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