Director appointed for Electric Mobility Research Center in Lahti

The new research director of the Kempower Electric Mobility Research Center (EMRC) is Ville Naumanen. The launch of the EMRC will take place at the New trends of elect­ri­fication event in Lahti on 28 November 2023.

Last June, LUT University and Kempower launched extensive colla­boration in the field of electric mobility. As a result, a new research center has now opened on LUT’s campus in Lahti, Southern Finland. The center’s operation will officially begin when the EMRC’s newly appointed research director Ville Naumanen starts on Monday 13 November.

“I am excited to be able to strengthen the cooperation between Kempower and LUT and to take part in the elect­ro­mobility competence cluster that has already gained significant momentum. As EMRC is built right at the core of this competence cluster, it offers me an exciting vantage point over science, education, industry needs and markets around elect­ro­mobility. I’m looking forward to leaving my mark on a better and cleaner future with Finland’s best experts and profes­sionals. We will create something new,” Naumanen says.

The hire was based on the candidate's vision and leadership competences in both industry and academia. The ability to recognize oppor­tunities to match industrial needs with a multi-disciplinary academic offering was especially important, because the new research center aims to strengthen research on electric trans­portation and to develop education to meet a wide range of future industry needs. 

“We wanted the EMRC to be run by a visionary leader who understands the center’s potential and is truly excited about it. Building new ways of cooperating is rather conceptual at the beginning, so this task requires an ability to turn ideas into operations,” outlines LUT University’s Chief Growth Officer Petri Ajo.   

Kempower pushes the Lahti region towards the global elite in electric trans­portation

Kempower is one of the leading providers of DC fast charging solutions for electric vehicles. The EMRC is essential for Kempower’s continuous product development and research, and it supports the company’s growth strategy to meet the growing demand for reliable EV fast charging solutions. 

“Research and product development have been at the heart of Kempower since the company was established in 2018, and the new research center marks a significant milestone in the company’s RDI activities. The center signifies Kempower's commitment to staying at the forefront of our industry. With our unique data from the field and LUT University’s resources, we will be able to envision EV drivers’ future needs and continue to offer reliable and user-friendly EV charging solutions for everyone and everywhere,” says Kempower’s Chief Technology Officer Mikko Veikkolainen.

The new research center is a central part of Lahti GEM (Green Elect­ri­fication of Mobility Cluster). Lahti GEM is a platform for companies, research and education organi­sations, and cities. The EMRC plays an important role in developing electric trans­portation research in Lahti. 

”In the past few years, Lahti GEM has grown to be an active colla­boration platform of over 40 actors. We want to concentrate on the growth and inter­na­tio­na­lization of the cluster companies’ business, especially with development projects and pilots. We have colla­borated closely with the region’s higher education organizations and schools. For us, it’s extremely important to promote new initiatives in electric transport research, education and R&D,” explains Pekka Komu, the head of Lahti GEM and business development manager at Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd. 

”In Lahti, the just-opened EMRC is a good example of colla­boration where the cluster’s actors, Kempower and LUT University, have found each other and boldly started to build something new. Initiatives like this help Lahti to set an example in municipal electric trans­portation,” Komu continues. 
The EMRC cuts across the boundaries of almost all of LUT University’s fields of specia­lization – from technology and business to social and commu­nication sciences. The LAB University of Applied Sciences is also strongly involved in the colla­boration. 

“The research center represents a whole new way of colla­borating with companies. In addition to the agile and rapidly growing Kempower, LUT and LAB are happy to help other companies in the region to build future success,” Ajo continues. 

New trends of elect­ri­fication event

28 November 2023 from 13.00 to 19.00 in Malski’s Sammiosali, (Päijänteenkatu 9, Lahti).

• The event is free of charge, open to all and held in English.
• At the event, you will hear about new trends in the elect­ri­fication of mobility and celebrate the launch of the Electric Mobility Research Center EMRC. 
• Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen will give the key-note speech.  
• Other speakers include Tomi Ristimäki, CEO of Kempower Oyj, Juha-Matti Saksa, rector of LUT University, Lassi Aarniovuori, professor of electric trans­portation and Teresa Kemppi-Vasama, chair of the board of LUT University.
• The program will be sent to all participants in advance. 
• The event is organized by LUT Universities (LUT and LAB), Kempower and Lahti Region Development LADEC.
• Ensure your place and register: https://sway.office.com/XUAR7VD3xMxi9Um9?ref=Link

Current trends of elect­ri­fication

At the event, we will discuss topics such as: 

•    The elect­ri­fication of heavy vehicle traffic and logistics 
•    Infra­structure for EV charging: charging fields and hubs
•    Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G
•    Smart energy management and utilization of data 
•    National and inter­national possi­bilities for the Lahti GEM cluster 

More information: 

Petri Ajo, chief growth officer, LUT University, 050 473 6668, petri.ajo@lut.fi
Petra Toivanen, commu­nications manager, Kempower, +358 29 0021900, petra.toivanen@kempower.com  
Pekka Komu, business development manager, Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd, 040 741 3299, pekka.komu@ladec.fi

LUT University

Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our inter­national community consists of nearly 8 000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the top universities in the world for climate action. lut.fi/en

Kempower in brief

We design and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to create the world’s most desired EV charging solutions for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland, with the majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of e-mobility, from electric cars, trucks, and buses to machines and marine. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software are designed by EV drivers for EV drivers, enabling the best user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed in the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. www.kempower.com

Lahti GEM – Green Elect­ri­fication of Mobility Cluster

Lahti GEM – Green Elect­ri­fication of Mobility Cluster – is a platform for companies, research and education organi­sations as well as cities. The platform is established to generate and maintain cooperation for developing and commercialising technologies and solutions for the cleaner future of mobility. Lahti GEM cooperation platform is coordinated by Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd. www.lahtigem.fi 

The event is organized as a part of the project GLOBAL GEM, funded by the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme and the Regional Support for Sustainable Growth and Vitality (AKKE).