Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1033088
NETWORK / 33 / OCTOBER 2018 valuable. The alternative is to test isolated sub-systems, but this prevents boundary issues and interactions from being deter- mined. By taking a whole system approach, these interactions can be investigated, but we should simplify where possible." How can a whole systems approach work? CM: "Careful experiment design to ensure fair evaluation is required, so the dangers of a false positive, or false negative are designed out at the start." PT: "A whole systems approach has been shown to be feasible in places such as Denmark. In the UK, we need a commitment from government and funders of the system. There also needs to be collective acknowl- edgement that the current approach is not necessarily in the interest of the consumer." DG: "Agreed. But the first step is for InTE- GReL – a huge site with unique facilities – to demonstrate how the whole systems approach can work at scale." PE: "Absolutely. We need to get on with it by testing the different technologies to see how they interact. It's only by observing whole systems in this way that we'll be able to pave the way for real-world deployments that benefit the consumer." Why is a whole system approach important? DG: "It helps identify dependencies, constraints and opportunities across the larger system, allowing different approaches to improve resilience and sustainability while maintaining lowest customer cost. Importantly, it also helps with decarbonisation of transport, electric - ity and gas as we look towards the Climate Change Act by 2050. "Gas networks are highly resilient, enormously flexible and cost effective to run. They can store vast amounts of energy, making them a key future player. For in - stance, power to gas technology enables the gas network to absorb surplus power from the grid when supply exceeds demand, and when intermittent renewable generation causes instability. "Ultimately it's about better cost for the consumer, improved resilience, and decar - bonisation." PE: "Yes, whole-systems are hugely im- portant for getting the most from clean technologies for energy asset owners, the environment and society in general. The aim is to achieve a clean energy system that embraces innovation and makes everyone's lives better." CM: "Technologies that work well in isola - tion can o"en struggle with scale, simply because of the system in which they are required to function. Correcting mistakes can be expensive if discovered too late. It is also much quicker and cheaper to develop products and optimise systems using the whole system approach." PT: "It will also reduce the amount of wasted resources – less energy wastage, due to higher system and transportation efficien- cies. And cross-sectorial investment will remove duplicated effort and spend. "A whole system approach will also increase flexibility. The system will respond to multi-vectors so the risk of a single issue such as power cuts will be reduced. Adop- tion of flexibility, such as energy storage, also enables cleaner but more intermittent generation. "Neither the heat or transport sectors have made significant decarbonisation progress in the UK. By taking a whole system approach they can take advantage of the electricity sectors' progress. By demon - strating a truly multi-vector whole-systems approach, we will establish leading-edge systems, technology and IP, and be able to export this internationally." Is there anything about working in a whole energy system environment that precludes a project that only looks at one energy vector? CM: "No – there are many complementary single vector projects. From a development perspective, the simplest approach is always best. Sometimes this could be a single energy vector, but real-world, whole system environments are also required." PE: "I agree – the key is how these technolo - gies interact. Programmes like InTEGReL test how one technology impacts the wider picture – for example the opportunities and issues from more renewables. And what's the impact on the whole system? So we begin to understand where a seemingly negative activity has a wider positive impact or vice-versa, and then we can minimise cost, reduce the risk of stranded assets and do things like build storage to improve optimisation." DG: "Yes. And importantly each vector should be connected with comprehensive data and analytics. Effectively using internet of things and artificial intelligence is an inherent objective of InTEGReL." PT: "There has been significant investment in single vector technology, and other facili - ties that are catering for this. "Project developers should consider adding value to consumers and industry by considering all vectors and providing a fuller solution." Chris McDonald. Phil Taylor. David Gill. Patrick Erwin.