Our research is based on a broad system perspective, where energy technology, innovation, and policy are linked to sustainable development. Our perspective is global, and we collaborate with many countries and world organizations, some of which are IEA, UNDESA, UNESCAP, FAO, World Bank and SIDA.
Research areas
Energy Access and Development
How can we meet the energy needs of the poorest at a price they can afford? How can we achieve SDG7?
How can we enable sustainability transitions to low and zero carbon societies through a circular economy approach? How can we close loops in the technosphere and the biosphere? What are the potential synergies and trade-offs in practice? What are the appropriate indicators to assess circularity and associated implications for sustainability?
What is the role of innovation in unlocking technological change in energy systems? How do innovations at the system level compare to individual technologies? The focus ranges from cities and transportation systems to national and continental energy systems.
How do we build capacity effectively? What is the best way to train government officials in the use of dES tools? How should we communicate findings from complex models? How can we use stakeholder knowledge?
Integrated Climate, Land, Energy and Water Systems
How do we plan and design systems which are better than their constituent parts? How do we take advantage of synergies, navigate trade-offs and avoid path-dependent traps?