The content of the blog is written by professor Ulla Lassi who is h at the University of Oulu, and professor Pertti Järventausta from the University of Tampere. Both Lassi and Järventausta offer free online courses through FITech, such as Battery Recycling and Ecosystems and Energiajärjestelmän joustot, which you can read more about on the course pages.
Explore the possibilities of energy storage and the future of the field through this blog post and get inspired!
Energy storage offers new business opportunities
According to professor Ulla Lassi, the need for new skills is constantly growing as the amount of energy production and energy storage is increasing. There are many different industrial expert positions available that require specialised knowledge.
Energy materials are needed, for example, in batteries, electrolysers, and fuel cells. Their production requires new types of expertise, which can reduce dependence on critical raw materials. Energy technology demands a variety of skills related to battery systems, which in turn requires knowledge related to battery recycling and reuse. The field will also offer new commercial opportunities in the future.
“Completely new types of businesses are emerging, for instance, in the construction sector, where the first integrated energy storage systems are being built into public buildings and to the so-called secondary use of batteries,” Lassi explains.
According to professor Pertti Järventausta, one of the society’s greatest global challenges is climate change. Over two-thirds of carbon dioxide emissions are from energy consumption, which explains why energy solutions play a central role in reducing climate change. The green transition requires the renewal of current processes and solutions.
“In the energy transition and green transition, the electrification of processes in different sectors—such as heating, transportation, and industry—is crucial, along with long-term hydrogen economy solutions. Electrical engineering plays a significant role in this development, making the future of the field promising from a business perspective,” Järventausta states.
Finding effective solutions requires new expertise
According to Järventausta, the production of the electrical energy system increasingly relies on weather-dependent wind and solar power, resulting in periods with plenty of cheap energy and times of limited production. The production and consumption of the electrical system should be balanced.
“Traditionally, power balance regulation has been managed by production, particularly hydropower, but in the future, balance management will increasingly involve flexible consumption and especially various energy storages, which can be used for short-term adjustments or long-term seasonal storage. Energy storages are an integral part of a future flexible energy system, presenting many technical and business-related questions that require new expertise and new professionals.”
The industry needs new experts who understand the ongoing transformation and new solutions. In addition to generalists, specialists focused on narrower themes are also required. A technical background is not mandatory for all positions.
“There is a need for multi-talented individuals as well as those deeply specialised in specific themes and technologies. The energy sector offers a wide range of different tasks, requiring many non-technical professionals as well. People can find jobs in the energy sector even without a technical background, although technical skills are also needed. Many professionals are retiring or will soon retire from the energy sector, which is undergoing a transformation, which will lead to the need of new skills and new experts, making employment opportunities look very positive,” Järventausta adds.
Ulla Lassi also anticipates the need for new professionals, describing energy storage and related solutions as a future field that offers diverse job opportunities for experts from various sectors. The demand for professionals is growing. “Although the development in the field has been somewhat slower than expected due to global geopolitical uncertainties, it is clear that the electrification trend continues, and thus, the need for new professionals will also grow in the future.”
Flexible teaching methods also serve adult learners
Ulla Lassi has experience teaching career changers and other adult learners. Lassi describes that teaching adult learners is more challenging compared to degree students, as adult learners often have a more varied level of expertise and background. Many have a long history of practical work, which means adult learners usually challenge the teacher more—in a positive way.
“Adult learners come to the course to learn, not to gain study credits. The best thing about adult learners is usually a very active dialogue during the course and in the learning environment. I have also received learning materials from adult learners, and overall, teaching adult learners is enjoyable. If only we could get them to also complete courses, which is important for university funding—not just to be active participants,” Lassi reflects.
Lassi strives to organise teaching aimed at adult learners online and either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This makes it easier for everyone, including the teacher, to participate regardless of time and location. Offering recordings in the learning environment makes it easier to study, as lectures can be listened to later if one was unable to attend due to work. Online exams have also been found beneficial, especially among adult learners.
Join interesting courses confidently
Ulla Lassi advises students to choose courses based on their interests and to study continuously as the course progresses. It is not advisable to leave studying until the last day.
“Just go for it!” Ulla Lassi’s online course Battery Recycling and Ecosystems is suitable for anyone interested in battery recycling. Basic chemistry knowledge is recommended, but not essential. “I have been running the course for several years, and the course content changes annually. Energy storage is a field where a lot is happening. For example, a new battery regulation has just come into force, and it has been included in the course content. After the course, students will be familiar with the mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes related to battery recycling and relevant legislation. Industrial examples are widely used in lectures.”
Pertti Järventausta’s course Energiajärjestelmän joustot can be taken online independently. “The course is very well suited for those working to supplement their knowledge of the ongoing energy transition, especially from the perspective of the flexibility required by the evolving energy system. The self-study material has been developed in cooperation with researchers from Tampere University, LUT University, and Tampere University of Applied Sciences, covering a wide range of themes related to the transforming energy system, including electricity production, consumption, and various flexibilities.”
Study energy storage for free
Are you interested in studying energy storage? Explore all energy storage courses here! More courses will be published in March-April, and applications for FITech summer studies open on April 8. Welcome to FITech studies!
