1. Energy production in Finland Energy sources 2008: 86,9 TWh. Clockwise: Hydroelectricity 19,4 %, Wind power 0,3 %, Peat 6,7 %, Biomass 10,2 %, Waste 0,6 %, Nuclear power 25,4 %, Natural gas 12,5 %, Coal 9,8 %, Oil 0,4 %, Net import 14,7 %.

2. Emissions in power production g CO2 –equivalent/kWh – Emissions in power production. From left to right: Coal, Gas, Solar power, Hydroelectricity, Wind power, Nuclear power

3. Solar energy in Finland Solar energy can produce environmentally safe energy for heating and for creating warm service water in a profitable and easy way also in Finland’s weather conditions. Solar energy can produce over half of the annual need for warm service water in a detached house. Most of the solar energy is obtained during spring and summer.

4. Effects on the environment Solar energy production doesn’t produce any direct emissions but the production of solar collectors and especially solar panels consumes energy and therefore causes indirect effects on the environment. Fitting of larger equipment is restricted by the use of land. If you need a large amount of energy you also need larger equipment and more space.

5. The use of coal in Finland During cold and dry years coal is the most important way to produce the much needed extra electricity. Coal covers over 10 % of energy production in Finland. The share of coal in electricity production has varied between 11 and 21 %. Coal produces 26–27 % of district heating and the electricity connected to it. The use of coal is concentrated on the large power plants. Total consumption of energy in 1970-2007. From top to bottom: Net import, Others, Peat, Firewood, Water and wind power, Nuclear power, Natural gas, Coal, Oil

6. Effects on the environment When coal is burned sulfur and nitrogen oxides as well as carbon dioxide are released in to the environment. The released oxides cause environmental damages. In polluted areas they cause serious health problems. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides acidify the soil and carbon dioxide is known as ”a greenhouse gas”. Nowadays heating plants try to reduce the environmental hazards with different kinds of filters.

7. Natural gas in Finland - The import of natural gas began in 1974. Nowadays the share of natural gas in energy production is 12,5 %. - Natural gas is brought to Finland from Russia. - The retail sale and local distribution is taken care of by regional energy companies and by local distribution companies. Energy sources 2008. Clockwise: Hydroelectricity, Wind power, Peat, Biomass, Waste, Nuclear power, Natural gas, Coal, Oil, Net import.

8. Effects on the environment -Natural gas is an environmentally friendly fossil fuel. -Due to its gaseous form hardly any particles, heavy metals or ashes are released. -Compared to coal and oil natural gas contains less coal which merges with oxygen during burning and produces carbon dioxide. -Natural gas is a non-renewable natural resource. A camping cooker A deposit of natural gas

9. Wood as an energy source in Finland Finland is the world’s leading country in putting to use wood as an energy source. For example bark, logging waste and sawdust are used in Finland to produce energy. In 2004 wood produced 27 TWh of the energy in Finland, which is 7 % of the total energy consumption. There are 71,1 billion trees growing in Finland. The use of firewood in heating and power plants in 2007. Clockwise: Bark 7,5; Sawdust; Woodchips (industry); Woodchips (forest).

10. Effects on the environment Trees have the ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it. Using wood as an energy source reduces the use of fossil fuels. Putting forests to use helps preserving their growing conditions and their diversity. In Finland forests grow more than they are used and the coal balance sheet is positive.

11. The use of peat in Finland In 1990-2004 the annual share of using peat for energy production in Finland has varied between 5–7,5 %. Less than 1 % of Finland’s peat ground is put to use in the peat industry. 90 % of the collected peat goes into energy consumption.

12. Effects on the environment Drying up and clearing peat ground releases annually over 800 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition to carbon dioxide peat emissions include mostly sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust like ashes and heavy metals. The concentrations of these are smaller than that of coal but larger than that of firewood. Many endangered species live on bogs and marshes which are important to e.g. deer and birds. There are only few wild peat bogs left.

13. Hydroelectric power in Finland There are over 200 hydroelectric power plants in Finland. 2/3 of the country’s hydroelectric power is put to use. Hydroelectric power has a great importance in the energy production in Finland. Nowadays 10-20 % of the electricity in Finland is produced by hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power can economically and quickly be utilized in the case of consumption peaks. From left to right: pre-filter, lock, generator, turbine. Energy sources in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. From top to bottom: Wind power; Natural gas; Condensate power; Combined electricity and heat, industry; Combined electricity and heat, district heating; Nuclear power, Hydroelectric power.

14. The effects of hydroelectric power on the environment Hydroelectric power is a renewable and clean energy source and therefore doesn’t have any negative effects on the environment. Water doesn’t diminish, go bad or create any solid waste when it flows through the power plant. Hydroelectric power plant affects the ecological balance in the region: –The organisms in the area suffer from heavy metals that dissolve from the soil into the water. –Dams and control basins block fish from moving and change the height of the water level and stream

15. The use of oil in Finland About 35 million liters (220 thousand barrels) of crude oil was consumed in Finland in 2004. Most of the oil brought to Finland is processed into gasoline, diesel and airplane fuel. About 1/3 is used for heating. In 2004 the share of oil in energy production was 25 % and in electricity generation 2,1 %. Oil is also used as a fuel for district heating and for electricity generation related to it.

16. Effects on the environment The carbon dioxide created by burning oil affects global warming, and sulfur and nitrogen oxides increase the acids in the soil and water Accidents related to transporting and producing oil pollute the environment. Large oil leaks cause large-scale ecological catastrophes.

17. COMENIUS- project 2009-2011 Made by students in Hakkala School 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e Economic crises – Stepping Stone to a Greener Europe ?!