LUT University and Petteri Laaksonen claim double victory in Energy Transition Act of the Year competition

Research Director Petteri Laaksonen has received the 2025 Energy Transition Act of the Year award. Laaksonen has had a long career in industry, and his current work at LUT involves areas such as the energy transition, Power-to-X, and the hydrogen economy. In addition, he is on the board of several startups. Laaksonen was also the people’s choice for the award.

“We at LUT conduct research at a high international level to provide society and industry with research-based clean energy solutions. This will also boost Finland's economy. I’m very grateful and honoured by such a prestigious recognition for our contribution to the energy transition,” Laaksonen says.

The panel of judges wished to highlight LUT's and Petteri Laaksonen's long-standing, impactful work in advancing Finland’s energy transition. According to the judges, LUT University is a key producer of knowledge related to renewable energy, combining strong fundamental research with practical applications and accessible science communication.

“The award emphasises the importance of research and a scientific foundation at a time when their value is increasingly challenged. University research creates legitimacy, expertise, and innovations that reach far into the future and enable the development of a sustainable energy system in Finland,” the panel outlines.

This year, the panel of judges consisted of Matti Vanhanen, valtioneuvos (Finnish honorary title), Antti Herlin, chair of the board of KONE, and Julia Sangervo, psychologist, researcher, and politician.