In the evolving landscape of New Zealand's energy distribution, leveraging low voltage data from smart meters is opening up new avenues for EDBs. Thanks to the availability of raw meter data from leading MEP Bluecurrent, EDBs across the country are now able to explore and benefit from the availability of MEP data.

Over the past six months, we've witnessed an acceleration in growth within this space, propelled by the introduction of international companies to the NZ market. Their introduction has led to this sector's expansion, providing EDBs with unprecedented opportunities to explore and leverage LV data. Potential use cases are being imagined, and structured processes for requirements gathering are being developed. Industry bodies, including Ara Ake, have played a pivotal role through their decarbonisation challenge, bringing LV data and visualisation providers to the forefront.

A key training provider for the Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) in New Zealand is focusing its attention on programmes that meet employers' future needs, as the training sector undergoes another period of change.

Connexis, training provider for infrastructure trades including ESI, civil, telecommunications and water, has committed to working closely with employers both as an advocate for their needs as the government reviews the delivery of industry training, and to ensure the development of training programmes is consistent and relevant.

We are fortunate in New Zealand to have renewable energy sources providing most – 82 per cent – of our electricity. This includes hydro, geothermal, wind and solar.

The figure below shows the greenhouse gas inventory and breakdown of emissions by industry during 1990-2019. The energy sector was responsible for 42 per cent of gross emissions. This can be categorised into sub-groups like transport, other sources of energy, and electricity, their respective contributions being 20 per cent, 17 per cent and 5 per cent of gross emissions. Though our electricity industry is a small contributor compared to other industries, there is a huge opportunity to decarbonise its sector.

A collaboration between WMAC and Smartco gives EDBs even more low voltage network insights in a single solution.

Two-way flows and a host of new loads were never allowed for in network design. When investment was ‘cheap’ and New Zealand’s low voltage distribution networks could overspecify transformers and other infrastructure, it was perhaps inconceivable that the day would come so quickly when they could not accommodate decarbonisation and electrification with available resources. As the predicted bow wave approaches, the same ‘gold plating’ approach to distribution infrastructure is this time simply unachievable for EDBs, and more sophisticated operational and planning decisions are the only way forward. These decisions rely entirely on a class of asset that network managers are a lot less familiar with. The asset is not physical infrastructure, the asset is DATA.

The best of New Zealand’s cable jointers and line mechanics will be going head-to-head in Invercargill in September, showing off the skills that keep the country’s electricity connected.

Annual Connection 2023, hosted by Southland’s electricity management company PowerNet Ltd, in conjunction with Connexis | Te Pūkenga, will see cable jointers and line mechanic crews compete in events that put their workplace skills to the test.

This year’s event will be held 19-21 September at Donovan Park in Invercargill, with electrical supply crews travelling from different companies around the country to participate.

Northland has a great reputation as a place where the pace of life is just a bit more laid back. The hustle and bustle – the big city stresses – seem to just drift away the more you drive North. But, don’t be fooled by the feeling of calm that washes over you as make your way around Whangārei and its coastal surrounds. This is no sleepy backwater. In fact, big things are happening in the Northland neck of the woods – things that are set to be transformational to the region’s power future.

At the heart of this push toward Northland’s new energy future is Northpower. Northpower’s electricity network spans the Whangārei and Kaipara districts, providing residential and business customers with a safe, secure, and reliable electricity distribution service. That said, Northpower is by no means a business to sit happily in the ‘status quo’ comfort zone. Their focus is firmly on the future – something clearly evident in the recent update to their Asset Management Plan.

In April, New Zealand energy services contractor Electrix began operations under its new name, Omexom.

In 2014, Electrix was acquired by VINCI Energies, a global leader in the energy sector with 90,000 employees operating in 57 countries worldwide. With this name change, Electrix strengthens its integration and affiliation with Omexom, the VINCI Energies brand dedicated to energy infrastructure.

Founded in New Zealand in 1955, Electrix established itself as a leading provider of engineering, construction, and maintenance services to asset owners in the electricity and gas utility, industrial, commercial, resources, and infrastructure sectors.

The covered single conductor forms the basis of all MV covered conductor systems. The covered conductor system, although not a touch-safe screened cable system, is designed to provide protection from initiation of flash-overs due to clashing of conductors, bird or animal incursions, and tree branches or debris which has blown or fallen on to the line, especially in conditions of severe weather and high pollution.

Spacer cable systems provides the highest form of reliability on Distribution networks. The compact configuration and the placement on one side of the pole reduces the exposure to trees. When trees or branches do come down (as shown below) the messenger wire will support the cables – ensuring uninterrupted service; until crews can get to them.

With wind recognised as a key source of renewable energy in New Zealand, that will help enable decarbonisation of the energy sector and help the country reach its net zero climate change target, wind farms represent a growing and exciting industry to be a part of.

A significant number of new wind farms are expected to be built over the next 30 years with forecast capacity increasing from 940 megawatts in 2022 to 6500 MW by 2050. With an average wind farm capacity of 100 MW, that’s around another 55 wind farms.

TotalEnergies is one of the key leaders in lubricants across the global energy landscape. TotalEnergies NZ has a range of high-quality dedicated lubricants for wind turbines, hydropower, power plants (gas, biomass, geothermal and solar). When it comes to keeping equipment reliable, reducing maintenance downtime, and optimising maintenance cost and productivity, TotalEnergies NZ provides the best cost-benefit solution to its customer.

TotalEnergies NZ is the country’s third-largest oil company, and the exclusive importer and distributor of lubricants from leading global energy producer, TotalEnergies.

Setting greenhouse gas targets is one thing. Meeting them is another. That’s why Jacobs has created Net Zero Labs. Net Zero Labs is a tailored workshop process providing clients the opportunity to draw on Jacobs’ global network of subject matter experts to pave out smart, tangible roadmaps towards their net zero commitments.

To find out more visit https://www.jacobs.com/net-zero-labs

The devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has demonstrated how essential a robust electrical supply industry workforce is to keep New Zealand connected and operational in times of crisis, says the executive director of ESI training provider, Connexis | Te Pūkenga.

Kaarin Gaukrodger, executive director of Connexis | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, says Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) tradespeople and apprentices have been working through the weather elements to reconnect cut-off communities and repair broken infrastructure.