Dimitris Mentis is the Lead of the Energy Access Explorer, WRI‘s data-driven approach to achieving universal access to energy services. Dimitris focuses on the development and application of open source, dynamic, geospatial platforms and analytical tools to support governments, private companies, donors, and other development-oriented institutions in identifying high-priority areas where access to energy should be expanded while ensuring socio-economic development. Previously, Dimitris led the Sustainable Energy for All team at KTH Royal Institute of Technology where he developed the innovative Open Source Spatial Electrification Toolkit (OnSSET) in collaboration with colleagues and international partners, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), World Bank, ESMAP, ABB and others. Dimitris has also focused on mapping the technical potential of renewable energy resources at the national and regional levels through a complex GIS assessment, a research initiative supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Further, Dimitris has worked on assessing the climate land energy and water nexus at different scales; water desalination on island case studies in cooperation with the Hellenic Ministry of Energy, Environment and Climate Change and the National Technical University of Athens, and transboundary river basins in cooperation with United Nations Economic Commission of Europe (UNECE).
Dimitris holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Systems (KTH Royal Institute of Technology), an MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering (KTH Royal Institute of Technology), and a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (National Technical University of Athens).
During his spare time, Dimitris loves spending time with his family and close friends and enjoys visiting his favorite places or exploring new, while biking, football, and squash are some of his favorite activities.