Comment by Kat Young, Energy Systems Nexus Technical Lead and Practice Manager at Energy Systems Catapult
Early-career colleagues from the Nexus explored energy system challenges and the future projects that could help address them
United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory, E.ON and Amazon Web Services fund the Energy Systems Nexus because there's real value in tackling shared challenges together - defining, funding and delivering a whole systems R&D programme in pursuit of a cleaner, more resilient energy system.
But that valuable spread of perspectives can bring its own challenge - getting everyone aligned isn't always straightforward. That's why we built the Structured Innovation Process (SIP), a guided method of turning a complex set of challenges into projects that the whole group can get behind.
Making room for a different point of view
Earlier this month, we welcomed early-career colleagues to our office in Birmingham for a fast-track version of a SIP, exploring energy system challenges and helping shape the future projects that the Nexus will fund to address them.
We worked together to pin down specific decarbonisation challenges, who they affect and what impact it has on businesses. We then grouped related issues together and dug into how they all connect together.
That let our group of early-career colleagues bring their own takes on our energy system to the table. Their perspective doesn't replace the technical, commercial, and institutional knowledge that comes with experience, but it complements it. We created a collaborative space for them to share their ideas and work together, without the risk of more experienced colleagues dominating or otherwise steering the conversation.
It was really refreshing, watching them blend their industry learning, a different relationship with emerging technologies, and new expectations about what collaboration and sustainability could look like.
Turning a seat at the table into real influence
I firmly believe that including diverse groups of people only works if they can help shape what happens next. So, we worked through the full arc: exploring the challenge, shaping it into a clear statement, generating project ideas, and picking the strongest concepts. The groups got the chance to present their ideas and explain to the rest of the attendees the importance of the challenge and the viability of their project concept.
The challenges discussed were wide-ranging: from supply chain issues and volatile geo-politics to the public perception of Net Zero and incentives for clean tech, to climate impacts on energy infrastructure.
Building capability and shaping projects
These project concepts will now feed straight into the Nexus's next round of SIP where they’ll be considered by Nexus partners for real future projects. But the value here goes beyond just the generation of ideas on the day.
Taking part in a live innovation workshop helps early-career colleagues see first-hand how an industry challenge turns into a research question, then a project concept, then something worth investing in.
Feeding their ideas to senior colleagues promises a fuller picture of the given challenges, and a stronger foundation to innovate from.
Together, they're proving what a Nexus is meant to be: different perspectives, working as one.
Want to join the Nexus and help us tackle energy challenges head on? Email: nexus@es.catapult.org.uk