New-Tech Europe Magazine | Q2 2023

Electric transport solutions should be applied more boldly in Finland, says VTT's new Research Professor Mikko Pihlatie

VTT

The transport sector should undergo a significant transformation so that Finland can achieve its targets for fossil free transport. Electrification of transport is one of the answers, but the solutions must also be applied more extensively in practice. VTT continues to strengthen its scientific competence in electric transport research both in Finland and internationally. VTT's Senior Researcher, Doctor of Science in Technology Mikko Pihlatie, was appointed Research Professor of electrification of transport as of 1 May 2023. Transport makes up roughly one quarter of Finland's carbon dioxide emissions. Although the technologies enabling the electrification of transport have developed rapidly

over the past ten years, there is still work to be done in applying the solutions. Pihlatie reminds us that the green transition is an enormous opportunity for Finland also in the transport sector. “In the future, Finland's competitive edge may well be access to cheap renewable electricity, and its flexible direct use in transport, industry and the built environment. In the transport sector, flexibility in sectoral integration through electrification and smart charging can bring us a large-scale competitive advantage. As to industrial investments, Finland should aim for an extensive wave of investments in three areas: renewable energy production as well as investments in the battery hydrogen value chains.” Ari Aalto, Vice President of VTT's Mobility and Transport research area, points out that energy solutions that

are independent of imports and that increase security of supply should also be used more in transport. “The electrification of cars, vans and buses in urban transport is already progressing at a good pace, but in machinery, heavy goods vehicles (HGV), maritime transport and aviation, it is only starting. In the future, electric vehicles can also be used to balance demand spikes in the national energy system and to develop more self-sufficient and crisis-resilient solutions. Vehicle batteries can be equipped with two-way charging to provide flexibility for the entire energy system,” Aalto explains. Research supports industrial innovations Pihlatie has worked at VTT for a long time as a researcher and team leader in energy technologies and their application. Prior to this, he was a

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