Jan Schipper

As a child, I was captivated by government advertising warning us to conserve the scarce fossil fuels the world supplies us with. From that time on, I had a mission. I wanted to understand how the energy system works and what needs to be done to transform it into a different, more sustainable system. This is where my interest in systems thinking originated.

My foundation was further developed during my studies in applied physics at the University of Twente, in the Measurement and Control Engineering department, specializing in district heating. During my studies, I discovered the importance of data in developing decision-making models. Additionally, I obtained a degree in computer science. For my graduation project, I modeled and simulated the airflow and temperature control for a sterile cabinet for manned spaceflight. An exceptionally complex problem because, in addition to the technology, human behavior in space had to be modeled as well.

I am a systems thinker and can effectively balance both rational and more “soft” considerations. I spent a large part of my
career working for energy producers and grid operators. The other part was in asset management consulting,
including a 12-year period working for an American company that developed
decision-making models and scenario analyses in the asset management domain that closely resembled Copernicus’ STORM and Asset Dynamics approaches.

I have held various asset management roles in energy generation, energy and water infrastructure, and for major energy consumers in industry. I have done this as an asset owner/asset manager and as an advisor in energy transition and asset
management. This has allowed me to build extensive knowledge and an overview of the energy system and develop a strong understanding and
empathy to view the complexity of the energy transition and its impact
on asset management from various perspectives.

My ambition at Copernicos is to build a strong position in the Energy and Infrastructure sector. My target clients are
(green) energy producers, transport and distribution companies, and major energy consumers. After all, there’s still much to be done before we can say we’ve completed a successful energy transition.

Who I am?

I grew up in the Achterhoek region, where I spent my high school years surrounded by down-to-earth, doers and a strong community mentality. This foundation formed my curiosity about technology, systems, and how people collaborate.

I spent my college years in Enschede, where I studied Applied Physics with a specialization in measurement and systems technology, supplemented with ICT. My fascination with energy networks and large-scale infrastructures arose within the District Heating department.

I graduated from Fokker Space & Systems, where precision, innovation, and systems thinking were central.

What drives me?

From a young age, I felt a strong connection to the earth and its scarce resources. My peers played soccer after school, and I went to the library to gather knowledge about alternative energy generation and technological breakthroughs.

My passion lies in the question: how do you guide major societal and technological transitions—and how do you involve people in them?

For me, the energy transition is not just a technical issue; It’s a human challenge. It’s precisely that combination that motivates me to help organizations with change, strategy, and sustainable development.

My roots in transition

My family’s history shows how deeply change is ingrained in my DNA.
The name Schipper goes back to peat skippers from Drenthe—independent entrepreneurs who made a living from cutting, transporting, and trading peat. When peat was replaced by coal, they had to completely reinvent their lives. Many became farmers or independent craftsmen.

On my mother’s side, the past lies in Limburg. My grandfather worked as a foreman in the coal mines. When this industry also disappeared, the family had to make a major transition. They started their own catering business and built a new life from there.

These stories of adaptability, entrepreneurship, and the courage to start over form the foundation of my work.

Transitions are never just technical; they are human processes that require vision, realism, and connection.