House of Energy Transition

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Driving the Energy Transition

The transition to clean energy is a societal transformation on the scale of digitalization, and achieving it requires solving a wide range of complex challenges.

Aalto University House of Energy Transition promotes and accelerates a sustainable and just energy transition by bringing together the University's energy research and education from across its six schools under one roof. The expertise of more than 40 professors and research groups spans the entire energy transition value chain—from raw materials and advanced materials to innovations and strategic solutions.

To date, the House of Energy Transition has received a total of €9 million in donations from ABB, Fortum, St1, and the Walter Ahlström Foundation. This unique joint effort has made it possible to establish both the competence center and four new professorships.

The center is led by Professor Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio.

We want to advance a sustainable future through broad collaboration, and we also invite new donors to join us.

Aalto University’s President Ilkka Niemelä

The energy transition takes collaboration

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A unique joint effort

ABB, Fortum, St1 and the Walter Ahlström Foundation have donated a total of €9 million to Aalto University to accelerate the energy transition.

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Scientist in white coat and blue gloves adjusting gauges on lab equipment in a fume hood
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The keys to growth: How the energy transition can make oil obsolete

Professor Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, who leads Aalto’s Energy Transition Hub, explains what it will take to shift to clean energy – and why Finland is well positioned to lead the way.

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Scientist in white coat and blue gloves adjusting gauges on lab equipment in a fume hood
Six adults in smart clothing pose outside a brick building with wall art and a modern campus in the background
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Deep expertise in power electronics

As part of the Energy Transition Hub, Aalto University is establishing four new professorships. ABB’s €1.5 million donation will be directed in particular towards a professorship in power electronics, strengthening expertise in the field across the board, from fundamental physics to system integration.

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Aerial view of a modern brick campus with paths, tram tracks and green lawns on a sunny day

Tackling the bottlenecks of the energy transition

Fortum is donating €1.5 million to Aalto University to establish a new professorship in energy strategy. The professorship will identify bottlenecks in the energy transition, bring together the researchers and stakeholders needed to address them, and support industry and society in taking the necessary action.

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Close view of a wind turbine above a green forest, with more turbines and a sunset sky in the distance
Aerial view of a modern brick campus with paths, tram tracks and green lawns on a sunny day
Two men in black tailcoats stand on stage by a microphone, speaking to a seated audience indoors.

New expertise to accelerate a sustainable energy transition

Energy company St1 is donating €3 million to Aalto University to support the establishment of two new professorships focusing on key areas of the sustainable energy transition: new energy technologies and innovations, and energy strategy.

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Aerial view of a modern brick campus with paths, tram tracks and green lawns on a sunny day
Two men in black tailcoats stand on stage by a microphone, speaking to a seated audience indoors.
Aerial view of a modern campus with red brick buildings, tram tracks and green trees on a sunny day

Solutions for the sustainability transformation of industry

The Walter Ahlström Foundation is donating €3 million to Aalto University to establish a professorship in sustainable industry. At the heart of the professorship is a strong understanding of sustainability and its integration into industrial production and competitive industry.

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Aalto plays an important role in finding solutions, which is why we wanted to accelerate this work through our donation.

Markku Wilenius, Chair of the Walter Ahlström Foundation

Our mission

The House of Energy Transition aims to:

  • Produce high-quality interdisciplinary research to support evidence-based decision-making.
  • Educate a new generation of experts with entrepreneurial mindset to meet the needs of society and industry.
  • Help identify bottlenecks and develop new value chains and roadmaps to advance the energy transition.
  • Research and develop new energy technologies while promoting their commercialization and deployment.
  • Strengthen and expand collaboration with companies, research institutes, public organizations, and civil society to accelerate a sustainable energy transition.
  • Increase the societal impact of energy-related research and foster a holistic understanding of the energy transition and the actions needed to achieve it.

More information about the House of Energy Transition

Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio

Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio

Associate Professor
annukka.santasalo@aalto.fi
+358503044482

More information about donating

Helena Salminen

Helena Salminen

Donor Engagement Manager
helena.salminen@aalto.fi
+358504757108

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A unique joint effort – Aalto University receives EUR 9 million in donations to accelerate the energy transition

Donations from ABB, Fortum, St1 and the Walter Ahlström Foundation will be used to establish new professorships. At the same time, the donations support the establishment of Aalto University House of Energy Transition.
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