The FILTER Energy Conference 2025 brought together more than 180 energy professionals from 12 countries — experts, innovators, and industry leaders from across the Baltics and beyond — to explore practical strategies for a smarter, more sustainable energy future.
From the first cup of morning energy coffee to the final panel on flexible systems, the day delivered valuable insights, real-world case studies, and forward-thinking conversations on industrial decarbonization, sector coupling, and energy flexibility.
Opening remark – Where To Invest?
Egert Killing, CEO of FILTER Group, opened the event with a story that perfectly captured the spirit of innovation. His five-year-old son, after receiving two euros from the tooth fairy, proudly announced he had solved the family’s financial problems — by pulling out all his teeth at once. The story set the tone: smart investing starts with curiosity and creativity.
Welcoming nearly 180 participants from 12 countries, Egert emphasized that the FILTER Energy Conference is about engineering and practical solutions — not politics, but progress. Reflecting on the successes and challenges following the Baltic desynchronization from the Russian grid, he noted that maintaining stability has come with new costs and opportunities.
He emphasized that the real challenge isn’t generating more energy, but using it better — through flexibility, efficiency, and smarter design. The key, he noted, is investing in solutions that make sustainability practical.
Electrifying industrial heat
André Bechem, VP of Sales & Product Management at HEATEN, explored how high-temperature heat pumps are revolutionizing industrial heat generation.
Reaching up to 200°C, these systems are ideal for the paper, food, and chemical industries, replacing fossil-fuel-based process heat with clean electricity.
By capturing and upgrading waste heat, they can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% and cut CO₂ emissions by more than 90% — proving that decarbonization can be both technically mature and financially competitive.
Turning waste into value: sector coupling in action
Cathy-Liis Põlluveer, Sales Development Engineer at FILTER, challenged the audience to rethink what we call waste.
She shared powerful real-world examples of unused industrial heat and clean water, often located just meters from district heating networks. Connecting these systems through sector coupling can unlock massive efficiency gains.
“But maybe the real answer isn’t about creating more energy. Maybe it’s about using less. And that’s what sector coupling is all about,”
said Cathy-Liis.
Her message resonated strongly — efficiency and integration, rather than expansion, may hold the key to a truly sustainable energy future.
Industrial symbiosis in practice
Ergi Prommik presented the Estonian Cell case — a model of circular cooperation between industry and agriculture. By integrating biogas and greenhouse systems with Shroomwell, the company has turned by-products into resources, reducing emissions and improving overall efficiency. It’s a powerful example of industrial symbiosis driving real sustainability.
Scaling up industrial decarbonization
A lively panel with Jussi Alpua (Oilon), Andreas Zourellis (Aalborg CSP), André Bechem (HEATEN), and Timo Marttinen (Helen) explored the next steps in scaling decarbonization.
Key discussion points included:
- Advances in high-temperature heat pump technology
- The potential of Pit Thermal Energy Storage (PTES)
- The need for cross-sector collaboration
Their conclusion: industrial decarbonization isn’t a vision — it’s a scale-up challenge.
Engines of the future: powering flexibility
Dr. Jacob Klimstra, an award-winning energy technologist, discussed the evolving role of reciprocating gas engines in flexible energy systems. He emphasized their continued importance in providing inertia, stability, and resilience as renewables grow.
Markus Strömich-Jenewein from INNIO Jenbacher then presented hydrogen-ready gas-engine technology that delivers diesel-like performance and supports millisecond grid balancing — key to future hybrid energy systems combining gas, batteries, and renewables.
Frequency control with electric boilers
Marcus Wigren, CEO, and Jack Svensson, System Engineer at Zander & Ingeström AB, demonstrated how electrode boilers are becoming essential for grid flexibility.
Operating at over 99% efficiency with rapid response times, they can absorb excess renewable power and stabilize the grid through frequency control (FCR, FRR).
Together with FILTER, Zander is currently building Europe’s largest electrode boiler plant for Helen in Helsinki — a landmark project showing how electrification and flexibility go hand in hand.
Panel: building a flexible energy future
Experts Armen Kasparov (Enefit), Adam Erki Enok (Sunly), Markus Logren (Elisa DES), and Jaak Tuksam (Gren) shared insights on the challenges and opportunities of energy flexibility.
Key takeaways:
- Flexibility is essential as renewables grow.
- Systems must handle long, calm, and dark periods.
- Market frameworks must evolve to support extended balancing needs.
Conclusion: Flexibility isn’t tomorrow’s goal — it’s already today’s reality.
Elering’s digital transformation
Tarmo Rähmonen, Head of Operational Planning at Elering, showcased Estonia’s transformation of its balancing and wholesale energy markets — the most significant change in a decade.
By creating a digital, scalable, and open platform, Elering expanded from 9 to 22 active service providers, driving efficiency, flexibility, and competition across the system.
Progress starts with people
The FILTER Energy Conference 2025 was not just about technology — it was about people and collaboration. We were delighted to welcome participants and customers from across the Baltics and Nordics, and to connect with new potential partners.
Every conversation reminded us that collaboration is at the heart of progress. We sincerely thank all our speakers, panelists, partners, and the FILTER team for turning ideas into action. Because at FILTER, we believe that TEAM means more than just a word:
T – Trust | E – Eager to grow | A – Act with purpose | M – Make an impact
Looking ahead
The energy world is evolving fast, and FILTER remains focused on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and real solutions — today — for a smarter tomorrow.
Couldn’t be there in person? Feel the FILTER Energy Conference 2025 vibe in our video below.
