Helsinki 1 Million Euro Energy Challenge

The climate crisis is the most crucial challenge of our time, and cities have a key role in driving the shift to a low-carbon economy. The Finnish city of Helsinki has launched a global one-million-euro challenge competition to answer the question: How can we decarbonise the heating of Helsinki, using as little biomass as possible?

The challenge

Helsinki is one of the leading cities in the transition towards a sustainable future, with the goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2035. Currently, more than half of the city’s heat is produced with coal. In order to achieve carbon-neutrality, radically new solutions are needed to meet Helsinki’s heat demand.

That is why the City of Helsinki is launching the Helsinki Energy Challenge. A global challenge competition to answer the question:  How can we decarbonise the heating of Helsinki, using as little biomass as possible?

The goal is to find solutions with the potential to be implemented in Helsinki by 2029, and the best solutions will be shared with cities all over the world. We believe the best ideas can come from anywhere, and that great innovation often comes from multidisciplinary and diverse teams. Therefore, the Challenge competition is open globally to everyone – to start-ups and other companies, research institutions, universities, individual experts, consortia or any other actor who can provide sustainable solutions to urban heating.

NB: the last day for application has been postponed due to the coronavirus. The last day for application is now 30 September.

For more information you can download the documents to the right –>
Link to the challenge website: https://energychallenge.hel.fi/

Looking for partners?

Great innovation often comes from multidisciplinary discussions and diverse teams. Therefore it is required that to apply the teams need to consist of at least two members and Helsinki is actively encouraging large and more diverse teams. Nordic Solutions for C40 is an initiative that links Nordic companies and cities facing climate change challenges. You can read more about the challenge and meet other active companies by joining their online platform. On the platform you will find more information about the challenge, how to apply, and connect with others interested in the challenge.

Link to Nordic Solution for C40 website: https://www.solutionsforcities.com/city/helsinki/
Link to SHC by Sweden for potential partners: https://www.shcbysweden.se/suppliers/

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