Whole System

By adopting a Whole System Strategy, we will take a holistic approach to identifying and creating value for customers, our business, and the Whole Energy System - enabling a more efficient and just transition to Net Zero.

We all need to work together to achieve Net Zero. With that in mind, we know that we're a central organisation in the energy landscape and have a responsibility to put Whole System solutions at the heart of a just transition to Net Zero. To do this, our Whole System approach will help deliver the energy network of the future.

About us

About Whole System

Our Whole System Misson

Our mission is to unlock the full value of Whole System thinking by collaborating not only with other electricity companies, but also key stakeholders including gas and water networks, innovators, network users, non-regulated companies, local areas and communities. This is to ensure efficient investment in the electricity network and to achieve a just transition to Net Zero.

The Whole System Concept

Whole System Thinking is a method used to understand how elements and systems are related, and how they influence one another. Whole System Thinking helps us to understand linkages among elements, cause and effect, feedback loops and to identify leverage points.

As we decarbonise the energy sector to meet climate change targets, we must develop our networks to create additional capacity that will facilitate the connection of low carbon technologies and the electrification of sectors like heat, transport and gas.

Enabling this future is dependent not only on the role that network companies play, but also on effectively harnessing the contribution that can be made by other parties.

That's why the concept of Whole System thinking challenges us to plan and develop our network with the knowledge of the full range of solutions available, and awareness of the impact our actions might have beyond our own networks. It requires frameworks for joint planning and data sharing between network companies, system operators, network users and other stakeholders.

Our Whole System Approach

Our Whole System approach is centred on bringing a more outward-looking approach into how we plan, operate and develop the network.

Our Whole System approach is underpinned by our strategic pillars:

1. Develop a network that is ready for Net Zero

Think beyond the electricity sector to support other energy vectors including heat, transport, and hydrogen by using innovation, markets, and smart grid networks to push the boundaries of Whole System thinking.

2. Be a trusted partner for customers, communities, and stakeholders

Use Whole System thinking to support a just transition to Net Zero and establish Strategic Partnerships and deliver Strategic Optimisation to enhance our approach and achieve better Whole System outcomes.

3. Ready our business for a digital and sustainable future

Embed Whole System thinking in our organisation, culture, and ways of working to deliver better Whole System outcomes while also considering appropriate Open Data that can support Whole System solutions.

Whole System Strategic Partnerships

SP Energy Networks is establishing Strategic Partnerships with key stakeholders in the energy sector. By sharing their knowledge and experience in applying Whole System Thinking, they will help us understand and embed real tangible changes in our processes and how we work to achieve better outcomes on our planning and decision making.

Our current Strategic Partners:

Energy Demand Research Centre
Energy Systems Catapult
Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre
Net Zero What Works Centre

Strategic Optimisation

We provide tools and services to Local Authorities and Local, Regional and National Government bodies to help them develop their local and regional energy strategies.

We can support Local Authorities and Local, Regional and National Government with the development of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES), Local Area Energy Plans (LAEP), Regional Energy Strategies and development of their decarbonisation plans

For more information, visit our Strategic Optimisation site.

Team

Mark Goudie – Head of Whole System Strategy and Optimisation

Mark leads our Whole System Strategy & Optimisation team, which aims to deliver improved Whole System outcomes. Mark is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Fellow with broad technical, commercial and management experience across the energy sector.

Mark’s role involves leading our Strategic Optimisation & Low Carbon Technology (LCT) Optioneering with Local Authorities and Local, Regional and National Government and embedding Whole System thinking across SP Energy Networks.

Rachel Shorney – Strategic Optimisation Manager

Rachel manages our Strategic Optioneering & LCT Optioneering team developing strategic partnerships with Local Authorities and Local, Regional and National Government to support Net Zero ambitions whilst providing smart data for future network planning. Rachel has previous experience across construction, maintenance and operations, with the last 15 years focusing on the connections and stakeholder engagement area facilitating distributed generation projects and supporting local authorities and regional government net zero ambitions for the decarbonisation of heat and transport.

In this role, Rachel supports local authorities in the development of their LHEES/LAEP and transport plans, provides expertise, guidance and access to data sets as well as managing our optioneering, advice and support for the development of feasible low carbon technology scenarios.

Documents

Whole System Strategy

Strategic Optimisation Output Collaboration Plan

Coordination Register

Whole Electricity System Coordination Register

We're required to coordinate with other electricity network licensees and users, to advance coordination and cooperation across energy networks and users. We evidence our performance on this by publishing a Whole Electricity System Coordination Register.

Our register is a 'live' document and will be updated as we develop Whole System planning and development into projects. The register will contain the date it was last updated.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure our data and narrative is accurate, the details in the register are for information purposes only and should not be used for any other reason.

Download the register

Whole System – Feedback and Suggestions

Listening and actioning our stakeholders’ feedback and meeting all of our customers' needs are core values for us that make sure we're focussed on doing the right things for both the users of our transmission and distribution networks, but also for the wider communities we serve.

Whole System planning isn't something we can do on our own – we need your input.

That's why we're inviting whole electricity system suggestions from you to understand more about what is important to you and how we can build your ideas into our investment plans. Anyone who would like to propose whole electricity system suggestions can do so on this form.

We'll endeavour to provide you feedback on next steps and how your suggestion has been considered.

Your details

* First name

* Last name

* Your email address

* Which organisation do you work for or represent?

* Your phone number

Tell us about your suggestion

* Give us an overview of your suggestion or feedback

* What benefits do you think we could realise from your suggestion?

* Which area(s) does your proposal relate to?

Central and Southern Scotland
North Wales
Merseyside Cheshire and North Shropshire

* Which area(s) of our business does this relate to?

Transmission
Distribution

Please refer to our Privacy Policy to understand how your data is treated once submitted via this form.

Contact

If you have any questions, feedback or if there is anything you’d like to discuss related to our Whole System approach, we'd love to hear from you.

Whole System

The work of our Whole System team is centred on bringing a more outward-looking approach into how we plan, operate and develop the network.

Whole System isn't something we can do on our own – we would love to hear from you.

WholeSystem@spenergynetworks.co.uk

Learn more on the ‘About Us’ tab

Support and Services

We have a number of tools and services to support our customers which are outlined below.

Strategic Optimisation

Providing tools and services to Local Authorities and Local, Regional and National Government to help them develop their local and regional energy strategies.

StrategicOptimisation@spenergynetworks.co.uk

Flexibility Services

Using Flexibility Service Providers to develop distribution markets which support our network. We manage the procurement and delivery of our flexibility market solutions.

We can support organisations with both registration and contracting with SP Energy Networks.

Flexibility@spenergynetworks.co.uk

Community Energy

Proactively working with Community Energy groups to raise awareness and support project development.

We can support with focused advice, workshops and ensure community groups have a positive experience and interaction with SP Energy Networks.

CommunityEnergy@spenergynetworks.co.uk

Connection Applications & Enquiries

Delivering a quality and standardised customer experience for all connections customers.

We can support our customers in a connections solution that meets their requirements.

GettingConnected@spenergynetworks.co.uk

FAQs

Question

Answer

What is 'Whole System'?

The concept of Whole System is where joined up consideration of the needs of energy vectors results in effective coordination and data sharing between network companies and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the energy transition at a reasonable cost to consumers. For example, we worked in collaboration with Transport Scotland and Local Authorities to deliver 167 new public chargers in 44 locations across Lanarkshire, targeting areas and communities where the commercial market has not yet delivered these facilities and is unlikely to in the short to medium term.

Therefore, the concept of Whole System challenges us to plan and develop our network with knowledge of the full range of solutions and awareness of the impact of our actions beyond our own networks. It requires frameworks for joint planning and data sharing between network companies, system operators, network users and other stakeholders.

Why do we need to consider Whole System thinking?

Energy / utility providers are facing new challenges, requiring a more collaborative way of working to achieve our Net Zero ambitions, to meet increased energy demands within our communities, and to deliver better value and efficiency to our customers.

Joint planning processes and data sharing between network companies have the potential to promote efficient use of flexible resources to meet demand, the identification of a greater range of network reinforcement options, more efficient constraint management and improved network connectivity. We envisage that this enhanced 'toolkit', derived from network companies working collaboratively rather than independently, will ultimately lead to lower cost options and efficient alternatives to traditional network reinforcement to address network requirements.

How do we deliver Whole System thinking within our organisation?

We have committed to delivering a proactive and transparent approach to Whole System thinking. We have a dedicated team focussed on Whole System thinking and delivering tangible Whole System solutions and Outcomes. You can contact this team by sending an email to wholesystem@spenergynetworks.co.uk. Whole System thinking will form an integral part of our future programmes and initiatives and we are working in collaboration with the Energy System Catapult to ensure we embed this framework into our organisation.

Where do inputs and ideas come from regarding WS?

Whole System is built on a framework of collaboration, solutions will not only come from within our organisation, but from our cooperation and activities with other energy operators and utility suppliers. Any third party can make a suggestion that delivers Whole System benefits. We will capture and review suggestions via the form on this website.

How do you communicate what WS activities are being carried out within your organisation?

We are publishing our Whole System Register (a record of ongoing and completed activities and programmes that support WS thinking) and will be updating it at least once a year.

If you have any questions or if there is anything you’d like to discuss - we'd love to hear from you at: wholesystem@spenergynetworks.co.uk.