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NETWORK / 5 / NOVEMBER 2016 E D I T O R ' S N O T E The need for whole system thinking about energy has been a consistent thread running through industry debate this year. It was a key theme at the LCNI conference in Manchester (p18) and the raison d'etre for the Future Power System Architecture study. More recently, the Energy Technologies Institute has published its interpretation of the need for a holistic approach to energy planning which looks across power, gas and heat networks to optimise sustainability, a€ ordability and security of supply. Its report, UK Networks: Transition Challenges, urges stakeholders to think today about how investment decisions will a€ ect their abil- ity to integrate with other energy players in the next decade. ETI's whole system view makes a fascinating read – but not necessarily a comfortable one, especially for gas distributors. In 2016, several academic studies have argued for a signiŠ cant long term role for decarbonised gas in the UK's energy future. At the same time, these studies have sought to debunk government policies centred on the widespread electriŠ cation of heat and the decommissioning of much of the UK gas grid. ETI takes a di€ erent stance. Its report certainly supports the idea that gas network will continue to have a role in the future, but the words "decommissioning" and "reduced utilisation" feature prominently in both proposed whole system transition scenarios with regards to gas. One scenario – "Clockwork", which takes a centralised approach to system integration – would result in "a planned, phased shutdown of the gas distribution network", from the mid-2020s as home heating transfers to other fuel sources. A more decentralised approach to integration – "Patch- work" – would have a less radical impact, but still suggests that, "in some locations, the gas distribution network is decommis- sioned". In other areas it is retained, at lower utilisation. These words send a clear message that the role of gas networks in the future of our energy system is far from settled. SigniŠ cant question marks remain over the whole system carbon impact and economics of favoured pathways to gas decarbonisation, such as increased Bio-SNG connections and hydrogen grid conversion. ETI speaks glowingly about the potential for the gas grid to ena- ble wider energy system storage and – exibility – as well as delivering fuel to important industrial processes. But it is clear that distributors may yet need to steel themselves for a diminishing role in the provision of domestic heat. C OMING SO ON ∙ Smart metering • Smart systems • Opening the gas market • OHL advances YOUR NET W ORK Give the people what they want Let us know what projects, technologies and topics you want us to cover Have your say Express your opinions and respond to content by blogging or writing for the magazine A social Network Follow us on Twitter: @Network_mag Email the editor: janegray@fav-house.com ble wider energy system storage and – exibility – as well Jane Gray janegray@fav-house.com