Net Zero Energy Ecosystem – building a global network of decarbonized energy
“Imagine if we could seamlessly integrate diverse energy technologies to optimize them to work in harmony, creating a sustainable ecosystem for renewable energy and enabling humanity to thrive and flourish”. Well, we can and it's happening today!
Sumitomo SHI FW’s (SFW) 5-year Net Zero Energy Ecosystem (NZEE) program aims to develop solutions for reaching climate goals and increase energy security.The goal of the program is to develop new solutions that optimize sustainable energy production by integrating different sectors and connecting them within broader energy systems together with project partners. In other words, the program aims to enable a Net Zero Energy Ecosystem and fill in its missing links to make it thrive.
The NZEE balances energy consumption with renewable energy production and storage, helping to achieve net zero or negative carbon emissions. The ecosystem’s technologies and solutions bring together different energy production and consumption facilities.
The program develops global solutions in Finland, for producing sustainable fuels through gasification and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), enhancing energy security with long-duration energy storage and lifecycle services for the energy sector. It also builds digital connectivity to enable seamless cooperation among these systems and solutions.
NZEE PROGRAM ROADMAP
The program features four Reseach, Development and Innovation (RDI) focus areas that together solve the missing links to enable a Net Zero Energy Ecosystem (NZEE). Explore the focus areas and join us!
RDI 1: Production of sustainable fuels and chemicals from residual biomass and waste
This focus area centers on biorefineries that use gasification to process a wide range of sustainable residual biomass and waste feedstocks.
The objective of the focus area is to develop an integrated biorefinery, utilizing fluidized bed gasification to process diverse feedstocks into sustainable fuels and chemicals, and for decarbonizing hard to abate sectors, in particular transportation, including maritime and aviation.
RDI 2: Energy security, reliability and resilience using long duration energy storage
This focus area centers on the Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) solution to enable decarbonized grids with sector integration.
The focus area’s objective is to address the challenges of renewable energy intermittency which is impacting grid stability and security. Developing and optimizing LDES technologies to store energy for extended periods reduces the supply-demand variation in renewable sources like solar and wind. By integrating LDES with LNG, district heating, industrial processes and digitalization, the objective is not only to maximize the usage of renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, but also enable new revenue streams.
RDI 3: CCUS solutions for energy and heavy industries
This focus area centers on developing solutions for energy and hard-to-abate industries, ensuring optimal, end-to-end integration across the value chain for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) applications.
The focus area’s objective is to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, addressing residual emissions and critical for reaching overall decarbonization targets. It also aims to explore carbon-negative emission technologies, which are essential for compensating residual emissions that cannot be avoided.
RDI 4: Maximizing asset value with an integrated digital ecosystem
This focus area aims to optimize plant operations and maintenance efficiency using digital tools, hypothesizing that higher efficiency reduces emissions and waste.
The objective is to combine proprietary and third-party technologies with digital tools through partnerships. The focus area also aims to enable the provision of comprehensive lifecycle services that ensure continuous support, optimization, and long-term sustainability for energy-intensive industries.
Be our NZEE ecosystem partner!
The program aims to involve at least 50 partners, enabling Finnish SMEs to access new high-growth technology markets. Through the project, SFW will significantly increase its RDI activities in Finland.
If you want to join the NZEE program, contact us for more information at [email protected].
The NZEE program enables;
Creating new business, growth and funding opportunities;
- Finnish SMEs to access new high-growth technology markets
- Finnish partners to access funding: In addition to funding the leading company’s projects, Business Finland also offers funding for R&D projects from partners within leading companies’ ecosystem
- Non-Finnish partners to collaborate, network and innovate with Finnish companies
Innovation and collaboration partnerships
- Networking and sharing ideas and knowledge with other NZEE project
Visibility and engagement in cross-sector initiatives involving companies, universities, and research institutes