News / 19.9.2024

Helen and Aalto University launch cooperation to develop an energy system

Helen Ltd and Aalto University are launching cooperation to develop a smart energy system. The two-year project, the first in the cooperation, focuses on utilising new types of artificial intelligence solutions to optimise energy production, distribution and consumption. The results of the cooperation are expected to bring benefits to consumers in the near future.

Helen offers researchers and thesis writers the opportunity to explore practical problems in the operating environment of the energy sector. Aalto University brings its extensive expertise in the development and use of AI methods. The purpose of the cooperation is to seek mutual development of expertise.

"It is important for Helen to be a pioneer in the digitalisation of the energy system. Artificial intelligence offers new opportunities for optimising energy production and consumption, which is essential for the realisation of the green transition. With this cooperation, we are driving the energy systems of both Helen and the entire country towards a more efficient and sustainable future. From the customer's point of view, this translates not only into the most functional energy distribution in the world, but also competitive prices," says Tuomas Teuri, SVP, Digital Solutions at Helen.

"Aalto University and its House of AI, a centre bringing together AI research and the various disciplines of the university, offer strong, academic input to the project. The development of the energy system offers many interesting research problems, and the subject area enables quick links between the development of methods and their application. Examining the questions of the energy sector is a good example of how advanced computing methods and artificial intelligence technologies can be used in solving sustainability challenges," says Professor Heikki Mannila from the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University.

The cooperation is expected to bring new innovations that also support national efforts to strengthen Finland's position as a pioneer in technology.