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 completion. The business ecosystem developing around the competence center is expected to employ hundreds in the coming decade.

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 present. The diverse program offered participants the opportunity to network and exchange ideas on current topics with other experts.

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 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 local, national and EU level.

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.

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 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 on fuel and a reduction in greenhouse gas and particulate emissions.

The roadmap for sustainable tourism in the Lappeenranta region has been published. The roadmap, prepared