Auke Hoekstra is founder and director of the NEON research program, that has the aim of accelerating the transition to zero emission energy and mobility. His research focusses on the design of interactive multi-level agent-based digital twins that can capture and interactively represent complex adaptive social-technical systems. He’s applying these models to policymaking in the domains of low carbon energy, electric mobility, meat replacements and precision agriculture. His domain expertise is on: the CO2 emissions and charging infrastructure of electric cars and trucks; learning curves of solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles; and interactive models for policy makers.

My goal is to make the Eindhoven University of Technology an important contributor to human flourishing in harmony with nature, especially regarding climate, energy, mobility, and food.

Auke is in the process of finishing his PhD on agent-based digital twins that can accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, but he has already created a program (with 35 PhD positions), multiple projects and a company that do the same. Auke wants research to be impact-oriented and hopes his efforts will make the knowledge at scientific institutions (especially the Eindhoven University of Technology) more actionable towards solving the grand challenges facing humanity. Auke is a well-known advocate for electric vehicles and solar energy, especially on twitter where he’s called “debunker in chief”. He has given many invited keynote speeches, including at the EVS 35 conference in Oslo. He holds an MSc in public administration from Twente University.