The Future Power System Architecture (FPSA) programme, a collaboration between the Energy Systems Catapult and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), has completed Phase 3 of its work.

The world of energy is in a period of rapid change.  The dynamic transformation of electricity is well underway. The trend towards decentralised energy, the advance of digital technologies and greater customer engagement is creating a ‘perfect storm’ for the transformation of our power system.

The FPSA programme is addressing this challenge. It is exploring ways to facilitate this transformation in an efficient and timely way that delivers value to customers. This requires a Whole System approach which, once proven in the power sector, should embrace all the energy vectors.

Key points

• A more agile change and governance approach is needed for the UK power system to ensure it is accessible, flexible and fit for the purpose of coordinating increasingly dynamic disruption in the sector.
• The Enabling Frameworks approach, developed by the FPSA programme, could provide the basis for more agile change and governance.
• The IET and ESC should work with BEIS, Ofgem and other stakeholders, and through energy sector initiatives, to explore how agile change could be integrated within the overall governance of the sector.
• An industry-wide consensus should be established on the need for and meaning of Whole Systems thinking.
• The IET and ESC should act as a catalyst for the urgent development and delivery of the thirty-five power system functions identified in FPSA Phase 1 work.