System of Systems Architecture
Supergen Energy Network Impact Hub is taking a mission approach to solving energy network challenges. This mission on ‘Energy Network Solutions for Net Zero Whole System Futures’. investigates System-of-System (SoS) architectures to support solving those problems. Dr Daniel Carr arranged an internal workshop to further develop research questions and work that can be completed in this area. Daniel is working in conjunction with Prof. Jianzhong Wu, Dr Muditha Abeysekera, Dr Shuai Yao, Dr Xun Jiang and Elliot O’Malley on the mission.
The objective of the workshop was to identify key players, stakeholders and challenges within energy networks and how taking a systems of systems architecture approach can solve the challenges posed by Net Zero energy networks.
SoS architecture is used to help manage, plan and operate complex systems made up of constituent interconnected systems. Currently the operation of gas, heat and electricity networks operate separately or with little coordination. Moving to multi-vector energy networks and managing the different vectors will require a SoS approach. The aim of Daniel’s project is to deliver systems engineering approaches to developing multi-vector energy networks to deliver efficient, secure, resilient and sustainable energy systems of the future.
Workshop
During the workshop multiple key challenges were identified facing energy networks including:
– Decarbonisation of heat
– Connection Queue Problem
– EV Charging infrastructure
– Energy Data
– Future Energy Markets
Many of these challenges are difficult to solve, but further work was done to identify some of the most pressing issues faced by the energy network on its trajectory to decarbonisation of the energy network. Two challenges were identified including ‘Decarbonisation of Heat’ and ‘Connection Queue Problem’.
The team took these problems and expanded the problem space further to identify the key stakeholders involved and the interactions between those stakeholders.
The decarbonisation of heat is of particular concern for GB as it is highly reliant on gas heating in the domestic and industrial sector. With the push for electrification of heat in the form of either district heating or home installed air source heat pumps. The electrification of heat will put further stress on the electricity system and require large amounts of investment in the reinforcement of the networks. Another challenge presented is the insulation of home, with heat pumps heating profile different to that of gas boilers, and lower operation temperatures, the insulation of the property will have a direct impact on the efficiency and performance of the heat pump.
Connection Queue Problem
The Energy connection queue problem is particularly difficult to solve. With a large amount of renewable energy generators waiting to connect to the grid slowing down the transition to Net Zero. The planning process is slow, and there are large backlogs waiting for connection due to network reinforcement being needed to allow these projects to connect to the grid. Identification of the key processes and stakeholders involved from planning, local and national government, energy supplies and consumers were carried out. A SoS approach to tackling this problem should be developed further. One of the key outcomes from the work was stakeholder mapping to show how different stakeholders interact and rely on each other to improve the overall efficiency and speed up of grid connections.
The workshop was able to identify many challenges posed by moving towards a Net Zero future and how using a SoS approach can help both solve and speed up these transitions.
The connection queue problem was selected to move forward within the mission with work starting on in-depth stakeholder and process mapping, as the subject lends itself to being considered through a SoS architecture approach.
The next stages of the work will be to engage with the members of the SEN Impact Advisory Committee to engage our industrial partners for developing the SoS architecture further and how it can be used for solving the complex problems of the connection queue and decarbonisation of heat.
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