Article categories: EnergyVaasa News
Great Market Potential for EnergyVaasa Technology in the USA
Published: 18.12.2024
During the IVLP Exchange, valuable new connections were established with leading players in the U.S. energy sector, as well as representatives from the energy sectors of several other countries, also taking part in the exchange. The work now continues with building on potential new collaborations that benefit the cluster companies and the region's development.
In November, EnergyVaasa cluster’s Communications & Brand Manager, Kristoffer Jansson, participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the USA. Over three weeks, he had the opportunity to meet leading stakeholders from the government, universities, and industry in Washington D.C., North Carolina, Nevada, and Louisiana as part of the program “Renewable Energy as an Economic Driver II.”
A significant portion of the program’s meetings and discussions focused on regional initiatives and opportunities related to the green transition. Jansson noted considerable differences between the states:
– Nevada is a state with tax incentives for new businesses, while neighboring California has an extensive climate program. This leads to manufacturing taking place in Nevada and sales in California, says Jansson.
Access to cheap energy, gas, and fossil fuels are factors delaying the adoption of new energy solutions in the USA. At the same time, there seem to be potential and opportunities for development in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and power grids.
– There is a large market potential for the energy cluster’s companies in the USA. The driving force behind the green transition in the U.S. are companies capable of investing in sustainable development, such as reusing resources. The key to this market is establishing direct connections with these pioneers, emphasizes Jansson.
The cluster’s solutions attracted interest from several energy companies and associations, including a global leader in geothermal energy. Jansson was able to present the cluster and its technical solutions, providing direct contact details to the companies. He also sees potential for collaboration between U.S. universities and higher education institutions in the Vaasa region.
– The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill has a very interesting energy education program and organizes the annual UNC Cleantech Summit, which is comparable to EnergyWeek in Vaasa. Another excellent example is the University of Nevada in Reno,” highlights Jansson.
Jansson accentuates that the exchange has primarily opened important opportunities in many other countries. The program included around twenty participants in leadership roles from companies and government agencies in countries such as Albania, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, El Salvador, Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, the Maldives, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, the Philippines, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
– Most had not previously visited Vaasa or Finland, but many became interested in exploring the cluster’s energy technology solutions. There was also great interest in visiting EnergyWeek 2025, so we are now working on organizing an international delegation to Vaasa in March, says Jansson.