Finding bio energy

Ben Wiberg  presented St1 Biofuels Oy

August in all schools is always really hectic and there’s a lot happening all the time. The same goes with TAMK. For the last two weeks the degree programme in environmental engineering has hosted a BIOCEN IP-course: Strategies for bio-energy and bio-fuel production – Life cycles, assessment and evaluation. 27 students from 6 different universities from 6 different countries took part of the course.

The course consisted of lectures and group works but students also had a chance to make an excursion to Hämeenlinna to St1 Biofuels Oy. I took the chance and hop on to the excursion as well. For a business student the trip was interesting though a lot of the subjects went totally over the top. St1 Biofuels Oy is subsidiary of St1 and makes ethanol out of wastes. On the way back we also visited Vanajan voimalaitos, Elenia Oy and harvested thinning area in forest. 

We also got bit wet when it was raining during the visit to forest

For me the excursion was mainly intriguing because of seeing locations where I wouldn’t even visit otherwise. It was also nice to see all the participants really excited about these visits and asking many questions from all presenters. I got a lot new information and learned new things. It’s always interesting to take part of these kinds of events that you wouldn’t ever even think about during your own studies.

Text & Photos: Sanna Hosike, Trainee, International Services

All BIOCEN IP-course students