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Energy efficiency through data-driven approaches (VIRTA)

VIRTA

Energy efficiency through data-driven approaches

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Project information

Project	Energy efficiency through data-driven approaches (VIRTA)
Duration	1.10.2026 – 30.9.2028
Partners	Häme University of Applied Sciences
Funders	Co-funded by the European union, Regional council of Häme, Elenia Oy
Budget	378 890 €

In the VIRTA project, we are developing data-driven solutions that enable a better understanding and management of energy consumption. Our goal is to support energy efficiency in businesses and municipalities, identify new opportunities for energy savings, and advance the carbon neutrality goals of the Kanta-Häme region.

From Energy Data to Practical Solutions

Energy consumption generates a great deal of data, but the opportunities it offers are not always fully realized. It can be difficult to integrate and analyze this data, and there may not be enough time or expertise to make the most of it.

In the VIRTA project, we are developing tools and AI-based solutions to support the use of energy data. With these, we aim to make energy consumption easier to understand and to support the improvement of energy efficiency.

For businesses, a better understanding of energy consumption can provide ways to identify areas for improving energy efficiency, support decision-making, and discover new opportunities for operational development. For municipalities and other regional stakeholders, the information generated by the project provides support for planning energy efficiency and preparing for future energy needs.

Working Together Toward a More Energy-Efficient Future

Through the VIRTA project, we promote collaboration among businesses, municipalities, energy companies, research organizations, and other stakeholders. Through co-development, workshops, and other forms of interaction, we strengthen expertise and seek new ways to utilize energy data.

Our goal is to develop solutions that support energy efficiency, sustainable growth, and the carbon neutrality goals of the Kanta-Häme region.

Target groups

The project’s primary target group consists of small and medium-sized enterprises in Kanta-Häme, for which energy consumption plays a significant role in their operations. Municipalities, energy companies, and other energy sector stakeholders are also key partners in this initiative.

Operational area

The project’s activities will be carried out in the Kanta-Häme region.

What do we actually do?

We develop tools to help understand energy consumption. Our goal is to develop solutions that support the monitoring, visualization, and analysis of energy consumption, as well as the comparison of different energy options.

We are researching energy flexibility and electricity pricing. We are investigating how electricity pricing models can encourage companies to time their energy consumption to periods that support the balance of the energy system. We examine the effects of these models through simulations.

We are forecasting future energy consumption. Our goal is to develop future scenarios for energy consumption in the Kanta-Häme region. Using these scenarios, we will examine how energy demand may change over the next 10–25 years and what demands these changes will place on the region’s energy system.