Implementing a sustainable energy transition cannot be achieved through individual inventions; the entire energy system and its value chains must change.
Fortum donates 1.5 million euros É«É«À² University, directed to 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.
’Fortum’s role is to advance the electrification of our societies and our customers. To support this, we provide our reliable Nordic energy and our long-term expertise in the energy sector. However, electrification is being slowed down by challenges related to geopolitics, climate issues and competitiveness. At the same time, the balance of our energy system can no longer be taken for granted. To find new solutions, we need fresh knowledge and perspectives from actors and researchers such as those involved in the House of Energy Transition,’ says Fortum President and CEO Markus Rauramo.
Expertise in energy strategy is needed to solve many big questions. How do we build the electricity markets of the future? How will different companies and regions benefit from the change? How do we balance the power grid to withstand generation that no longer flexes in the same way? The crises of the 2020s have further underscored the importance of energy and the expertise related to it.
’Thanks to the donation, we are able to produce the most important capital for Finland’s future: research-based knowledge and new professionals who will ensure the energy sector’s independence and success in the decades to come. Warm thanks to Fortum for the significant donation and for the long-term collaboration,’ says Aalto University President Ilkka Niemelä.
The professorship will become part of Aalto University’s new competence centre, House of Energy Transition, which brings together the university’s energy-related research and education. The centre’s main goal is to accelerate the sustainable energy transition.
Fortum is a Nordic energy company. We generate and deliver reliable energy to our customers and the Nordic energy system while at the same time helping industries decarbonise their processes and grow. Our core operations comprise efficient and best-in-class low-carbon power generation, customer services, and heating and cooling. Fortum’s power generation is already 99% from renewable or nuclear sources with one of the lowest specific CO2-emissions in Europe. We are guided by our ambitious SBTi-validated emission reduction targets on our way towards net-zero by 2040. For our ~4,500 employees, we commit to be a safe and inspiring workplace. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. 
Fortum News Desk, tel. +358 40 198 2843 (Mon-Fri, 9:00–16:00 GMT+2)
Ilkka Niemelä
President, Aalto University
president@aalto.fi
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.
The transition to clean energy is a societal transformation on the same scale as digitalisation, and Finland has many strengths to support it, says professor Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, who leads Aalto University’s new competence centre, House of Energy Transition.
The donation will support the new competence centre, House of Energy Transition.
Lahjoituksella tuetaan kahden uuden professuurin perustamista: uudet energiateknologiat ja -innovaatiot sekä energiastrategia.
The donation will enable Aalto to establish a professorship in sustainable industrial production.
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