The first stage of the Nordic Energy Challenge 2025 is concluded, with three candidates advancing to the final. Meet Cecilia Wallmark and Jim Allansson, one of the finalist teams competing for the first place. How does their idea support the theme of this year – Nordic equality?

Jim Allansson and Cecilia Wallmark, Head of the CH2ESS Network for Young Scientists and Director of CH2ESS at Luleå University.

  • Names: Cecilia Wallmark and Jim Allansson
  • Positions: Director of CH2ESS – Centre for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden – and Head of the CH2ESS Network for Young Scientists (NYS) at LTU.
  • Institution: Luleå University of Technology (LTU), Sweden
  • Name of idea: Finding your CH2ESS mate, matchmaking our competences in the energy transition and hydrogen implementation with our companies in the Northern Nordics
  • Summary of idea: In the Nordic region we have seen a trend of graduating PhD students and master students leaving for jobs in other locations. For PhD students in particular it is quite common that they even leave for other countries, even though they would have liked to stay. We believe that this is partly due to a lack of connection between the students and the companies establishing in the north. Our idea is to have a matchmaking event where the industry meets with highly specialised individuals to further strengthen the bonds between academia and industry.  In summary, we plan to arrange a special hydrogen-related event with the purpose to actively form contacts between the companies and other stakeholders in need of people, with students and scientists at the universities in the Northern Nordics. The activity will include innovative matchmaking activities, from which the best ideas also will be spread to other universities.

On 12 August at 09.00, the winner of this year’s Nordic Energy Challenge will be presented at Arendalsuka, the Norwegian democracy festival. During Nordic Energy Research’s event Likestilling i energisektoren. Innovasjon for en inkluderende energiframtid – Arendalsuka, there will be an award ceremony announcing first, second, and third place.