Exploring Levels of 'Connected Happenings' - Visioning and Architecture for Transforming the Electrical Power System 

This is a talk about systemic methods in practice. Roger and Jane have been addressing the architecture for future GB electrical power systems in various ways over the last three years. This talk will bring SCiO up to date on progress since their previous SCiO talk, in October 2013, on a distributed electricity architecture. They will address their experiences of grounding a wholly systemic approach and the learning which has ensued.

Topics will range from visioning, through architecture, based on Process Oriented Systems Design (POSD) and the Viable System Model (VSM), to agile approaches, communication, the links between creativity and abstraction, teamwork, engagement and facilitation all from a systemic perspective. These topics will be backed up by examples from community energy, Integrating for Life (a UK government supported feasibility study), responses to government consultations and papers for the Institute of Engineering (IET) and the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum.

About the Authors

Roger Duck (roger.duck@mapsar.co.uk) is a self-employed consultant, facilitator, researcher and interim manager, focussed mostly on strategic planning for technology infrastructure. In 2012-13 he led a review of regulatory issues for smart energy in Europe (www.fi-ppp-finseny.eu). He was awarded a PhD in 1994 for his research related to controlled nuclear fusion.

Jane Searles is a self-employed systems practitioner, specialising in facilitation, methods and shared model development. This is often part of the visioning and organisational architecture development. Jane worked for around 35 years in the IT industry (ICL and Fujitsu) as a business architect and analysis on the boundary between customer business and technical solution providers.