Decentralised energy production could be key to achieving a successful energy transition. Our finalist, Aurelia Turbines from Finland, is at the forefront of it! Building on the results of 30 years of R&D, Aurelia is offering an innovative gas turbine with superior electrical efficiency, low emissions and wide fuel capability. You should definitely meet Matti Malkamäki, CEO who will attend our Tech Festival. But read first more about what makes Aurelia unique in this field.
Describe your product and its history! What is your unique value proposition and your business model?
The technology of the breakthrough turbine, A400, is being based on over 30 years of R&D at Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland. The turbine has an electrical output of 400kW and offers several outstanding benefits: superior electrical efficiency of over 40%, ability to provide both heat and electricity by using an extensive range of fuels, including biofuels, highest partial load efficiency in the market, considerably lower maintenance costs, short payback period, very low emissions and over 90% reliability rate.
Aurelia’s ‘go-2-market’ strategy is to select, appoint and sell through experienced distribution channels rather than sell directly to end users.
What is your vision in regards to the future of the energy economy? And how does your product contribute to this future?
The energy production section will see a change from centralized energy plants to distributed, decentralized smaller facilities. Decentralized energy production is efficient, quick to install and overall less investment hungry than the conventional energy production model.
Aurelia Turbines offers highly efficient distributed combined heat and power (CHP) solutions for small scale process and SME industry. The turbines can utilize a wide range of fuels, including renewables and other non-standard fuels.
What are, in your opinion, the key challenges of the energy transition in general, and what are they specifically for your startup?
The importance of energy efficiency if often neglected, especially in the process industry sector. Consumers for example can benefit from energy savings from LED lights but industrial facilities are not getting guidance and assessments for energy efficient combined heat and power generation solutions. However, recently there has been considerable progress. Good example being the newly released winter package, in which the EU has committed to put energy efficiency first and proposes a binding EU-wide target of 30% for energy efficiency by 2030.
Where are you based, and who are the key innovation drivers in the energy ecosystem in your region?
Our headquarters is located in Lappeenranta, Finland and we have offices in Berlin, Germany and in the UK. The Lappeenranta University of Technology has the biggest role in driving innovation in the Southeastern part of Finland. They have around 100 PhD students in the School of Energy Systems.
Aurelia’s products are based on technology developed by Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland) that specializes in internationally high-level scientific research and doctoral education. The university has conducted related high speed research for over 30 years.
Which results for your startup do you expect from the Tech Festival by DENA in March 2017?
I expect to meet interesting new investors, widen our network and to promote Aurelia to stakeholders of the energy field.
Founded in 2013, Aurelia Turbines is commercializing gas turbine technology developed in Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland. The strategy of the Aurelia team from the outset, has been to have a world class product with high reliability and efficiency achieved with modular components. To this end Aurelia will retain the core expertise and are employing industrial, world-class partners to ensure component scalability and ease of integration into Aurelia’s own technology.
