EKA+

Positive Energy Districts in Kanta-Häme

Project information

Project	The name of the projectPositive Energy Districts in Kanta-Häme (EKA+)
Duration	1.4.2025-30.9.2027
Partners	Häme University of Applied Sciences Sykli – Environmental College
Funders	Regional Council of Häme
Budget	561 562 €

In the Positive Energy Districts in Kanta-Häme (EKA+) project, we promote energy efficiency and energy security in the Kanta-Häme region by developing energy positive areas (PEDs) in collaboration with SYKLI Environmental College.

In energy positive areas (PEDs), more renewable, emission-free energy is produced annually than is consumed. These areas are energy-efficient and energy-flexible, requiring the integration of different energy systems and interaction between buildings, users, and regional energy, transportation, and ICT systems.

In the Positive Energy Districts in Kanta-Häme (EKA+) project, we promote energy efficiency and energy security in the Kanta-Häme region by developing energy positive areas in collaboration with SYKLI Environmental College.

In the project, we produce information about existing energy positive areas, identify the actors and new innovations needed for the development of these areas, and create a data management plan. We also develop optimization strategies for energy positive areas based on several sustainability criteria. Additionally, we develop a systemic design framework and approach, utilizing effective collaboration models between different target groups of energy positive areas. Finally, we make strategic proposals and plans for energy positive areas in the Kanta-Häme region.

The unique and innovative aspect of the project is its implementation method. We implement the project using a systemic design process, which allows us to examine energy positive areas and their development comprehensively, involving various actors in the common dialogue around them and strengthening the interaction between different actors. In addition to the working process, we bring novelty value to energy positive area projects and research by considering energy types comprehensively in terms of system integration.

With the project, we support the carbon neutrality goals of the Kanta-Häme region by investigating and developing energy positive areas, whose development increases energy efficiency, energy flexibility, diversifies the energy sources used, such as the use of renewable energy, and increases energy security.

The Sustainable Energy Systems research group implements the project together with the SYKLI Environmental College.

Target group

The project’s target groups are small and medium-sized enterprises of various types, both as energy consumers, energy producers, and energy transmitters, as well as energy application developers. Additionally, the target groups include property owners and cities and municipalities as area developers.

Operating area

The project operates in the Kanta-Häme region.

Project goals and results

GOALS

Produce information about existing energy positive areas for the actors in the Kanta-Häme region.
Create an operational recommendation for the property economic considerations required for the implementation of energy positive areas.
Investigate the systemic design framework (Systemic Design) and approach, utilizing effective collaboration models between different target groups of energy positive areas, emphasizing cooperation in energy efficiency measures.
Identify the actors and new innovations still needed (e.g., technological innovations, new business opportunities) to promote green and digital entrepreneurship.
Produce a data management plan and develop optimization strategies for energy positive areas based on several sustainability criteria.
Make 1-3 strategic proposals for energy positive areas in the Kanta-Häme region and create a plan to promote them.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Current state analysis of energy positive areas and investigation of future trends and emerging innovations related to energy positive areas.
Investigations related to the regulation and property economic viability of energy positive areas.
New operational models developed with partners to renew energy ecosystems.
Optimization strategies and data management plan for energy positive areas.
Strategic plans for 1-3 energy-positive areas in Kanta-Häme.
Creating and maintaining networks that support co-development around the topic’s actors.