Arctic Water Excellence -AWE

In the AWE-project the focus is on solving water-related challenges identified by the business sector through co-development methods. The project leverages digitalization in environmental monitoring of large industrial areas, such as mining sites, and in the development of water balance management. As part of water purification processes, the project is developing advanced recovery processes and separation techniques that enable the utilization of metals and nutrients contained in wastewater as raw materials.

The project AWE – Arctic Water Excellence -strengthens Eastern and Northern Finland’s water expertise

The goal of the AWE-project

Is to contribute to the development of new technologies and their piloting and implementation. The development is focused especially on water-intensive industry and the water supply sector in cooperation with research institutes, companies operating in the field and industrial facilities. The activity aims to promote the formation of new innovations and new business in the sector, supporting, among other things, the growth and competitiveness of small and medium enterprise operating in the sector. 

The project’s key actions

The AWE-project concretizes the realization of the goals of the regional programs of the provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland and the strategies of smart specialization into practice. The project’s measures are implemented in cooperation by eight research organizations in five work packages:

1. The management and coordination of the project and collaboration(Savonia University of Applied Sciences)
2. Intelligent water management methods for industry (The Geological Survey of Finland GTK, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu)
3. Circular economy of municipal water (Xamk & LUT university)
4. Measurement technology (University of Oulu, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd & The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL))
5. From water expertise to business and catalyzing international activities (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd)

Circular Economy of municipal water

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with LUT University, is implementing Work Package 3: Circular Economy of municipal water, which is divided into four sub-tasks:

  • Monitoring of municipal wastewater and new technologies for the removal of harmful substances
  • Demonstrations of stormwater management
  • Reclaimed water as part of the circular economy
  • Communication and network cooperation
Demonstrations of stormwater management will be conducted in the Vesikko demonstration environment

AWE concretizes the implementation of the goals of regional programs and smart specialization strategies in the regions of Eastern and Northern Finland.

The project creates conditions for the formation of internationally competitive joint offerings that address current issues in the water sector. This is achieved by bringing together business consortia and developer ecosystems around the most promising new technologies, solutions, and methods identified during the project for their further development and commercialization after the project ends. As a result of this collaboration, a coordinated, cross-regional network of water expertise is formed. The AWE project also contributes to the implementation of the national urban strategy, particularly in line with the focus areas of Kuopio in Northern Savonia, Mikkeli in Southern Savonia, and Oulu in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kajaani in Kainuu, strengthening innovation ecosystems in these cities. The outcomes of the project also enhance the readiness of the business sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change, especially in water management, and facilitate the implementation of circular economy and digitalization in practice.

More Information

Niina Laurila

project manager

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
040 570 9502
niina.laurila@xamk.fi

Contact

Salla Pulliainen

project researcher

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
040 480 5170
salla.pulliainen@xamk.fi

Contact

Aki Mykkänen

project researcher

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences 
040 486 3722
aki.mykkanen@xamk.fi

Contact

Minttu Paakkari

research engineer

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences 
050 463 4684
minttu.paakkari@xamk.fi

Contact

Hanne Soininen

head of Research Group, D.Sc.(Tech)

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
040 086 9952
hanne.soininen@xamk.fi

Contact

Facts

Project name:

AWE – Arctic Water Excellence

Project duration: 1.1.2023–31.12.2025

Info

Lead partner: Savonia University of Applied Science
Partial partners: Xamk, LUT University, GTK, University of Oulu, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd
Focus area: Forest environment and energy
Research area: Environmental safety and water technology

Budget

Financier and main source of funding: The project is co-funded by the European Union, and the funding was granted by Regional council of Pohjois-Savo.
Total budget: 2 786 089 euros
EU part of the total budget: 2 162 884 euros
Xamk part of the total budget: The Xamk’s budget is 350 289 euros, of which the share of EU funding is 280 231 euros.

Keywords

AWE-project privacy notice

Project partners