Energy Top Sector

The Energy Top Sector is an important player in innovations in energy transition and sustainability. We made the playing field and the missions clear in an interactive visualization.

Entrepreneurs, researchers, education, social organizations and governments are working on techniques and methodologies to achieve climate goals. With the latest insights, technologies, solutions in design and use, Energy Top Sector wants to connect energy innovation to solving challenges in society.

In order to clarify this for all the different parties involved, the organization asked Flatland to make the playing field visible.

See the result

Take a look!

A huge sustainability challenge lies ahead

This requires innovative and organizational capacity with new and existing technology. The transition is not about the technologies and methodologies themselves, but above all about making them applicable for social goals. To keep an eye on social challenges, the Top Sector established Multi-Year Mission-Driven Innovation Programs (MMIPs).

But what exactly does everyone understand by the programmes, missions and themes?

In the first Clarity-session, we made all components and coherence visible.

Collaboration between experts requires a common language

Top experts are involved in all innovation assignments; people who have tremendous expertise in a specific area. And with all those specialists, cohesion and a common language are more than necessary. So that the social missions can take center stage and people do not get stuck in their own jargon and methodologies.

We looked for overlap between the wide variety of missions, visions, themes, expertise and jargon. Visualization is a powerful tool to get to a shared image and language. We did sessions with all parties – separately and together – to accomplish 26 visuals and one joint interactive visualization.

In the Story-session we design a visual story.

Similarities clear by the same format

Everything in the same format was quite a challenge. It seemed like a “round peg in a square hole” at times. Of course it was easier to make separate visuals, but using the same grid makes all the similarities visible. We designed all 26 different themes and missions using the same format. This forces all specialists to use a common language.

Together with all teams we visualized their playing field, and that became an interactive visual. The missions are not put into separate pamphlets, but it has now become one book with several chapters.

Process at least as valuable as result

Very valuable, such a visualization. But our real added value was developing the format together. Because that forced everyone to look at their assignment through a different lens, and to formulate their mission in a simple way. This ensures that all missions and stakeholders recognize themselves and each other better.

Tool remains a living document

But the project is certainly not finished yet. This format provides input for new insights and new collaborations. In this way, the drawings become a tool to continue working with, also in the coming years.