With support fromthe Novo Nordisk Foundation, Aalborg University is now establishing a new platform for teaching and research in CCUS, P2X, and otherfuture technologies energy systems. With over 50 million. kr. in back will become ENERGY-HUB a flagship project for interdisciplinary learning, technological development and community engagement.
In the upcoming year is being built ENERGY-HUB in backyard by Department of Energy, where that will be a part by the 6,000 square meter laboratories, which already is available on the institute.
“We create a platform, where we don’t simply teach in the energy systems — our students are building them. That will be a sort of mini version of the energy systemwe as society must develop. Here can students work experimental and TVacademic with real technologies and issues,” says professor and Deputy Director Mads Pagh Nielsen, who is project manager on ENERGY-HUB.
Ambitious Scaling Up of leadENG Projects
In addition to that teach they engineering student on a new way is it also the ambition, that there must 50 so-called leadENG projects in the race by they upcoming six year, which is a significant upscaling in relation to that number projects, which usually be implemented annually on the university. The leadENG projects is the university’s award-winning model for interdisciplinary, problem-based student projects, where groups from various educational programs collaborations about develop specific solutions – for example a vertical-shaft windmbeer, a underwater drone or sustainable building materials.
“It’s a quantum leap in level of ambition. It is a giant lift, and that results in us opportunity in order to build something, which really can do a very large difference,” says Mads Pagh Nielsen with a smile and continues:
“This is about not only about technology. The Future’s energy systems requires also understanding for societal, political and human aspects. That is why ENERGY-HUB is a project for all of Aalborg University – from engineerears and planners to business economists and lawyers—and for our partners, especially those in North Jutland.”
5,000 young people must experience the energy systems
ENERGY-HUB will not just for AAU’s own students. A centrally goal is that engage high schools and elementary schools in the region and the rest of the country. The Project has such as ambition to get visit by up to 5,000 students, such as must is introduced to the future’s energy systems, take take part in build the environment and at the same time gladly be inspired to search in on Aalborg University.
“We at, that they young people, which is coming out and experiences something on the university, has far larger trend to choose a STEM-education. That is why has we sold funds so that high schools can get covered travel expenses and get access for hands-on instruction,” says Mads Pagh Nielsen.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation: An Important Contribution to the Future of Energy Education
Novo Nordisk Foundation, which has donated 53 million. kr. to the project, See ENERGY-HUB such as a important step in direction by that strength young people’s interest in natural sciences and technology.
“At Novo Nordisk The Foundation we are proud by that support ENERGY-HUB. The Idea by letting students design and build a mini-energy park such as a part by their education is innovative, and that will really strength their understanding and skills compared to sustainable energy systems,” says Berith Bjørnholm, Vice President, Education & Outreach, and adds:
“ENERGY-HUB provides also a unparalleled opportunity to provide schools, high schools and the wide one public a larger insight in the importance by that surpass to sustainable energy. At long sieve will the initiative contribute to build that necessary workforce and cupboards that societal support, that will require so that Denmark can well his/her objective about be independent by fossil fuels “by 2050.”
Facts About ENERGY-HUB
- Appropriation: 53 million. kr. from Novo Nordisk Foundation (2026–2032)
- Location: Department of Energy, Aalborg University
- 50 leadENG projects over 5 years
- Goal : 6,000 participants in teaching and outreach activities , of which at least 1,200 will be university students.. They other will be visits from high schools and other educational institutions.
- Collaboration with UCPBL (UNESCO-recognized research center on AAU, which has focus on problem-based learning and internationally collaboration), NTNU (Norway’s engineering and natural sciences university), University College Northern Jutland and more high schools and elementary schools.
Read more on aau.dk in the article AAU builds mini version of the energy system of the future
