Barend Dronkers
About Barend Dronkers
Barend Dronkers is a Product Strategist specializing in Customer Energy Solutions, currently working at E Source. With extensive experience in energy transition planning and renewable energy projects, he has held various roles in organizations focused on sustainability and clean energy across Canada and the Netherlands.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Barend Dronkers currently serves as a Product Strategist for E Source, focusing on Customer Energy Solutions. He has been in this role since 2022 and works remotely. In this position, he guides decision-makers and policymakers in navigating the technical, financial, and community-benefit aspects of projects within the clean energy sector. Additionally, he is the Product Director at Grid Sandbox, an Energy Futures Lab Project, where he has worked since 2020. His responsibilities include overseeing product development and strategy related to energy transition planning and renewable energy projects.
Previous Work Experience
Barend Dronkers has held various positions in the energy sector. He worked as a Program Lead for the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre for seven months in 2020. Prior to that, he served as a Team Lead for Electrification & Efficiency at Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research in 2017. His experience also includes roles at E Source as a Lead Analyst and at Energy Efficiency Alberta as an Analyst and Senior Analyst. He has worked in diverse capacities, including sustainability consulting and energy systems engineering, across multiple organizations in Canada and the Netherlands.
Educational Background
Barend Dronkers has a strong educational foundation in engineering and sustainable energy. He earned a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Technology from Delft University of Technology between 2012 and 2014. He also holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo, which he completed from 2004 to 2009. Additionally, he studied at the University of Melbourne, where he achieved an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering in 2006. He further enhanced his expertise with a Social and Environmental Leadership Certificate from NextUp in 2012.
Advocacy and Focus Areas
Barend Dronkers is actively involved in advocating for community access to clean energy and promoting investment in renewable energy projects. His work emphasizes the importance of shared benefits in energy transition planning. He focuses on energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, guiding stakeholders through the complexities of project implementation. His expertise enables him to effectively communicate the value of clean energy solutions to various audiences, including policymakers and community members.
Professional Affiliations and Contributions
Throughout his career, Barend Dronkers has contributed to various organizations and initiatives. He has been involved with Engineers Without Borders Canada in multiple capacities, including Director of Event Planning and VP Communications. His commitment to sustainable practices is evident from his roles in different engineering and consulting firms, where he has worked on projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting clean energy solutions. His diverse experiences across different sectors and regions have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the energy landscape.