Systems Engineering Methodology

The project has been tasked to set out, and provide evidence for, the functions that will need to be performed in the future power system as a result of its on-going transformative change.

The primary focus is therefore on the functions that will be needed to manage the technical challenges facing the system in 2030 assuming that it achieves the outcome defined by the National Grid’s Gone Green energy scenario.

The analysis concentrates on the power system technical architecture and does not pre-empt consideration of who should deliver the functions or the governance to be applied. Where commercial considerations have been noted as influential, these have contributed to the identification of relevant functions but do not form part of the formal conclusions in this report.

The system engineering process applied to the project places functions at the heart of the analysis and considers them in the context of the four dominant time horizons:

• Investment planning
• Operational planning
• Real time operation
• Markets and settlement

Short statements are made (in draft requirement form) to explain why each function of interest is important when considering the way ahead for the power system. The impact of each function and factors affecting the timescales for its introduction are also summarised.

By identifying the functions already in place and comparing the need for extended or new functions, the analysis provides the gap analysis that helps understand the scale of the transformation required.