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Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Alpha project exploring digital solutions for Heat Networks.
I led the interaction design for an Alpha project with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), investigating how digital solutions could support the growth and efficiency of Heat Networks. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, we built on prior Discovery findings to prototype and test digital tools aimed at improving data transparency, user accessibility, and operational efficiency.
Through in-depth user research with key stakeholders — including local authorities, energy providers, and consumers — we identified key challenges in heat network adoption, data standardisation, and regulatory compliance. The Alpha phase focused on designing and iterating prototypes to validate the feasibility of a digital service that could enhance monitoring, increase adoption, and support decarbonisation goals.
Compliance checker & onboarding
I designed and iterated a flow for a Compliance Checker and Onboarding Flow, ensuring clarity and usability for different stakeholder groups. A key challenge was making it immediately clear whether users needed to comply with Heat Network regulations. Through multiple rounds of user research and testing, I refined the flow to improve navigation, accessibility, and comprehension.
To further validate our designs, I built a working flow in code, allowing for usability testing with real users. Accessibility testing ensured the solution met WCAG standards.
Statement of Applicability flow
I also designed and built the feasibility flow for the Statement of Applicability, a crucial step in registering a Heat Network. This flow helped users determine whether they needed to comply with regulations and guided them through the early stages of the registration process with clarity and confidence. A key challenge was ensuring that users could quickly assess feasibility and understand their next steps. By refining content, interactions, and accessibility, we created a seamless experience that provided regulatory clarity.
After submission, the Statement of Applicability was assessed by regulators, with feedback provided for any required adjustments. I designed the flow to ensure clarity on requirements, guiding users through necessary corrections with minimal friction. Through prototyping, testing, and iteration, I refined the process to streamline compliance, reduce back-and-forth, and help users efficiently meet regulatory standards.
