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

Aalto University will receive donations totaling 9 million euros from ABB, Fortum, St1 and the Walter Ahlström Foundation. The donations will be used to establish four new professorships in the field of energy. At the same time, the donations support a new competence centre, House of Energy Transition, that Aalto is establishing.  
 
’The transition to clean energy is as big a transformation for society as digitalisation. No single invention will suffice; we have to rethink the entire energy system,’ says Professor Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, who leads the new competence centre. 
 

The entire value chain under one roof  

More than forty professors and their research groups work on energy across Aalto’s schools, the largest number of energy researchers among Finnish universities. With expertise spanning the entire energy value chain under one roof, Aalto’s research and education are highly relevant to society and industry and can be put into practice rapidly. 

The House of Energy Transition will further strengthen Aalto University’s multidisciplinary collaboration, with the four new professorships bringing the critical expertise needed to accelerate the energy transition. A well-managed and sustainable energy transition supports Finland’s competitiveness, sustainable growth and the creation of innovations.  
 
ABB’s 1.5-million-euro donation will support the establishment of a professorship in power electronics. Breakthroughs and experts in power electronics are crucial for Finnish and European industry, for delivering a sustainable energy transition, and for the operational reliability of the transport and energy sectors.  
 
’We want to be part of building the House of Energy Transition because breakthrough solutions for the green transition require strong partnerships between industry, academia and research institutes. Collaboration also strengthens Finland’s competitive position and secures ABB’s leading role as a pioneer in electrical technology and energy-efficient solutions in the future,’ says Peter Lindgren, Business Line Manager of LV System Drives at ABB Oy.  
 
Fortum donates 1.5 million euros to Aalto University to establish a new professorship in energy strategy. The aim of the professorship is to identify bottlenecks related to the energy transition, bring together the researchers and stakeholders needed to solve them, and support industry and society in taking the necessary actions.  
 
’The electrification of society is progressing, but it has been slowed down by geopolitical challenges, climate issues and pressures related to competitiveness. At the same time, the balance of our energy system is no longer a given. To bring clarity to this uncertainty and to find new solutions, we need new knowledge and insights. This is where the actors and supporters House of Energy Transition play a vital role. At Fortum, we are proud to contribute as a reliable producer of Nordic energy and as a long-term expert in the energy sector,’ says Fortum’s CEO Markus Rauramo. 

The energy transition requires broad collaboration  

St1 donates 3 million euros to Aalto University. The donation will support the establishment of a professorship in energy strategy and a professorship in new energy technologies.  
 
‘St1's energy transition relies not only on existing technologies but also on the development and scaling of new energy solutions, which requires new expertise, continuous innovation, and above all a comprehensive energy strategy. That is why our donation to Aalto University is directed at professorships focused on the core themes of the energy transition, advancing a sustainable and just transformation of the energy system in collaboration with companies and various stakeholders,’ says St1’s CEO Henrikki Talvitie.  
 

The Walter Ahlström Foundation’s 3-million-euro donation is directed to a professorship in sustainable industry, with a strong understanding of sustainability at its core and integrated into industrial production and competitive industry.  
 
’For generations, the Walter Ahlström Foundation has supported visionary work for the benefit of Finnish industry and the future. Now Finland and the world have only a couple of decades to develop the technologies and create the markets needed for industrial transformation in order to stop environmental pollution and the overconsumption of natural resources in time. Aalto has an important role to play in finding solutions, which is why we wanted to accelerate the work with this donation,’ says Professor Markku Wilenius, Chair of the Board of the Walter Ahlström Foundation.  
 
Aalto University will launch the recruitments for the new professors and the operations of the House of Energy Transition during this year. 
 
’We are extremely grateful for these significant donations to accelerate the energy transition. We want to advance a sustainable future through broad collaboration, and we also invite new donors to join us,’ says Aalto University’s President Ilkka Niemelä.