Personal profile
Research interests
I am studying the organization and regulation of energy markets. Several questions are addressed:
- Which regulatory instruments are necessary to obtain a sustainable energy system? How can we organize the market such that we will use the optimal mix of renewable and conventional technologies
- Do energy firms have market power? If abuse of market power is a problem, which steps can the government take to reduce market power? Are standard competition policy rules sufficient or should we rely on sector-specific regulation?
- Will a healthy and competitive energy sector deliver a secure energy supply system? What is the role of the government?
Career
- Associate professor, Tilburg University (2010- )
- Assistant professor, Tilburg University (2008-2010)
- Postdoc, Tilburg University (2006-2008)
- Jean Monnet Fellow, Florence School of Regulation (2006)
- Postdoc, KUleuven, (2004-2005)
- Postdoc, University of California Energy Institute, Berkeley (2004)
- Researcher, KULeuven (2000-2003)
- Teaching Assistant Mechanical Engineering, KULeuven (1998-1999)
Academic visits
- Florence University, 2018
- Toulouse University, 2014
- Research Institute for Industrial Economics, IFN Stockholm, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- Cambridge University, 2010
- TU-Dresden, 2006
PhD supervision
PhD supervision
Peerawat Samranchit (with Eric van Damme)
Chayanin Wipusanawan (with Florian Schuett)
Bastian Henze (with Charles Noussair), 2016
Doctoral examination committee
Xingang Wen, Tilburg, 2017
Ali Motavasseli, Tilburg 2016
Richard Meade, Toulouse, 2014
Romeo Langestraat, Tilburg University, 2013
Matthias Laffont, Toulouse, 2013
Joris Morbee, K.U.Leuven, 2011
Jasper Frunt, T.U.Eindhoven, 2011
Gerd Küpper, K.U.Leuven, 2010
Eckart Ehlers, Tilburg University, 2009
Paul Nillesen, Tilburg University, 2008
Education/Academic qualification
Economics, PhD, KU Leuven
Award Date: 14 Jan 2004
Economics, Master’s Degree, Advanced Studies: Master of Science in Economics, KU Leuven
Award Date: 1 Jul 2000
Economics, Master’s Degree, KU Leuven
Award Date: 8 Jul 1999
Mechanical engineering, Master’s Degree, KU Leuven
Award Date: 3 Jul 1998
Mechanical engineering, Bachelor’s Degree
Award Date: 23 Jun 1995
External positions
Professor (UCLouvain)
1 Sept 2023 → …
Contributing to Academic Policy Reports (CERRE Think tank)
13 Sept 2018 → …
Discussion on issues in energy policy (IDEI)
1 Mar 2017 → …
Vice president of non-profit research (Benelux Association for Energy Economics, Int. non-profit)
8 Jan 2012 → …
Keywords
- Industrial Organization
- Game Theory
- Energy Economics
- Microeconomics
- Competition
- Network Industries
- Regulation
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Optimal regulation of network expansion
Willems, B. & Zwart, G., Apr 2018, In: RAND Journal of Economics. 49, 1, p. 23-42Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access16 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Relaxing competition through speculation: Committing to a negative supply slope
Holmberg, P. & Willems, B., Sept 2015, In: Journal of Economic Theory. 159, A, p. 236-266Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile16 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)113 Downloads (Pure) -
Recommendations for a future-proof electricity market design in Europe in light of the 2021-23 energy crisis
Pollitt, M. G., von der Fehr, N.-H. M., Willems, B., Banet, C., Le Coq, C. & Chyong, C. K., May 2024, In: Energy Policy. 188, 114051.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access -
Retail Energy Markets Under Stress: Lessons Learnt for the Future of Market Design
Willems, B., von der Fehr, N.-H., Banet, C., Pollitt, M. & Le Coq, C., Jul 2022, Brussels: Centre on regulation in Europe (CERRE). 52 p.Research output: Book/Report › Report
Open AccessFile546 Downloads (Pure) -
The European Wholesale Electricty Market: From Crisis to Net Zero
Willems, B., Pollitt, M., von der Fehr, N.-H. & Banet, C., 1 Oct 2022, Brussels: Centre on regulation in Europe (CERRE). 90 p.Research output: Book/Report › Report
File381 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
- 1 Organising a conference
-
Powering Change Together: Reseacrh Confernce
Ruhela, S. (Organiser), Vanhove, S. (Organiser) & Willems, B. (Organiser)
25 May 2026 → 26 May 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organising a conference › Scientific
-
ENPOWER: ENHANCING SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY FOR ENERGY POVERTY
Doranova, A. (Principal Investigator), Noorman, M. (Principal Investigator), Çürük, M. (Principal Investigator), Ganzevoort, W. (Principal Investigator), van Soest, D. (Principal Investigator), Willems, B. (Principal Investigator), Schoots, M. (Coach) & van den Berg, D. (Coach)
1/09/24 → 31/07/27
Project: Research project
-
HyUSE: Hydrogen technology development and assessment for accelerated use
Baumgart, M. (Principal Investigator), Monti, G. (Co-Investigator) & Willems, B. (Co-Investigator)
2/01/24 → …
Project: Research project
-
Investments in the Electricity Market: Model and Applications
van Damme, E. (Researcher) & Willems, B. (Researcher)
1/09/08 → 1/09/10
Project: Research project
-
Efficient regulation of infrastructure investment - An experimental study
Henze, B. (Researcher), Noussair, C. N. (Principal Investigator) & Willems, B. (Principal Investigator)
1/09/08 → 1/09/11
Project: Research project