Systems Thinking Systems Leading PART TWO THE HYNET CASE STUDY

Major Projects Association

In the second of this Two-Part podcast, based on the Major Project Association seminar "Systems Thinking, Systems Leading", Andy Murray interviews David Parkin, Project Director of Hynet North West who gives an insight into how one enterprise has sought to manage the system complexity that comes with the challenge of decarbonisation. HyNet is not a legal entity, but rather a collaboration through which the partners are seeking to break the link between wealth generation and carbon emissions in the UK’s industrial hub of North West England.

The task faced by HyNet can be broken down into four key elements: Technical Integration, Commercial Structures, Planning and Consenting, Policy & Regulation. The programme needs to integrate two complex technical systems, one for hydrogen production, storage and distribution, the other for carbon capture and storage. Both systems involve new or rapidly evolving technology. Multiple consents also need to be secured, including several which are first Systems Thinking, Systems Leading of a kind for the UK.

Similarly, a series of commercial models need to be designed, sometimes from scratch, and their bankability established. Finally, the programme has to navigate multiple regulatory regimes not all of which currently exist. David has drawn four overarching lessons from his work to date: purpose, integration, relationships, and leadership. He touches on all of these elements in the podcast.