The purpose of research and development (R&D) is to improve Fortum’s competitiveness and to create a foundation for new profitable business. The long-term aspiration of R&D is to enable a sustainable carbon dioxide-free future for Fortum. Each new development activity is assessed against the criteria of carbon dioxide emissions reduction and resource efficiency. R&D focus areas are performance excellence of current operations, enabling growth and contributing to an emissions-free energy system in the long-term.
Fortum’s main R&D themes cover the most advanced technologies in the current energy system and the technologies and system solutions that will be needed to enable future Solar Economy. In 2011, a strong focus in R&D was on understanding the potential of various solar technologies. Fortum also teamed up with partners in large programmes to develop smart grid technologies, sustainable urban solutions, and new integrated CHP concepts. Nuclear R&D continued to be the largest and most valuable part of Fortum’s R&D portfolio. Furthermore, the work in the areas of pyrolysis, torrefaction, and the potential of integrating a CHP plant with bioethanol production continued actively.