Dr. Tom Kober

Group Leader
Forschungsstrasse 111
5232 Villigen PSI
Suisse
Since 2016, Tom leads the Energy Economics Group of the Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis at PSI. He has gained expertise in energy technology and energy policy through his research in the field of integrated energy systems modelling over more than 12 years. As scientist at PSI, and before at the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) and at the Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER), he was involved in numerous international research projects. Tom’s current research interests concern Swiss and international strategies for sustainable energy systems and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. This includes the analysis of the interplay of energy supply and demand, and the systemic analysis of technologies for sector coupling and energy storage. He is involved in the research connected to several Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research and to the Swiss Office of Energy, as well as research provided to the European Commission and the World Energy Council. Tom studied industrial engineering and management at Dresden University of Technology and holds a PhD from University of Stuttgart.
Academic qualifications
Dr.-Ing. | Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER), University of Stuttgart, Germany |
Dipl.-Wi.-Ing. | Dresden University of Technology, Germany |
Previous Affiliations
2012 - 2016 | Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) | ECN |
2005 - 2011 | IER (University of Stuttgart), Germany | IER |
Publications
-
Obrist MD, Kannan R, McKenna R, Schmidt TJ, Kober T
High-temperature heat pumps in climate pathways for selected industry sectors in Switzerland
Energy Policy. 2023; 173: 113383 (20 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113383
DORA PSI -
Panos E, Kannan R, Hirschberg S, Kober T
An assessment of energy system transformation pathways to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions in Switzerland
Communications Earth & Environment. 2023; 4(1): 157 (18 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00813-6
DORA PSI -
Stermieri L, Kober T, Schmidt TJ, McKenna R, Panos E
"Quantifying the implications of behavioral changes induced by digitalization on energy transition: a systematic review of methodological approaches"
Energy Research and Social Science. 2023; 97: 102961 (19 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.102961
DORA PSI -
Wan Y, Kober T, Schildhauer T, Schmidt TJ, McKenna R, Densing M
Conditions for profitable operation of P2X energy hubs to meet local demand under to with energy market access
Advances in Applied Energy. 2023; 10: 100127 (16 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adapen.2023.100127
DORA PSI -
Kannan R, Panos E, Hirschberg S, Kober T
A net‐zero Swiss energy system by 2050: technological and policy options for the transition of the transportation sector
Futures & Foresight Science. 2022; 4(3-4): e126 (22 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1002/ffo2.126
DORA PSI -
Luh S, Kannan R, Schmidt TJ, Kober T
Behavior matters: a systematic review of representing consumer mobility choices in energy models
Energy Research and Social Science. 2022; 90: 102596 (23 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102596
DORA PSI -
Obrist MD, Kannan R, Schmidt TJ, Kober T
Long-term energy efficiency and decarbonization trajectories for the Swiss pulp and paper industry
Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2022; 52: 101937 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.101937
DORA PSI -
Wan Y, Kober T, Densing M
Nonlinear inverse demand curves in electricity market modeling
Energy Economics. 2022; 107: 105809 (9 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2022.105809
DORA PSI -
Obrist MD, Kannan R, Schmidt TJ, Kober T
Decarbonization pathways of the Swiss cement industry towards net zero emissions
Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021; 288: 125413 (13 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125413
DORA PSI -
Panos E, Kober T, Ramachandran K, Hirschberg S, Bauer C, Schildhauer T, et al.
Transformation of the Swiss energy system for a net-zero greenhouse gas emission society. Results from the joint activity scenarios & modelling
Zurich: ETH Zurich; 2021.
DORA PSI -
Schneider SF, Novák P, Kober T
Rechargeable batteries for simultaneous demand peak shaving and price arbitrage business
IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy. 2021; 12(1): 148-157. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSTE.2020.2988205
DORA PSI -
Engström RE, Fuso-Nerini F, Cassen C, Luh S, Viguié V, Kober T, et al.
Research and innovation needs to decarbonise European cities
sine loco: Dialogue on European Decarbonisation Strategies (DEEDS); 2020.
DORA PSI -
Kober T, Schiffer H-W, Densing M, Panos E
Global energy perspectives to 2060 - WEC's World Energy Scenarios 2019
Energy Strategy Reviews. 2020; 31: 100523 (19 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2020.100523
DORA PSI -
Kober T, Kannan R, Pietzcker R, Deane P, Fuso-Nerini F
Research and innovation needs for clean energy supply
sine loco: Dialogue on European Decarbonisation Strategies (DEEDS); 2020.
DORA PSI -
Kober T, Kannan R, Obrist M, Panos E, Heald S, Clements L, et al.
Swiss industry: price elasticities and demand developments for electricity and gas (SWIDEM)
Bern: Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE; 2020.
DORA PSI -
Levesque A, Pietzcker R, Rodrigues R, Bauer C, Kober T, Kolp P
DEEDS knowledge base
sine loco: Dialogue on European Decarbonisation Strategies (DEEDS); 2020.
DORA PSI -
O'Malley MJ, Anwar MB, Heinen S, Kober T, McCalley J, McPherson M, et al.
Multicarrier energy systems: shaping our energy future
Proceedings of the IEEE. 2020; 108(9): 1437-1456. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2020.2992251
DORA PSI -
Arango-Aramburo S, Turner SWD, Daenzer K, Ríos-Ocampo JP, Hejazi MI, Kober T, et al.
Climate impacts on hydropower in Colombia: a multi-model assessment of power sector adaptation pathways
Energy Policy. 2019; 128: 179-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.12.057
DORA PSI -
Bach C, Beuse M, Georges G, Held M, Heselhaus S, Korba P, et al.
Perspectives des technologies "Power-to-X" en Suisse. Livre blanc
2nd ed. (Kober T, Bauer C, eds.). Villigen PSI, Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI); 2019. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000352297
DORA PSI -
Bach C, Beuse M, Georges G, Held M, Heselhaus S, Korba P, et al.
Perspectives of power-to-X technologies in Switzerland. A white paper
2nd ed. (Kober T, Bauer C, eds.). Villigen PSI, Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI); 2019. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000352294
DORA PSI -
Bach C, Beuse M, Georges G, Held M, Heselhaus S, Korba P, et al.
Power-to-X: Perspektiven in der Schweiz
2nd ed. (Kober T, Bauer C, eds.). Villigen PSI, Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI); 2019. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000525806
DORA PSI -
Panos E, Kober T, Wokaun A
Long term evaluation of electric storage technologies vs alternative flexibility options for the Swiss energy system
Applied Energy. 2019; 252: 113470 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113470
DORA PSI -
Ripin N, Boudet J, Duszczyk MM, Hinniger A, Faller M, Krepl M, et al.
Molecular basis for AU-rich element recognition and dimerization by the HuR C-terminal RRM
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America PNAS. 2019; 116(8): 2935-2944. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1808696116
DORA PSI -
Ruiz P, Nijs W, Tarvydas D, Sgobbi A, Zucker A, Pilli R, et al.
ENSPRESO - an open, EU-28 wide, transparent and coherent database of wind, solar and biomass energy potentials
Energy Strategy Reviews. 2019; 26: 100379 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2019.100379
DORA PSI -
Suleimenov B, Suomalainen K, Kober T
TIMES-NZ - an integrated energy systems model for New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand: BusinessNZ Energy Council; 2019.
DORA PSI -
van der Zwaan B, Halstead M, Kober T
Water stress implications of energy scenarios for the Middle East: an assessment of risks and uncertainties
In: Doukas H, Flamos A, Lieu J, eds. Understanding risks and uncertainties in energy and climate policy. Multidisciplinary methods and tools for a low carbon society. Cham: Springer; 2019:143-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03152-7_6
DORA PSI -
Dalla Longa F, Strikkers T, Kober T, van der Zwaan B
Advancing energy access modelling with Geographic Information System data
Environmental Modeling and Assessment. 2018; 23(6): 627-637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-018-9627-1
DORA PSI -
Densing M, Kannan R, Panos E, Kober T
Long term role of Swiss hydropower from an energy systems and market perspective. Zukunftspotenzial der Schweizer Wasserkraft durch Synergien im Energiesystem und Markt Perspektiven
Villigen PSI, Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institute; 2018.
DORA PSI -
Friedl M, Kober T, Ramachandran K, Mühlethaler J
Fokusstudie "Saisonale Flexibilisierung einer nachhaltigen Energieversorgung der Schweiz"
Rapperswil; Villigen PSI: Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil (HSR); Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI); 2018.
DORA PSI -
Kober T, Panos E, Volkart K
Energy system challenges of deep global CO2 emissions reduction under the World Energy Council’s scenario framework
In: Giannakidis G, Karlsson K, Labriet M, Ó Gallachóir B, eds. Limiting global warming to well below 2 °C: energy system modelling and policy development. Lecture notes in energy. Cham: Springer; 2018:17-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74424-7_2
DORA PSI -
Lucena AFP, Hejazi M, Vasquez-Arroyo E, Turner S, Köberle AC, Daenzer K, et al.
Interactions between climate change mitigation and adaptation: the case of hydropower in Brazil
Energy. 2018; 164: 1161-1177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.09.005
DORA PSI -
Schiffer H-W, Kober T, Panos E
World Energy Council’s global energy scenarios to 2060
Zeitschrift für Energiewirtschaft. 2018; 42(2): 91-102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12398-018-0225-3
DORA PSI -
Shivakumar A, Pye S, Anjo J, Miller M, Rouelle PB, Densing M, et al.
Smart energy solutions in the EU: state of play and measuring progress
Energy Strategy Reviews. 2018; 20: 133-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2018.02.005
DORA PSI -
van der Zwaan B, Kober T, Dalla Longa F, van der Laan A, Kramer GJ
An integrated assessment of pathways for low-carbon development in Africa
Energy Policy. 2018; 117: 387-395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.017
DORA PSI -
Arias-Gaviria J, van der Zwaan B, Kober T, Arango-Aramburo S
The prospects for small hydropower in Colombia
Renewable Energy. 2017; 107: 204-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.01.054
DORA PSI -
Panos E, Kober T, Kannan R
Die Bedeutung von Flexibilitätsoptionen und Netzen für die langfristige Entwicklung des schweizer Elektrizitätssystems
In: 12. VDI-Fachtagung Optimierung in der Energiewirtschaft. Vol. 2303. VDI-Berichte. Düsseldorf: VDI Verlag GmbH; 2017:47-60.
DORA PSI -
Shivakumar A, Anjo J, Miller M, Pye S, Boutinard Rouelle P, Densing M, et al.
Smart energy solutions in the EU: state of play and measuring progress
sine loco: INSIGHT_E; 2017. Policy report: 10. http://www.insightenergy.org/system/publication_files/files/000/000/068/original/INSIGHT_E_PR_SES_30-01-2017.pdf.
DORA PSI -
Jewell J, Vinichenko V, McCollum D, Bauer N, Riahi K, Aboumahboub T, et al.
Comparison and interactions between the long-term pursuit of energy independence and climate policies
Nature Energy. 2016; 1(6): 16073 (9 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2016.73
DORA PSI -
Shivakumar A, Faure A, Normark B, Gupta S, Kober T, Bauer C, et al.
Electricity storage in a redesigned market
sine loco: Insight_E; 2016. http://www.insightenergy.org/static_pages/publications#?publication=45.
DORA PSI -
Glynn J, Fortes P, Krook-Riekkola A, Labriet M, Vielle M, Kypreos S, et al.
Economic impacts of future changes in the energy system - global perspectives
In: Giannakidis G, Labriet M, Gallachóir BÓ, Tosato GC, eds. Informing energy and climate policies using energy systems models. Insights from scenario analysis increasing the evidence base. Lecture notes in energy. Cham: Springer; 2015:333-358. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16540-0_19
DORA PSI -
Glynn J, Fortes P, Krook-Riekkola A, Labriet M, Vielle M, Kypreos S, et al.
Economic impacts of future changes in the energy system - national perspectives
In: Giannakidis G, Labriet M, Gallachóir BÓ, Tosato GC, eds. Informing energy and climate policies using energy systems models. Insights from scenario analysis increasing the evidence base. Lecture notes in energy. Cham: Springer; 2015:359-387. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16540-0_20
DORA PSI -
Hippe K, Kober F, Baur H, Ruff M, Wacker L, Wieler R
The current performance of the in situ 14C extraction line at ETH
Quaternary Geochronology. 2009; 4(6): 493-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2009.06.001
DORA PSI -
Kober F, Ivy-Ochs S, Leya I, Baur H, Magna T, Wieler R, et al.
In situ cosmogenic 10Be and 21Ne in sanidine and in situ cosmogenic 3He in Fe-Ti-oxide minerals
Earth and Planetary Sciences Letters. 2005; 236(1-2): 404-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2005.05.020
DORA PSI -
Fuchs A, Demiray T, Evangelos P, Kannan R, Kober T, Bauer C, et al.
ISCHESS - integration of stochastic renewables in the Swiss electricity supply system
sine loco: sine nomine; 2016.
DORA PSI
Peer Reviewed Articles and Book Chapters
Arango-Aramburo, S., Turner, S., Daenzer, K., Ríos-Ocampo, J., Hejazi, S., Kober, T., Álvarez-Espinosa, A., Romero-Otalora, G., van der Zwaan, B., (2019). Climate impacts on hydropower in Colombia: A multi-model assessment of power sector adaptation pathways, Energy Policy, Vol. 128, pp. p.179-188, DOI:10.1016/j.enpol.2018.12.057
Lucena, A., Hejaz, M., Vasquez-Arroyo, E., Turner, S., Köberle, A.C., Daenzer, K., Rochedo P.R.R., Kober, T., Cai, Y., Beach R.H., Gernaat D., van Vuuren, D., van der Zwaan, B. (2018). Interactions between climate change mitigation and adaptation: The case of hydropower in Brazil, Energy, Vol. 164, pp. p.1161-1177, doi:10.1016/j.energy.2018.09.005
Dalla, F., Strikkers L., Kober T., van der Zwaan, B. (2018). Advancing Energy Access Modelling with Geographic Information System Data, Environmental Modeling & Assessment, pp. p.1-11, doi:10.1007/s10666-018-9627-1
Schiffer, HW., Kober, T., Panos, E. (2018). World Energy Council’s Global Energy Scenarios to 2060, Zeitschrift für Energiewirtschaft, Vol. p.1-12, pp. doi.org/10.1007/s12398-018-0225-3
Kober, T., Panos, E., Volkart K. (2018). Energy system challenges of deep global CO2 emissions reduction under the World Energy Council’s scenario framework, In Giannakidis G., K. Karlsson, M. Labriet, B. Ó Gallachóir (eds.) Limiting Global Warming to Well Below 2°C: Energy System Modelling and Policy Development, p. 17-31
van der Zwaan, B., Halstead, M., Kober, T. (2018). Water Stress Implications of Energy Scenarios for the Middle East: an Assessment of Risks and Uncertainties, In TRANSrisk Special Edition in Springer “Understanding risks and uncertainties in energy and climate policy: Multidisciplinary methods and tools towards a low carbon society”, Vol. Downland, pp. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-03152-7_6
van der Zwaan, B., Kober, T. Longa, F.D., van der Laan, A., Kramer G.J., (2018). An Integrated Assessment of Pathways for Low-Carbon Development in Africa, Energy Policy, Vol. 117, pp. 387-395, doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.017
Arias-Gaviria, J., van der Zwaan, B., Kober, T., Arango-Aramburo, S. (2017). The prospects for Small Hydropower in Colombia, Renewable Energy, Vol. 107, pp. 204-214, DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.01.054
Jewell, J., Vinichenko, V., McCollum, D., Bauer, N., Riahi, K., Aboumahboub, T., Fricko, O., Harmsen, M., Kober, T., Krey, V., Marangoni, G., Tavoni, M., van Vuuren, D., van der Zwaan, B., Cherp, A. (2016). Comparison and interactions between the long-term pursuit of energy independence and climate policies, Nature Energy, Vol. Vol. 1, pp. Article number: 16073, DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2016.73
James Glynn, Patrícia Fortes, Anna Krook-Riekkola, Maryse Labriet, Marc Vielle, Socrates Kypreos, Antti Lehtilä, Peggy Mischke, Hancheng Dai, Maurizio Gargiulo, Per Ivar Helgesen, Tom Kober, Phil Summerton, Bruno Merven, Sadrine Selosen, Kenneth Karlsson, Neil Strachan, and Brian Ó Gallachóir (2015). Economic Impacts of Future Changes in the Energy System – Global Perspectives, In Giannakidis, G., Labriet, M., Ó Gallachóir, B., Tosato, G (eds.) Informing Energy and Climate Policies Using Energy Systems Models - Insights from Scenario Analysis Increasing the Evidence Base, Vol. 30, pp. 333-358, Springer ISBN 978-3-319-16540-0
James Glynn, Patrícia Fortes, Anna Krook-Riekkola, Maryse Labriet, Marc Vielle, Socrates Kypreos, Antti Lehtilä, Peggy Mischke, Hancheng Dai, Maurizio Gargiulo, Per Ivar Helgesen, Tom Kober, Phil Summerton, Bruno Merven, Sadrine Selosen, Kenneth Karlsson, Neil Strachan, and Brian Ó Gallachóir (2015). Economic Impacts of Future Changes in the Energy System – National Perspectives, In Giannakidis, G., Labriet, M., Ó Gallachóir, B., Tosato, G (eds.) Informing Energy and Climate Policies Using Energy Systems Models - Insights from Scenario Analysis Increasing the Evidence Base, Vol. 30, pp. 359-387, Springer ISBN 978-3-319-16540-0
Technical Reports and Working Papers
Friedl, M., Kober, T., Kannan, R., Mühlethaler, J. (2018). Fokusstudie «Saisonale Flexibilisierung einer nachhaltigen Energieversorgung der Schweiz», __, pp. Forum Energiespeicher Schweiz, Bern, The report can be downloaded from Forum Energiespeicher Schweiz ,Bern
Davis, G., S. Kim, T. Kober, and E. Panos (2017). Latin America and The Caribbean Energy Scenarios, __, Vol. World Energy Council. London, Download
Shivakumar, A., Faure, A., Normark, B., Gupta, S., Kober, T., Bauer, Ch., Xiaojin, Z. (2016). Electricity storage in a redesigned market, __, INSIGHT_E Rapid Response Energy Brief 10, link
Davis, G., Vargas, M., Kober, T., Panos, E., Volkart, K. et al. (2016). World Energy Scenarios - The Grand Transition, __, Project Partner Accenture Strategy and Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). World Energy Council, London, ISBN 978-0-946121-57-1
Shivakumar, A., Anjo J., Miller, M., Pye, S., Rouelle, P.B., Densing, M., Kober, T. (2017). Smart energy solutions in the EU: State of play and measuring progress, __, INSIGHT_E Policy Report, Abstract and Download
Fuchs, A., Demiray, T., Panos E., Kannan, R., Kober, T., Bauer, C., Schenler, W., Burgherr, P., Hirschberg, S. (2017). ISCHESS - Integration of stochastic renewables in the Swiss electricity supply system, __, Final report of the Swiss Competence Center Energy and Mobility.
Presenations
Kober, T., Panos, E. (2018). Energy system implications of a well-below 2C emissions trajectory, Annual conference of the Centre for Sustainable Energy Studies, Oslo, Norway, 22 Nov. 2018, Download
Kober, T. (2018). Power-to-X Technologies and Market Environment in Switzerland, 7th Symposium Heat and Electricity Storage, Rapperswil, 6 November 2018
Panos, E., Densing, M., Kober, T. (2018). Langfristige Preisentwicklungen im Strommarkt, SWISSCLEANTECH Tutorial, Zürich, 23. Oktober 2018
Panos, E., Kober, T. (2018). Langfristige Perspektiven von Speichertechnologien und alternativen Flexibilitätsoptionen in der Schweiz, ZHAW Energie- und Umweltforum, Winterthur, 24 October 2018
Kannan, R., Kober, T. (2018). Incorporating detailed technology data in bottom-up energy systems models: Insights from Swiss and international studies, Asian Energy Modelling Workshop, Singapore, 10-11 September 2018
Kober, T., Panos, E (2018). Energy System Challenges of deep global CO2 emissions reduction under the World Energy Council’s scenario framework, 37th International Energy Workshop, Gothenburg, Sweden, 19 June 2018
Kober, T., Panos, E., Densing, M. Kannan, R. (2018). Zukünftige Rolle der Schweizer Wasserkraft im Gesamtenergiesystem, VSE Fachtagung “Zukunft der Wasserkraft", Olten, 27. June 2018, Program
Singh, A., Kannan, R., Kober, T., (2018). Long-term evolution of European electricity sector, The 37th International Energy Workshop, Gothenburg, Sweden, 19-21 June 2018,, Download Presentation
Kannan, R., Kober, T. (2018). Tradeoff between system embedded and dedicated energy storage in integrating large share of renewables, The 37th International Energy Workshop, Gothenburg, Sweden, 19-21 June 2018,, Download Presentation
Kober, T., Friedl, M., Mühlethaler, J. (2018). Saisonale Flexibilisierungs-möglichkeiten der Energie-versorgung in der Schweiz, FESS Speicher-Roundtable, Bern, 28. Februar 2018, Presentation
Panos,E., Kober, T. (2018). Long-term evaluation of electricity-based storage technologies vs alternative flexibility options for the Swiss energy system, Treffen der Studiengruppe Energieperspektiven, Baden, 22.3.2018
Kober, T., Panos, E., Volkart, K., Hirschberg, S. (2017). World Energy Scenarios 2016, World Resources Forum 2017, Geneva, Switzerland, 24-25 October 2017, Poster
Kober, T., Yazdanie, M. Densing, M. (2017). Energiedrehscheibe Basel: Langfristuntersuchungen der zukünftigen Basler Energielandschaft basierend auf einem ökonomischen Optimierungsmodell, in novatlantis Bauforum, Basel, 21. Juni 2017, Presentation
Panos,E., Kober, T., Kannan, R. (2017). Die Bedeutung von Flexibilitaetsoptionen und Netzen fuer die langfristige Entwicklung des schweizer Electrizitaetssystems, in VDI-Berichte 2303, VDI Verlag GmbH - Duesseldorf 2017, Abstract
Kober, T., et al. (2016). Macroeconomic impacts of climate change mitigation in Latin America: a cross-model comparison, __, pp. International Energy Workshop, 1-3 June 2016