small roastery in Lappeenranta that has been roasting coffee in an old storehouse building on the shore of Lake Saimaa since 2016. All of the roastery’s coffees are made responsibly and offer special flavours for customers to enjoy. Lehmus Roastery is participating in the climate work of South Karelia by joining […]
Espoo-based developer of biotechnology and circular-economy innovations Nordic Bioproducts Group is investing around EUR 30 million in the construction of a new pilot plant, which is due to open in the Harapainen district of Lappeenranta in early 2023. Designing and building the plant is the responsibility of Lappeenranta-based Fiber-X Finland. Once completed, the pilot plant will […]
The Cata3Pult project has a goal to develop overall six business cases in the following substantial focuses: Improving the energy and eco-efficiency of the private housing stock of St. Petersburg by reducing the consumption of natural resources for lighting and heating, and by improving the efficiency of solid waste management. Reducing the environmental load of […]
Aurelia Turbines, headquartered in Lappeenranta, was founded eight years ago and manufactures small gas turbines for the needs of industry. The turbines have been designed to use hydrogen as well as biogas, synthetic gas and other renewable and non-standard fuels. Concerns about the climate have brought hydrogen to the fore because it can be used […]
Greenreality Network (GRN), a business-driven energy and green technology cluster in South Karelia, has been accepted as a member of the exclusive International Cleantech Network (ICN). The GRN coordinator, Development Manager Markku Mäki-Hokkonen sees the cluster’s ICN membership as a significant recognition of southeast Finland’s green electricity and environmental know-how. The Greenreality Network’s ICN membership was confirmed […]
The press release is an excerpt from Mayor Kimmo Jarva’s speech at the ending ceremony of the Green Leaf year on 10 December 2021, with partners and participants from the year in attendance. “When we won the 2021 Green Leaf Award in a competition organised by the EU Commission just over a year ago, Lappeenranta […]
The European Green Leaf Award year 2021 has been active in the City of Lappeenranta. The ambitious climate work in Lappeenranta continues although the city’s 2021 European Green Leaf Award year is ending soon. In the award year’s closing event on December 10th, it is time to turn a new leaf and look forward to […]
Yaskawa is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial robots in the world. The new custom-built laser welding unit delivered to Metso Outotec, which is valued at approximately EUR 1 million, is a natural part of the centre’s long-term development. The City of Lappeenranta welcomes the investment in sustainable technology. Metso Outotec’s Lappeenranta unit has […]
On the 13th and 14th of September, the City of Lappeenranta hosts Future Energy Solutions Conference, a high-level event related to green electrification and hydrogen economy. The event demonstrates how to transform air and water into fuels, chemicals, materials and even food. Future Energy Solutions is a hybrid event online and at the Lappeenranta City Hall. The world is looking for a new […]
City of Lappeenranta (Finland), together with Cities Lahti (Finland), Grenoble (France) and Växjö (Sweden) organises the How green cities lead the way to European recovery? -webinar on 13th October as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2021. Four green cities, all Green Capital or Green Leaf winners, will organise the webinar in […]
City of Lappeenranta and Greenreality -services are a partner in a project researching and improving, among other things, citizens’ awareness about environemtal issues. We ask you kindly to take part in a research, which in conducted primarily in Russia (Saint Petersburg) and Finland (Lahti and Lappeenranta). The purpose of this research is to determine the level […]
On the 13th and 14th of September, the City of Lappeenranta hosts Future Energy Solutions Conference, a high-level event related to green electrification and hydrogen economy. The event demonstrates how to transform air and water into fuels, chemicals, materials and even food. Future Energy Solutions is a hybrid event online and at the Lappeenranta City […]
Lappeenranta Junior University, or Uniori, the joint model of science education by LUT University and the City of Lappeenranta has won an international award for higher education institutions. Uniori won one of the categories at the International Green Gown Awards 2021, a competition celebrating sustainability initiatives in higher education. International Green Gown Awards is a competition […]
Lappeenranta Junior University, or Uniori, is a joint implementation model of science education by the City of Lappeenranta and LUT University. Uniori got its start from the inspiring cooperation idea of LUT University and the top management of the City of Lappeenranta in 2017. From 2018 to 2021, Uniori has developed into a versatile continuum […]
Fiber-X Finland Oy was founded in 2019 as a companion for the Swedish Fiber-X AB. The company’s CEO Mikko Ruuska has learned a lot from Heikki Sojakka, the head of their Swedish affiliate. Heikki has trained hundreds of paper mill workers on his own machine”, says Ruuska. – In addition to this training, he has […]
Soletair Power found new customers with the Fast Expert Teams network and a digital platform Soletair Power in Lappeenranta had a challenge: where to find the very first customer for the company’s pioneering green technology innovation. The company had developed a device to produce synthetic renewable fuel from carbon dioxide in air supplied to building […]
The Finnish Climate Fund, a state-owned special-assignment company, has granted a capital loan of up to EUR 4 million to the Lappeenranta-based Elstor Oy, which produces emission-free energy. The loan will go towards promoting the deployment of the Elstor heat storage solution. The company announced the news in a joint press release with the Finnish […]
Lahti and Lappeenranta, two Finnish cities that are both environmental forerunners, are launching an international challenge campaign, the purpose of which is to encourage people to take an interest in the cleanliness of their environment by collecting litter. The campaign encourages everyone to spend one hour in nature cleaning up in May. The #Zeropollutionhour campaign […]
The City of Lappeenranta won the European Green Leaf 2021 title in a competition organised by the European Commission highlighting pioneering green cities in Europe. With the victory, Lappeenranta decided to continue the promotion of sustainable development and sharing of good practices, for example, through a standalone budget reserved for this purpose. The city wants […]
ARI PIISPANEN founded his first business Konetuote Piispanen in 1989. Since then, he has founded many new businesses and invented new technologies. Now, the serial entrepreneur is driven by the desire to beat the climate change. Piispanen enjoys having his office adjacent to LUT University. “Finding new talent is easy with the university next door,” […]
Green electrification, which refers to replacing energy generated using fossil fuels with electricity generated using renewable energy sources and using renewable energy in transport, work machines and various industrial sectors, is an important step towards a carbon-neutral future. The City of Lappeenranta and the Town of Imatra have signed an agreement with the Ministry of […]
The City of Lappeenranta is one of the first cities to join the EU Green City Accord. In Finland, the agreement has previously been signed by three cities and in Europe by 18 cities in total. The Green City Accord is a new initiative in the EU which encourages cities to promote environmental protection and […]
Apply for a special nomination of the “New names in fashion” contest CIRCULAR FASHION ”New Names in Fashion 2021” looking for new ideas for attractive & sustainable clothing or accessories based on the principles of the circular economy. The special nomination is aimed to promote the future of the industry – sustainable and circular fashion. The products […]
Lappeenranta Energy’s new green district heating system has been well received by the market. The Lappeenranta Student Housing Foundation LOAS was one of the energy company’s first customers to switch to carbon-neutral green district heating. Other customers wishing to reduce their carbon footprint are expected to follow suit soon. Green district heating clearly appeals to […]
The New Year’s Eve celebrations will be organised safely in Lappeenranta in virtual format, and a magnificent light art show will replace the traditional fireworks display. The virtual celebrations also kick off Lappeenranta’s “Europe’s greenest city” theme year as the winner of the European Green Leaf Award 2021. The virtual New Year’s Eve celebrations, which […]
“Perhaps the most important network in the region” – Greenreality Network elects new Steering Group South Karelia is one of the first regions in Finland to actively pursue carbon neutrality, and Lappeenranta has just been chosen as the greenest city in Europe. The City of Lappeenranta is heavily involved in an initiative called the Greenreality […]
Lappeenranta has appointed a core team to implement the European Green Leaf Year 2021. The Green Leaf project manager will be Kati Korhonen, who currently coordinates international affairs in Lappeenranta’s corporate administration. Korhonen has many years of experience in project management, event production and corporate communications. Most recently, Korhonen has been working on Hinkua Etelä-Karjalaan […]
The city of Lappeenranta (Finland) won the title of the greenest city in Europe, European Green Leaf Award 2021, in a competition organised by the European Commission. This year the title was given to two cities, so in addition to Lappeenranta, Gabrovo from Bulgaria won the title. The winners were decided on the evening of […]
Lappeenranta has signed the European Circular Cities Declaration along with three other Finnish cities: Helsinki, Turku and Tampere. The declaration was published on 1 October at the 9th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns in Mannheim, Germany. Anni Sinnemäki, Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment of the City of Helsinki, represented Finland at the event. […]
Lappeenrannan Energia offers a new green product for district heating. Green district heat is produced at the combined heat and power (CHP) facility of Kaukaan Voima using renewable sources of energy, such as wood residuals and forest chips. Green district heat is produced carbon neutrally in cogeneration with electricity, making it an ecological form of […]
Biogas production is already in full swing at the Etelä-Karjalan Jätehuolto Kukkuroinmäki biogas plant. The construction of the biogas plant was slightly delayed due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite of that, the European workers were able to start installation in August. In late summer and early autumn, staff has made […]
Christoffer Ehrnrooth has been appointed as CEO of GreenEnergy Finland (GEF) as of 4 September 2020. Ehrnrooth also acts as CEO of Oy Flinkenberg Ab, the majority owner of GEF, and as chairperson in GEF’s Board. GEF’s Chief Operating Officer is Business Director Miia Lehtinen. Mikko Pääkkönen leaves his post as the CEO of GEF […]
Seven Baltic Sea Region countries are taking part in the EFFECT4buildings project. Lappeenranta participates in the project through the Environmental Office of Lappeenranta Region and the GreenReality services. Other partner countries involved in the project are Sweden (lead partner), Norway, Denmark, Poland, Estonia and Latvia. The project will result in a comprehensive set of calculation […]
The city of Lappeenranta presented a 3D model of the city centre to the public during the Greenreality Carnival. The model has also been published online and can be viewed in the Mapgets platform. We recommend using Google Chrome to view the model. The model gives you an idea about what Lappeenranta could look like […]
LCA Consulting carried out a carbon footprint calculation for LOAS, the Student Housing Foundation for the Region of Lappeenranta, in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG). The purpose of the carbon footprint calculation was to support and develop the assessment of sustainability in the operations of LOAS. LOAS intends to reduce its carbon footprint […]