Lykke Friis, the former Danish Minister of Energy, has joined the Board of Directors of Blue World Technologies.
Lykke Friis, the former Danish Minister of Climate, Energy, and Gender Equality, was elected to the Board of Directors of Blue World Technologies at an extraordinary general assembly, where she will support the company’s journey toward providing a strong green alternative to combustion engines and diesel generators for industries around the world.
“We are very pleased to announce that Lykke Friis has entered our Board of Directors. We have for some time now been in contact with her, as we see her profile as the perfect match for a board position at Blue World Technologies, and we are very much looking forward to our collaboration.”
Blue World Technologies board member Anders Korsgaard.
Lykke Friis is a PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Copenhagen. The same university where she eventually served as prorector for two terms. She also has a Master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. Following her studies, she was hired as a Senior Researcher and later as the Head of Research at the Danish Institute for International Affairs. In 2003, she was appointed Director for European Affairs at the Danish Confederation of Industries (DI).
Lykke Friis has used her skills and experience to make a difference for companies and organizations through board and honorary work for more than two decades. To name a few: Chairman of the Board of Directors at House of Energy in 2019, Vestas A/S Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018, Rockwool Foundation Board of Directors since 2014, member of the European Council of Foreign Relations since 2011 and Co-chair since 2019, and President of the Danish Cancer Society since 2016. She is currently the Director of the Copenhagen-based Think Tank EUROPA.
“With Lykke Friis’ political background and knowledge within climate and energy combined with an international outlook, Lykke Friis possesses experience and know-how that undoubtedly will benefit Blue World as a major fuel cell developer and manufacturer in playing a significant role in the global green energy transition”
John Butt, Chairman of the Board of Blue World Technologies.
Denmark has been investing in methanol fuel cell technology research and development for decades. However, industrialization of the technology is the solution to successfully getting the technology to a commercial level where it can compete with conventional technologies on both technical parameters and cost. As a result, Blue World Technologies is now erecting manufacturing equipment for a major methanol fuel cell production facility in Aalborg, with pre-series production likely to begin within the next several months. Blue World Technologies thus spans the entire product development value chain, from research and development with strong relationships with major institutes and universities throughout the world to large-scale manufacture of fuel cell components and systems. Lykke Friis has been attracted by this technique since she was initially introduced to Blue World Technologies two years ago:
Blue World Technologies plans to continue ramping up manufacturing, with the goal of reaching a full-scale commercial production capacity of 50,000 fuel cell units per year over the next three years. Blue World Technologies took the first step toward establishing an independent and professional board of directors in late December 2020. At the time, John Butt was elected to the board, and he was chosen Chairman at the following board meeting.
John Butt, Founding General Partner at Conduit Ventures, joined the Blue World Technologies Board of Directors with more than 35 years of experience in strategic planning, operations, and business development, as well as critical capabilities in clean energy, hydrogen, and fuel cells investments.
Lykke Friis will take over a seat on the board from Le Wei, who has served on the board as a shareholder representative, as part of the company’s corporate governance strategy.