42. 10-02-21 A Systems Perspective on Net-Zero Infrastructure

Tonight, I attended a webinar hosted by the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Professor Gordon Masterton, Master of the Engineers Company introduced the event, then Dr Ana Mijic, a senior lecturer in Water Systems Integration at Imperial College, London gave a short presentation titled “A Systems Perspective on Net-Zero Infrastructure”. She is leading the development of novel systems tools focused on quantifying the interaction between water systems and sustainable development. The work aims to inform regulatory bodies and water industry if and how we can support economic growth whilst ensuring sustainable water use and flood and water quality management under future uncertainties. Through NERC Innovation Fellowship funding she worked with the UK Environment Agency to apply systems thinking and systemic approaches to develop principles of systems water management at a catchment scale.

Ana began her talk highlighting that heating in homes, offices and industry create around 32% of all UK emissions. She outlined the importance of moving to heat pumps, energy efficient buildings and the use of hydrogen. Then spoke about a systems level solutions including alternative cement binders with lower CO2 emissions for construction, changing flying altitude to reduce emissions from planes, and reducing abstraction during high precipitation events to improve water quality management.

The film displayed the architectural features of many of the splendid water fountains within the City, gave details of their history and the architects responsible for the structures. The film included fountains from medieval London right up to those recently installed by the City of London Corporation as part of the Plastic Free City Campaign. This was followed by a lively question and answer session. My thanks to Chris and the Charter Architects for an entertaining and interesting webinar.

Ana was then joined by a panel of distinguished experts chaired by Professor Jennifer Whyte, CSEI Co-Director, Laing O'Rourke to discuss her paper. The panel consisted of Daniel Johns FCIWEM, Head of Public Affairs, Anglian Water Services Limited, David Pinder, Executive Chairman, Mixergy; Lead for the Net Zero Carbon Industry Initiative, Construction Leadership Council,  Professor Mary Ryan, Professor of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Vice-Dean for Research, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College and Dr Nick Starkey, Director of Policy, Royal Academy of Engineering.