Published on 10.09.2024
Written by Einari Kisel, FinEst Centre for Smart Cities
The current Head of Strategy and Partnerships at the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities has taken on an exciting new role with important responsibilities this September: Einari Kisel has begun working as a Professor of Practice of Energy Policies.
Einari shared more about his new position, its significance, and how it aligns with his extensive experience as an energy expert.
In my role as a Professor of Practice of Energy Policies, I will support cities and the state in managing the energy sector more efficiently through research and development. This work is based on international science, Tallinn University of Technology’s expertise in energy, construction, IT, and economics, as well as my own practical experience. The role is deeply rooted in the fourth-generation university concept, where, in addition to research and teaching, the university increasingly supports state institutions as a neutral and analytical partner.
Although I defended my doctoral thesis at the Institute of Electrical Power and Mechatronics, I haven’t been very active as a researcher until now.
After graduating, I worked at Eesti Energia, and from 2002-2012, I led the energy department and served as the undersecretary for energy at the Ministry of Economy and Communications. From 2012-2020, I was the Head of the European Region at the World Energy Council in London. During this time, I developed a strong interest in energy policy governance, primarily from a practical perspective.
Currently, alongside my role at the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, I also serve as a member of the audit committee and council of Eesti Energia AS. Over the years, I’ve gained significant experience and practical knowledge in various aspects of energy sector management and governance.
The first step is to secure strong funding for energy policy research and development at the university, with support from Horizon Europe, as well as the state and cities. Interest in such research has already been expressed from multiple stakeholders. We are currently preparing a few project applications, discussing scientific development agreements with state institutions and cities, and exploring business partnerships.
A lot of groundwork has already been laid, as several institutes across various faculties have worked on individual energy policy topics, and I will be relying on their support in my work. An interdisciplinary energy policy unit has emerged through EnForCe, TalTech’s Center of Excellence for Future Energy. Moreover, the FinEst Centre provides both inspiration and a model in terms of structure and scale.
Once the core funding is secured, we’ll be able to organize various collaboration formats involving TalTech institutes, ministries, companies, foreign universities, and the third sector.
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