Evolving energy systems must deliver electricity, heat, transport for residential use and meet the needs of multiple industrial sectors. A whole-system approach accounts for the complex dynamic interactions between these components to meet economic, environmental and social goals.
Through his role in the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme, Professor Hawkes has delivered evidence-based modelling to assist low- and middle-income countries in aligning their energy development goals with climate objectives. This programme provides decision-makers with tools and insights to design energy systems that balance economic growth with low-carbon development, ensuring that countries can expand energy access while mitigating emissions. His work demonstrates that diversifying energy sources—such as integrating renewable energy, hydrogen, and storage technologies—significantly enhances energy resilience while maintaining cost-competitiveness. Professor Hawkes’s modelling framework incorporates dynamic interactions between technological, economic, and environmental parameters. At the core of his approach lies integrated energy system modelling, which captures the dynamic interactions between different sectors—such as electricity, heat, transport, and industry—within a whole-system framework. The work SC does in this space is inherently interdisciplinary, recognizing that energy systems extend beyond technical considerations to include economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
