Finland is transitioning its energy sector toward clean energy to achieve carbon neutrality. This shift involves replacing combustion-based systems with renewables and batteries across both energy production and consumption. While the environmental benefits are clear, the transition introduces technical challenges.
On the production side, retiring traditional power plants reduces grid stability, increasing the risk of disturbances and blackouts, as seen across Portugal and Spain in April 2025. On the consumption side, sectors like construction and logistics are adopting hybrid electric machinery, where performance depends on smart battery-engine coordination. Additionally, maintaining battery efficiency in Finland’s climate poses challenges for certain type of machines.
Advanced energy strategies for electric grid and heavy machinery
In his dissertation, Orlando Delgado Fernández developed new energy management systems to support Finland’s green energy transition. For the Finnish electric grid, he introduced efficient monitoring methods that detect harmful oscillations with greater accuracy and lower computational demand. This helps grid operators secure stability even as renewable energy sources like wind and solar gain a larger share of electricity production.
In terms of heavy machinery, his research focused on hybrid electric wheel loaders, which are widely used in Finnish industry. He developed advanced energy strategies that reduce fuel consumption compared with conventional approaches. His solution also ensures the safe operation of batteries in demanding conditions in the Finnish environment.
“After living in Finland for four years, I understand how important energy is for society. Wheel loaders are used to remove the snow, and electric saunas are used to produce löylyä which is the Finnish word for hot water vapor. For me, this was a great motivation to achieve a more efficient and reliable wheel loader and power grid,” says Delgado Fernández.
Orlando Delgado Fernández is originally from Cuba and conducted his doctoral research in the Innovative Hydraulics and Automation (IHA) group at Tampere University. He will be working at GE Vernova Tampere, developing control solutions to improve electric grid stability after finishing his dissertation. GE Vernova Tampere is a global leader in solutions for strengthening the reliability of electric grid.
Public defence on Friday 24 October
The doctoral dissertation of MSc (Tech) Orlando Delgado Fernández in the field of engineering titled Energy Management System for Hybrid Electric Systems ─ Case Studies: Oscillation Monitoring for a Power System and Fuel Consumption Reduction in a Hybrid Wheel Loader, will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University on 24 October 2025, at 12 o’clock. The venue is auditorium K1702 at Konetalo building (Korkeakoulunkatu 6, Tampere).
The Opponents will be Senior Expert Janne Mikael Seppänen from Fingrid Oyj, Finland and Research Professor Mikko Pihlatie from VTT Technical Research Centre Finland. The Custos will be Associate Professor Azwirman Gusrialdi from the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University.