Research interests

Emile’s research interest is in the role of simulation modelling, in particular agent-based modelling on the domain of energy systems. In his research, Emile connects developments in modelling methodology to an understanding of complex socio-technical energy systems in order to better understand how to model, analyse and design (parts) of the energy transition. His primary interests are to unravel the possible long-term dynamics of energy systems and how they are shaped by energy policies, and in contributing to the modelling methods that address important academic and societal questions in this area.

Projects

• TPM Energy Transition Lab
  Emile is co-director of the TPM Energy Transition Lab, an experimental lab with the ambition to perform innovative and interdisciplinary research on the development of new approaches, methods and tools for fostering an effective, fair, legitimate energy transition. From various perspectives and with various (multi)methods, TPM Energy Transition Lab studies behavior in and design of the energy transition.
• SPR Change
  RIVM funded project aCtionable Hotspot identificAtion and impact iNteGration for the Energy.
• Align4Energy 
  NWO-funded project that combines digital citizen engagement and personalized behavioral interventions to enable system-optimal clean energy investments at scale. This is part of the Nederlandse Wetenschapsagenda (Dutch National Science Agenda).
• Emergent Behaviour in the Energy Transition
  RVO funded project in cooperation with Topsector Energy, outlining the state of the art and a research agenda on the topic of emergent behaviour. There are substantial opportunities to better develop, study and integrate concepts from complex systems and energy systems research and modelling into decision-making processes for the energy transition, in the areas of 1) behavioural theory and modelling of the energy transition, 2) anticipating emergent behaviour to scale up the energy transition, 3) developing transition narratives, and 4) embracing key/change agents and emergent leadership.
• Y-factor
  The Y-factor for climate abatement. With an interactive tool, the Y-factor visualizes a variety of factors influencing why abatement options are or are not realized. Popular carbon abatement options are scored on 12 factors, spread across 4 categories: 1) costs and financials, 2) multi-actor complexity, 3) physical interdependencies, and 4) behaviour.
• SIAM
  In this interdisciplinary project aims to bridge and formalize the Social Identity Approach (SIA) for the use in agent-based models (Social Simulation). This enables innovatively studies of human behaviour in and between groups is.
• Cheetah
  The EU H2020 project Changing Energy Efficiency Technology Adoption in Households provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of policies such as energy labels or subsidies for the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in households, relying on representative choice experiments in eight EU countries. In this project choice models are integrated with agent-based models using an 8-country survey on adoption of various energy appliances.
• EMLab
  The Energy Modelling Laboratory (EMLab) of the TU Delft is a node in a network of open source projects, initiated in the TU Delft. EMLab is a platform for open open source, multi-tool, multi-model, multi-level energy modelling. A key focus is the work on EMLab-Generation, an agent-based model on energy investments.
• Electricity market game
• FutureChargingProject 
• NWO VIDI Resilience, together with Aashis Joshi & Neelke Doorn
  This project focuses on the resilience of cities and communities, especially in relation to climate change. Policy aimed at strengthening the resilience of cities or communities often involves new roles or responsibilities for citizens.
• Capturing the societal value of smart energy systems 
  Smart grid technologies are considered to be important enablers in the transition to a more sustainable electricity system, as they facilitate the growing deployment of, among others, renewable energies. However, there are serious ethical concerns related to their use, concerning privacy, security, reliability, or affordability. To address these ethical concerns and avoid conflicts during implementation, there is a strong urgency to take moral values into account when designing smart grid technologies.
• Port decarbonization, Decarbonization Pathways for the Industrial Cluster of the Port of Rotterdam.
• KfC INCAH, Knowledge for Climate – Infrastructure Networks Climate Adaptation and Hotspots.
• EDGaR
  Energy Delta Gas Research – Understanding gas sector intra- and inter-market interactions
• Climate policy instruments in the Netherlands.

Academic background

Emile holds a PhD (2011) from Delft University of Technology, Delft on Simulating Energy Transitions (see http://chappin.com/ChappinEJL-PhDthesis.pdf). Emile has a BSc (2004) and MSc (2006) degree in Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis and Management, specialising in energy and industry, both from Delft University of Technology.