Íñigo Capellán Pérez
(Valladolid, 1986.)
Industrial Engineer from the University of Valladolid and ENSAM Arts et Métiers ParisTech. Master’s degree in “Electrical Energy and Sustainable Development” (ENSAM Lille, 2008) and PhD in Economics with the dissertation “Development and Applications of Integrated Assessment Models for Sustainability” (University of the Basque Country, 2016).
My research focuses on the analysis and modeling of energy–economy–environment systems with the aim of achieving sustainability. I study the transition toward renewable energy in a context of fossil fuel depletion and ecological crisis—especially climate change—as well as the various limits to energy availability (geological, thermodynamic, material, land-related, economic, etc.). My work also examines implications in terms of net energy (EROI) and the technical and social transformations required for sustainability, including the limitations of green growth–based strategies and the potential of degrowth and post-growth scenarios. I am a co-developer of IAM models such as MEDEAS and WILIAM.
I have participated in numerous national and international projects. I have published dozens of articles in international journals such as Energy & Environmental Science, Energy, Energy for Sustainable Development, Sustainability Science, and Energy Research & Social Science, and have also contributed to books on environmental sustainability and ecological economics.
Contact
Academic publications
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Aramendia, E., Nieto, J., Capellán-Pérez, I., Llases, L., de Blas, I., Lago Aurrekoetxea, R. M., Álvarez-Antelo, D., & Carpintero, Ó. 2026. Reducing material requirements while decarbonising the Spanish economy: From a green growth to a postgrowth paradigm. Progress in Energy, 8, 025003. https://doi.org/10.1088/2516-1083/ae4667
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López-Muñoz, P., Capellán-Pérez, Í., Carpintero, Ó. 2025. Exploring the representation of climate change impacts in integrated assessment modelling: the case of health and place. Climatic Change, 178, 214. https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2025.2594105
- Campos-Rodríguez, J. M., Capellán-Pérez, Í., Parrado-Hernando, G., & Frechoso, F. A. (2025). From grey to “green”: Modelling the non-energy uses of hydrogen for the EU energy transition. Applied Energy, 397, 126325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126325
- Capellán-Pérez, I., Batas Bjelić, I., Rajakovic, N. 2024. Simulation-based optimization concept for integrated assessment models: Case study MEDEAS-world. e-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy, Volume 9, 100713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prime.2024.100713
- Lauer, A., Capellán-Pérez, I., Wergles, N. 2024. A comparative review of de- and post-growth modeling studies. Ecological Economics, Volume 227 (January 1st, 2025): 108383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108383.
- Papagianni, S., Capellán-Pérez, I., Adam, A., Pastor, A. Review and meta-analysis of Energy Return on Investment and environmental indicators of biofuels. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volumen 203. October 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114737
- Álvarez-Antelo, D., Lauer, A., Capellán-Pérez, I. Exploring the potential of a novel passenger transport model to study the decarbonisation of the transport sector. Energy, 3 de julio de 2024, 132313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132313.
- Ferreras-Alonso, N., Capellán-Pérez, Í., Adam, A., de Blas, I., Mediavilla, M. «Mitigation of land-related impacts of solar deployment in the European Union through land planning policies». Energy, 12 de mayo de 2024, 131617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131617.
- Parrado-Hernando, G., Herc, L., Feijoo, F., Capellán-Pérez, I. Capturing features of hourly-resolution energy models in an integrated assessment model: An application to the EU27 region, Energy, Volume 304, 2024, 131903, ISSN 0360-5442, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131903.
- Pulido Sánchez, D., Capellán-Pérez, I., De Castro, C., Frechoso, F. 2022. Material and energy requirements of transport electrification. Energy & Environmental Science 2022. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EE00802E
- Huard, D., Fyke, J., Capellán-Pérez, I., Matthews, H.D., Partanen, A.-I., n.d. Estimating the likelihood of GHG concentration scenarios from probabilistic Integrated Assessment Model simulations. Earth’s Future n/a, e2022EF002715. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EF002715 (open-access) https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022EF002715
- Parrado Hernando, G., Herc, L., Pfeifer, A., Capellán Pérez, I., Batas Bjelić, I., Neven, D., Frechoso, F., Miguel González, L. J., Gjorgievski Vladimir, Z. 2022. Capturing features of hourly-resolution energy models through statistical annual indicators. Renewable Energy 2022, RENE 17397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.07.040.
- Pulido Sánchez, D., Capellán-Pérez, I., Mediavilla, M., De Castro, C., Frechoso, F., 2021. Análisis de los requerimientos de materiales de la movilidad eléctrica mundial. DYNA, 2020. DYNA, Vol. 96, pp. 207 – 213. https://doi.org/10.6036/9893
- Capellán-Pérez, I., De Blas, I., Nieto, J., Mediavilla, M., De Castro, C., Carpintero, Ó., Lobejón, L.F., Álvarez, D., Ferreras, N., Parrado, G., Frechoso, F., Duce, C., Miguel, L.J., 2021. Modelo MEDEAS. Papeles de Energía, Nº12 (febrero 2021). pp. 39 – 45. (PDF en castellano)
- Van de Ven, D.-J., Capellán-Pérez, I., Arto, I., Cazcarro, I., De Castro, C., Patel, P., González-Eguino, M., 2021. The potential land use requirements and related land use change emissions of solar energy. Scientific Reports. Vol. 11, Article number: 2907. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82042-5
- De Blas, I., Mediavilla, M., Capellán-Pérez, Í.,Duce, C., 2020. The limits of transport decarbonization under the current growth paradigm. Energy Strategy Reviews, 32, 100543.
- Castro, C. de, Capellán-Pérez, I., 2020. Standard, Point of Use, and Extended Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROI) from Comprehensive Material Requirements of Present Global Wind, Solar, and Hydro Power Technologies. Energies. (open access)
- Capellán-Pérez, I., Blas, I. de, Nieto, J., Castro, C. de, Miguel, L.J., Carpintero, Ó., Mediavilla, M., Lobejón, L.F., Ferreras-Alonso, N., Rodrigo, P., Frechoso, F., Álvarez-Antelo, D., 2020. MEDEAS: a new modeling framework integrating global biophysical and socioeconomic constraints. Energy Environ. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1039/
C9EE02627D - Solé, J., Samsó, R., García-Ladona, E., García-Olivares, A., Ballabrera-Poy, J., Madurell, T., Turiel, A., Osychenko, O., Álvarez, D., Bardi, U., Baumann, M., Buchmann, K., Capellán-Pérez, Í., Černý, M., Carpintero, Ó., De Blas, I., De Castro, C., De Lathouwer, J-D., Duce, C., Eggler, L., Enríquez, J.M., Falsini, S., Feng, K., Ferreras, N., Frechoso, F., Hubacek, K., Jones, A., Kaclíková, R. Kerschner, C., Kimmich, C., Lobejón, L.F., Lomas, P.L., Martelloni, G., Mediavilla, M., Miguel, L.J., Natalini, D., Nieto, J., Nikolaev, A., Parrado, G., Papagianni, S., Perissi, I., Ploiner, C., Radulov, L., Rodrigo, P., Sun, L., Theofilidi, M., 2020. Modelling the renewable transition: Scenarios and pathways for a decarbonized future using pymedeas, a new open-source energy systems model. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 132, 110105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110105 (open access)
- I. Capellán-Pérez, N. Johanisova, J. Young, C. Kunze. 2020. Is community energy really non-existent in post-socialist Europe? Examining recent trends in 16 countries. Energy Research & Social Science 61, 101348. (PDF AAM en inglés)
- I. Capellán-Pérez, C. de Castro, L.J. Miguel González. 2019. Dynamic Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROI) and material requirements in scenarios of global transition to renewable energies. Energy Strategy Reviews 26, 100399 (open access).
- Blas, I. de, Miguel, L.J., Capellán-Pérez, I., 2019. Modelling of sectoral energy demand through energy intensities in MEDEAS integrated assessment model. Energy Strategy Reviews.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2019.100419
- Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo, Carlos de Castro, and Iñaki Arto. “Assessing Vulnerabilities and Limits in the Transition to Renewable Energies: Land Requirements under 100% Solar Energy Scenarios.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (September 2017): 760–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.03.137.
- Gorka Bueno; David Hoyos; Iñigo Capellán-Perez. Evaluating the environmental performance of the high speed rail project in the Basque Country, Spain. Research in Transportation Economics. 27/02/2017.
Disponible en Internet en: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0739885916301172>. - González-Eguino, Mikel, Marc B. Neumann, Iñaki Arto, Iñigo Capellán-Pérez, and Sérgio H. Faria (2017). “Mitigation Implications of an Ice-Free Summer in the Arctic Ocean.” Earth’s Future, January 2017, 5, no.1, 59-66. doi:10.1002/2016EF000429.
- González-Eguino, Mikel, Iñigo Capellán-Pérez, Iñaki Arto, Alberto Ansuategi, and Anil Markandya (2016). “Industrial and Terrestrial Carbon Leakage under Climate Policy Fragmentation.” Climate Policy 17, no. sup1, (June 1, 2017): S148-S169. doi:10.1080/14693062.2016.1227955.
- Antigüedad, Iñaki, Roberto Bermejo, David Hoyos, Germà Bel, Gorka Bueno, Iñigo Capellán-Pérez, Izaro Gorostidi, Iñaki Bárcena, and Josu Larrinaga. “Análisis Transdisciplinar Del Modelo Ferroviario de Alta Velocidad: El Proyecto de Nueva Red Ferroviaria Para El País Vasco.” Cuadernos de Trabajo HEGOA 71 (2016): 54.
- Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo, Iñaki Arto, Josué M. Polanco-Martínez, Mikel González-Eguino, and Marc B. Neumann (2016). “Likelihood of Climate Change Pathways under Uncertainty on Fossil Fuel Resource Availability.” Energy & Environmental Science 9, no. 8 (August 2, 2016): 2482–96. doi:10.1039/C6EE01008C.
- Arto, Iñaki, Iñigo Capellán-Pérez, Rosa Lago, Gorka Bueno, and Roberto Bermejo (2016). “The Energy Requirements of a Developed World.” Energy for Sustainable Development 33 (August 2016): 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2016.04.001.
- Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo, Margarita Mediavilla, Carlos de Castro, Óscar Carpintero, and Luis Javier Miguel (2015). “More Growth? An Unfeasible Option to Overcome Critical Energy Constraints and Climate Change.” Sustainability Science, April 25, 2015, 1–15. doi:10.1007/s11625-015-0299-3.
- Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo, Margarita Mediavilla, Carlos de Castro, and Luis Javier Miguel (2014). “World Limits Model (WoLiM) 1.0 – Model Documentation. Technical Report.” Spain: Energy, Economy and System Dynamics Group of the University of Valladolid, May 2014.
- Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo, Mikel González-Eguino, Iñaki Arto, Alberto Ansuategi, Kishore Dhavala, Pralit Patel, and Anil Markandya (2014). “New Climate Scenario Framework Implementation in the GCAM Integrated Assessment Model.” BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change, August 27, 2014. http://www.bc3research.org/workingpapers/2014-04.html.
- Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo, Margarita Mediavilla, Carlos de Castro, Óscar Carpintero, and Luis Javier Miguel (2014). “Fossil Fuel Depletion and Socio-Economic Scenarios: An Integrated Approach.” Energy 77 (December 1, 2014): 641–66. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.063.
- Mediavilla, Margarita, Carlos de Castro, Iñigo Capellán-Pérez, Luis Javier Miguel, Iñaki Arto, and Fernando Frechoso. “The Transition towards Renewable Energies: Physical Limits and Temporal Conditions.” Energy Policy 52 (January 2013): 297–311. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2012.09.033.
Popular articles
- Iñigo Capellán-Pérez; Hoyos David. La Y vasca no se sostiene. El Ecologista. 93, pp. 17 – 21. 10/2017.
Disponible en Internet en: <https://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/article35173.html>. - Iñigo Capellán-Pérez; Iñaki Arto. Energía, desarrollo y transición hacia la sostenibilidad. El Ecologista. 91, pp. 23-25. 2016.
Disponible en Internet en: <http://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/article91.html?artpage=2-2>. - Iñigo Capellán-Pérez; Carlos de Castro. Cambio climático, modelos e IPCC. El Ecologista. 84, pp. 18 – 20. 2015.
Disponible en Internet en: http://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/article29793.html. - Iñigo Capellán-Pérez. ¿Por qué fracasan las cumbres climáticas?: entre la protección de los intereses privados y la complejidad del sistema. El Ecologista. 85, pp. 28 – 30. 2015. Disponible en Internet en http://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/article30324.html.
Chapters of books
- Iñigo Capellan-Perez, Carlos de Castro, 2022. Review and Assessment of Sustainable Limits to the Global Solar Electric Potential, in Solar Co-generation of Electricity and Water, Large Scale Photovoltaic Systems, [Eds. UNESCO-EOLSS Joint Committee], in Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the Auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Paris, France, http://www.eolss.net
- Iñigo Capellán-Pérez; Carlos de Castro. Transición a energías renovables y demanda de minerales. Minería y extractivismos. Granada, (España): Editorial Universida de Granada, 2022. Disponible online en: <https://editorial.ugr.es/libro/mineria-y-extractivismos_138873/>. ISBN 9788433869258.
- Capellán-Pérez, Í., De Castro, C. (2020). Los límites ecológicos del mundo. Enríquez, J.M., Miguel, L.J., Duce, C. (Ed.) Repensar la sostenibilidad. (pp 19-38.) Madrid: UNED.
- De Castro, C., Capellán-Pérez, Í. (2020). Ciencia y tecnología para la sostenibilidad. Enríquez, J.M., Miguel, L.J., Duce, C. (Ed.) Repensar la sostenibilidad. (pp 295-318.) Madrid: UNED.
- Kerschner, Christian, and Iñigo Capellán-Pérez. “Peak-Oil and Ecological Economics.” In Routdlege Handbook of Ecological Economics: Nature and Society, edited by Clive L. Spash, Routledge. Abingdon, 2017.
- Hoyos, David, Gorka Bueno, and Iñigo Capellán-Pérez. “Environmental Assessment of High-Speed Rail.” In Evaluating High-Speed Rail, Routledge., 120–39. Routledge Studies in Transport Analysis, 2017.
- Capellán-Pérez; I Arto; J.M. Polanco-Martínez; M. González-Eguino; M.B Neumann. Climate Change Pathways and Uncertainty on Recoverable Energy Resources. Non-linearities and system-flips. 2, Sigtunastiftelsen, Sigtuna, Sweden, 2016. Available on-line at: <http://owsgip.itc.utwente.nl/projects/complex/images/uploaded_files/COMPLEX_Vol_3b_final.pdf>. ISBN 978-91-976048-3-3
Metabolism of Cities podcast: Confronting Green Growth & Degrowth Narratives with Models
Entrevista de Iñigo Capellán en el podcast de Nate Hagens “Net Energy Analysis: Through a Systems Lens”
Conference “Potencial y límites de las energias renovables” at the University of León
“Potencial y límites de las energías renovables” at the conference Construir autonomía frente a la crisis global in Gijón
“Transición energética y soluciones basadas en el Decrecimiento” for Rebelión Científica España
Podcast Café y Puro by Marcos Ruperez about Planetary boundaries
“Polycrisis, Globalism, Diagnosis, Scientific Models” | Mindenségit! Interview at World Adaptation Forum 2025.
“Beyond Green Growth: Facing Energy Realities | Mindenségit! Presentation at World Adaptation Forum 2025.