Heating entrepreneurship in Finland. Final report

The aim of the project was to improve the feasibility of the various forms of heating entrepreneurship and to launch new heating enterprises. The project was carried out by the TTS Institute as part of the national Bioenergy Research Programme. Feasibility was studied both from the viewpoint of the entrepreneurs and of municipalities. Feasibility was improved by developing production chains in the field of heating entrepreneurship and the operability of heating plants. Establishment of new heating enterprises was promoted by producing and disseminating information to potential entrepreneurs and municipalities. The feasibility of heating entrepreneurship was studied at ten enterprises. Information was gathered by resorting to daily bookkeeping and it concerned time usage in the various work stages, fuel consumption and the amount of heat produced. According to the results of the study, the profitability of the enterprises improved with increasing experience. The functional characteristics of heating plants were studied in the light of records maintained of failures and malfunction situations. Research data were also collected by evaluating the technical solutions of heating plants and by interviewing heating entrepreneurs and their customers. The economic impact of heating entrepreneurship from the viewpoint of municipalities was studied by interviewing eight entrepreneurs. All eight heating plants were slightly different. In addition to interviews, additional research data was collected by mailing questionnaires to municipalities. In the light of the responses received, municipalities were satisfied with the operation of the enterprises. Information-dissemination and training events were organised in co-operation with regional development and information organisations. Additionally, alternative ways to realise heating entrepreneurship were demonstrated both at exhibitions and trade fairs as well as at domestic and international seminars. Guiding material on heating entrepreneurship was also formulated. (orig.)