Erwin Karsten is a research consultant at Technopolis Group, based in Amsterdam. He holds master’s degrees in Economics and Finance with a specific focus on the regulation of energy markets and has a strong background in quantitative analytical approaches using (econometric) models. Additionally, he has extensive experience with cost-benefit analyses, economic impact assessments, project evaluations, benchmarking, portfolio analyses, in-depth desk research and interviews.
His focus areas are the green and circular economy and the field of sustainable development. His work in the green and circular economy space, for example, involved assessing why the SDE+ (and its successor SDE++), the most important Dutch subsidy program for stimulating sustainable energy, suffers from under-utilisation of available funds. Additionally, his work involved providing technical assistance on a possible decarbonisation strategy of the Black Sea Trade Development Bank, possible avenues of transition in the bio-based and circular economy in South-Holland and a review of the public consultation for a possible revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and effort sharing regulation (ESR).
In addition to his work for Technopolis, he is a PhD candidate at Radboud University Nijmegen, specializing in challenge-oriented innovation. His research focuses on how the environmental and social performance of firms influences financial performance, In order to generate new insights into what drives the private sector to contribute to sustainable development (such as in the Sustainable Development Goals framework). Prior to joining Technopolis, Erwin worked as an analyst at a network utility company to explore different scenarios for the future of the Dutch electricity market. This tied in with his master’s thesis on subsidies for renewable energy, which has recently been published. Moreover, at “De Kleine Consultant” he gained valuable experience by evaluating the potential for a preventative as opposed to a curative health care market in the Netherlands, managed a project focused on strategy and organizational effectiveness, and served as director responsible for acquisition and business development. Additional work experience includes a research project for a Dutch bank into opportunities generated by an ageing population in China. This included field work in both Chengdu and Shanghai, and the results have been presented at the consulate-general of the Dutch embassy in Shanghai. Erwin is fluent in English and a native Dutch speaker.
