MS office
Thomas Alfstad
Adviser For Sustainable Development Strategies
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Highly motivated professional with over 20 years' experience in energy and environmental analysis and policy seeking new challenges and opportunities.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Adviser for Sustainable Development Strategies
United Nations
07.2017 - Current
- Managed capacity development projects to support integrated climate, land, energy and water policy analysis in developing countries
- Conducted advisory missions, workshops and other activities to support planning and policy for sustainable development in 20 countries.
- Engaged with high-level Government officials, managers and technical staff at government ministries and agencies.
- Designed and secured funding for 4 multi-year projects as well as 10 smaller projects.
- Hired and supervised project staff
- Led development of analytic tools for integrated climate, land, energy and water policy analysis, including online platforms and user interfaces.
- Participated in international conferences, workshops and other fora
- Published papers on sustainable development issues
- Managed partnerships with international organizations, country counterparts and research partners
Energy Systems Analyst
International Atomic Energy Agency
10.2011 - 06.2017
- Project lead for Climate, Land, Energy and Water (CLEW) initiative to develop an integrated approach to assess energy, food, water and climate security and policy. Led 3-year coordinated research project to apply CLEWs in 7 countries.
- Supported capacity development energy planning and policy and provided assistance to Member States with energy policy and project evaluation.
- Designed and organized workshop on financing and financial risk management in large power projects.
- Authored/contributed to publications on energy, environment and sustainable development.
- Organized and participated in international conferences, meetings and workshops.
Energy Research Engineer
Brookhaven National Laboratory
05.2006 - 09.2011
- Delivered analysis of US federal energy and environmental policy.
- Clients included the US Department of Energy, White House and Environmental Protection Agency.
- Worked on short turnaround projects with tight deadlines, as well as longer term initiatives.
- Led or participated in analysis of climate bills introduced in Congress, renewable and clean energy standards, biofuels, federal energy research budgets, energy efficiency in buildings, industry and transportation, hydrogen economy, shale gas, Keystone XL pipeline and more.
- Maintained daily communication with clients and participated in meetings and briefings. Frequently presented work for clients, review committees and at conferences.
- Maintained client relationships and successfully attracted projects and funding. Funding for activities I managed increased more than 3-fold during my tenure.
- Primarily employed quantitative approaches such as the MARKAL/TIMES energy systems modelling tool, Monte Carlo analysis and spreadsheet models.
Research Officer
University Of Cape Town
01.2004 - 02.2006
- Supported contract research for clients in the private sector, government and international organizations.
- Conducted analysis energy policies and measures for sustainable development and co-authored several papers on energy poverty and energy transitions in low income households.
- Member of team that produced the National Integrated Resource Plan.
- Project leader for study of renewable energy targets in South Africa.
- Actively involved in attracting projects and funding.
- Convener of master's level course in energy modelling and supervisor for several MSc students.
Research Assistant (Part-time)
University Of Cape Town
03.2002 - 12.2003
- Supported contract research for clients in the private sector, government and international organizations.
- Developed multi-regional electricity market model for the Southern African region to evaluate trade opportunities and benefits.
- Participated in study on emerging natural gas markets in the South West Africa coastal region.
Education
Master of Science - Energy Studies
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa 02.2002 - 12.2004
Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Norwegian University of Science And Technology
Trondheim, Norway 09.1996 - 12.2001
Skills
- Sustainable development policy
Modelling/quantitative analysis
Climate Change
Energy technology and policy
Project design and management
Partnership development and management
Software
MARKAL/TIMES
MESSAGE
MAED
LEAP
Osemosys
Languages
English (Fluent)
Norwegian (Native)
German (Basic)
Spanish (Basic)
Interests
Sports/outdoor activities
Reading/literature
Food/dining
Timeline
Adviser for Sustainable Development Strategies
United Nations
07.2017 - Current
Energy Systems Analyst
International Atomic Energy Agency
10.2011 - 06.2017
Energy Research Engineer
Brookhaven National Laboratory
05.2006 - 09.2011
Research Officer
University Of Cape Town
01.2004 - 02.2006
Research Assistant (Part-time)
University Of Cape Town
03.2002 - 12.2003
Master of Science - Energy Studies
University of Cape Town
02.2002 - 12.2004
Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Norwegian University of Science And Technology
09.1996 - 12.2001
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