CIGRE UK: Whole Energy System Working Group
Introduction
This webinar aims to share and consult on the emerging findings of the CIGRE UK Whole Energy System Planning Working Group with CIGRE members and wider industry stakeholders. It also provides an opportunity to revisit the original purpose of establishing this initiative within CIGRE UK, in light of the rapidly evolving whole-system challenges shaping the net-zero energy transition.
The session will facilitate an open and engaging discussion on why a whole-system perspective is increasingly essential, as electricity, heat, hydrogen, transport, digital systems and wider infrastructures become more interconnected in their planning, operation and resilience.
We will present the methodology and initial insights developed to date, including a review of relevant CIGRE working groups, a high-level assessment of the R&D landscape, and broader industry developments. A key focus of the webinar will be interactive discussion—seeking views on priority areas, identifying potential “quick wins”, and exploring practical actions that CIGRE could take collectively in the next phase.
The webinar will be of particular interest to professionals involved in system planning, operations, policy, regulation, markets, digitalisation and infrastructure strategy, especially where cross-sector coordination is becoming increasingly critical.
Agenda
12:00 (noon): Welcome and opening remarks – James Yu (CIGRE UK Technical Committee Chair)
12:05: Keynote – Angus Paxton (NESO, Head of Gas and Whole Energy Network Development)
12:15: Presentation of Methodology and Initial Findings – Cheng Chen (Lead of the Working Group, Head of Offline Modelling NESO) and Weiqi Hua (Birmingham University, Assistant Professor)
12:40: Online stakeholder questionnaire and open discussions – chaired by Bless Kuri (SC C1 Regular Member, SSEN, Director of System Engineering and Investment)
13:00: Wrap up and next steps – Cheng Chen and Weiqi Hua.