(This article is produced by the City of Turku and was originally published on the City...
(This article is produced by the City of Turku and was originally published on the City of Turku’s website.)
The renewable energy promoter Elcon focuses on solar power and energy storage in its operations. By developing and selling battery technology, the company enables the energy transition across different sectors. Products designed and manufactured in Finland contribute to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring the security of energy distribution.
Climate Action in a Nutshell
Elcon Solutions
- Designs, manufactures, and develops battery-backed systems and solar power technology.
- Collaborates with customers and partners to develop best practices and processes.
- Has also invested in solar energy for its own operations, particularly in its facilities.
5 Questions About Climate Action:
The following questions were answered by Rainer Nurkkala, Sales Director of Elcon Oy.
- Describe your climate action briefly
We design, manufacture, and develop battery-backed systems. We are currently piloting solar power generation and its storage using battery technology. The goal is to produce commercial products from these, which can be sold to customers and thus multiply the climate action. Our battery-backed AC and DC power supply systems are suitable for power plants, electricity distribution, rail transport, industry, and ICT and telecommunications electrical systems. We also supply backup systems to the industry and electrical network operators to ensure the security of energy distribution.
In 2022, we supplied a 50 kWh battery storage to the Tyyssija building of the Turku Student Village Foundation as part of the Response project. In 2023, we installed a 60 kWp solar power system in our own facilities. This year, we will add a 50 kWh battery storage to the system. Our premises also include electric vehicle charging stations and heating stations. Our building is heated by air-source heat pumps, and most of the energy we use comes from our own solar power. All energy we purchase is renewable.
We are also in a transition where lead batteries are being replaced by lithium batteries, which we supply to customers. In our purchases, we ensure the responsibility of the supplier. - How does your action reduce carbon dioxide emissions?
Solar power is produced on the roof of our property, generating 55 MWh annually, which saves 810 kg of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions per year compared to fossil fuels. Solar energy is also stored in a 50 kWh battery storage. Due to the battery storage, about 190 kg of CO2 emissions are generated annually.
For our customers and employees, we have reserved 9 slow 3.7 kW charging points and 6 medium-speed 22 kW charging points for electric vehicles. During the summer, most of the vehicle charging energy comes from our own solar power plant. Real-time kWh production and CO2 savings reports are available from the solar power system. Separate reports also show the number of trees saved through solar energy. - Why do you take climate actions, and why did you join the effort to make Turku carbon-neutral?
The core value of Elcon Oy’s operations is sustainable development, with a focus on climate issues. We continuously develop the quality of our operations and the realization of our environmental goals. We operate in compliance with environmental legislation and contribute to societal sustainable development goals across all areas of our operations. We use the ISO 14001 environmental management system, and our operations are constantly audited by standards and partners.
Our key customers have strong responsibility goals, and therefore, they also have expectations and obligations for us. We collaborate with customers and partners to develop best practices and processes to make energy and material use more efficient and sustainable, not forgetting supply chains. We also act to prevent environmental pollution. - What is the potential in your industry to reduce carbon emissions, and by what means?
The potential for emission reductions in the industry is significant, and the methods are also substantial. The industry has a strong drive toward carbon neutrality, and companies have the resources to implement the energy transition, including by investing in research and innovation.
Continuously evolving technological solutions enable carbon emission reductions for others as well, creating a ripple effect. - What message do you want to send to other stakeholders?
In addition to our own solar energy investments, we offer solar energy solutions to current and new customers to reduce carbon emissions in the Turku region and globally. Our product packages are available on a non-stop basis at our office.
