New Head of Department: AAU Energy to lead the way in the collaboration on society's green transition

By David Graff, AAU Kommunikation & Public Affairs

"AAU Energy is known for an international environment with high academic integrity and great societal relevance, where research in the energy solutions of the future is conducted and taught at a leading level. And I think there is potential to set the bar even higher."

The words come from 56-year-old Lars Storm Pedersen, and they describe the department he will be heading from August.

"Throughout my career, I have worked closely with both universities and industry on everything from technological innovation and scaling to strategy, financing and commercialisation – and I think this gives me a good foundation for strengthening both research management, external collaboration at the department and ensuring a socially relevant engineering education," he elaborates.

Dean Jesper Wengel from the Faculty of Engineering and Science sees great potential in bringing Lars Storm Pedersen’s experience into play at AAU Energy and more broadly:

“Lars is a very exciting profile who, among other things, brings a wealth of experience from outside the university. I expect that this will be a great advantage as we, in the coming years, work at the faculty to create even more results in relation to technology development, business collaboration, and innovation. I am very much looking forward to the collaboration.”

Energy is the green focal point

Lars Storm Pedersen points to the role of energy in the green transition as an indicator for the department's future direction.

"AAU Energy already plays a central role in relation to society and industry, and there is a huge potential in strengthening that role in order to create impact within the green transition - both in terms of research profile, external collaboration, and how we position ourselves in relation to society's needs, including with educational programs that continue to match future needs in the energy sector," he explains.

According to Lars Storm Pedersen, the way forward is through strategy.

"I might be able to contribute with technological insight in some areas, but first and foremost I see my task as setting a clear direction, removing barriers, ensuring financial leeway and creating momentum based on strategic management."

The first step is to learn

However, the manual for the department's future development has not been written in advance, Lars Storm Pedersen assures:

"Initially, I am looking forward to getting to know the entire department and creating a common understanding of the foundation we stand on and where we want to go. I am an analytical and curious, but also decisive leader who takes pride in setting the course and making things happen – in the right order and direction."

However, some of the benchmarks are self-explanatory, he believes:  

"In research, it will be important to jointly identify any new areas we should enter to ensure renewal and relevance. And in the field of education, AAU Energy must continuously remain a very attractive choice when young people are choosing an education, Lars Storm Pedersen assesses.

To succeed, it is important, in Lars Storm Pedersen's opinion, to create overview, alignment and trust and to work in a structured way with the involvement of the organization. 

"On this basis, we can bring the great academic excellence at the department into play for the benefit of both students, society and partners," he concludes.

Lars Storm Pedersen lives in Egernsund and is currently in the process of finding an extra apartment in Aalborg. He has three children, aged 22, 20 and 11, respectively.