Eesti Energia and University of Tartu leaders discussed further cooperation

On 15 October, entrepreneurship leaders of the University of Tartu met the leaders of Eesti Energia, who presented the company’s new developments and possible areas of cooperation.

The University of Tartu and Eesti Energia have worked together in various fields, from teaching to applied research. For example, students of the Institute of Computer Science can complete an industrial master’s programme in IT at Eesti Energia. In the Data Science and Machine Learning courses, students can solve problems related to forecasting energy consumption and production, which have been proposed by Eesti Energia.

Eesti Energia also cooperates closely with the Chair of Management of the School of Economics and Business Administration, who offers a micro-credentials programme in strategic management for Enefit managers. Associate Professor of Management Kurmet Kivipõld leads an applied research study commissioned by Enefit Solutions, an Eesti Energia subsidiary. The study, which analyses the possibilities for enhancing management quality in the company, is in its final stages. Eesti Energia has close contacts with the Institute of Chemistry researchers to keep abreast of the latest trends in the world’s rapidly evolving hydrogen technologies.

The university and Eesti Energia meeting started on Tuesday morning in the Delta study building with discussions on potential cooperation with the research groups of the Institute of Computer Science and a visit to the High Performance Computing Centre. Then, the participants headed to the university’s main building, where Andrus Durejko, Chairman of the Management Board of Eesti Energia, presented the company’s updated strategy and research-intensive development projects to strengthen existing cooperation and facilitate new opportunities.

Vice Rector for Development Tõnu Esko and Head of Entrepreneurship Mihkel Tammo of the University of Tartu gave an overview of the university’s business cooperation principles and the areas of research related to the activities of Eesti Energia.

“The University of Tartu is uniquely positioned in Estonia to help solve complex energy challenges ranging from the development of hydrogen technologies to more efficient management planning. Cooperation with Eesti Energia helps quickly apply the knowledge of our researchers and students to the real world,” said Mihkel Tammo, Head of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tartu.

The parties admitted that the meeting gave a new impetus for further cooperation. They scheduled further meetings on teaching, data science, co-funding of research and development projects and possible joint proposals.

“Rapid changes in the energy sector present us with numerous challenges, from modernising the oil shale industry into a smaller-footprint chemical industry to developing the data and computer science needed to succeed in the energy markets,” said Kaarel Kutti, Partner Relations Development Manager at Eesti Energia. “This is why it is so important to find new collaboration opportunities year after year.”

The representatives of Eesti Energia present at the meeting were Andrus Durejko, Chairman of the Management Board; Kristjan Kuhi, Member of the Board and Development Manager; Kaarel Kuusk, Head of Hydrogen Projects; Raido Ivalo, Member of the Management Board and Head of Business IT; Kärt Ots, Cofunding Development Manager, and Kaarel Kutti, Partner Relations Development Manager. The University of Tartu was represented by Rector Toomas Asser, Vice Rector for Development Tõnu Esko, Head of Entrepreneurship Mihkel Tammo and Partnerships Coordinator Alar Tõru from the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Head of the Institute of Computer Science Heisi Kurig and Head of Industry Collaboration Helen Jõesaar.