Dr Lurian Klein, Innovation Developer at Cleanwatts Digital, recently spent one month on secondment at LUT University, Finland as part of the Coalesce project.
Dr Lurian selected LUT for his secondment due to their robust expertise in smart energy systems, Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), and interdisciplinary research within the Cyberphysical Systems Group (CPSG) and the Lab of Electricity Market and Power Systems (EMPS). He was also impressed with the university’s reputation for spearheading impactful European projects and fostering a collaborative research environment made them an ideal partner.
Cleanwatts empowers citizens and local businesses to play an active role in the energy transition by building and managing RECs. Cleanwatts and LUT have a robust history of successful collaborations, and the COALESCE project offers a unique platform to further cement this longstanding partnership by exploring new, multifaceted dimensions of cooperation.
During his visit Dr Lurian was primarily stationed at the CPSG lab, where he worked closely with Dr Pedro Nardelli and Dr Arun Narayanan and their team, co-leaders of the COALESCE project at LUT. He explained, “This collaboration extended beyond technical research, as we discussed multiple joint collaborations in European project calls, and I helped devise a plan for LUT researchers visiting Cleanwatts, ensuring the ongoing exchange of expertise is smooth and effective. This planning has facilitated the current cross-sectoral collaboration, enriching both institutions’ research capabilities.”
His work also involved liaising with other key departments. He collaborated with researchers from the Lab of Electricity Market and Power Systems (EMPS) – namely with Dr Samuli Honkapuro, Dr Salla Annala, and Dr Behnam Ivatloo, discussing optimisation in REC management and smart grid operation strategies. Engaging with the Energy & Society lab under Eeva-Lotta Apajalahti and the Social Sciences Department under Salvatore Ruggiero provided a deeper understanding of the social dimensions of energy systems and offered valuable insights into how social-technical theories apply to the energy transition. This connection supports joint strategies on assessing the social impact of REC initiatives, crucial for COALESCE’s objectives.
“The secondment was mutually beneficial for my growth as a Cleanwatts representative and the COALESCE project. I gained an enriched perspective on integrating technical and social research approaches, enhancing my ability to design research strategies that account for broader societal implications – which is fully aligned with my expertise. For COALESCE, my visit reinforced the project’s cross-sectoral approach by ensuring Cleanwatts and LUT could align research practices, facilitate researcher visits, and implement shared frameworks effectively. This secondment further strengthened the collaborative bridge between academia and industry, which is central to COALESCE’s goals,” said Dr Lurian.
He added, “The biggest takeaway from my time at LUT was recognising the critical importance of seamless interdisciplinary collaboration. It reinforced my understanding that combining technical energy solutions with social research leads to more robust, community-centric energy systems. This understanding will directly shape future strategies at Cleanwatts, particularly as we integrate findings into our microgrid and REC solutions.”
Dr Lurian also had the opportunity to explore local Finnish culture and values during his time there joining small gatherings with colleagues from different departments in different contexts, where they shared similar and contrasting traditions. This informal setting helped build and reinforce personal connections with researchers from different LUT labs/departments, enriching both professional and personal exchanges.
Going forward Cleanwatts are excited to solidify ongoing collaborations by hosting LUT researchers, continuing the cross-sectoral knowledge transfer initiated. Joint participation in future Horizon 2030 calls will also be a focus, with projects that integrate technical, economic, and social dimensions of renewable energy systems. Additionally, co-authored publications and joint workshops are planned to ensure sustained engagement and contribution to the field.
