Queenstown Electrification Accelerator
We're providing enhanced regulatory support to the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator as part of the Power Innovation Pathway.
Electrify Queenstown
Powering resilience and savings through smarter energy
The Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is a community-led electrification project with the goal of building an example of the 2050 energy system by 2030. It is showcasing how a smart approach to electrification, using demand-side flexibility and innovative pricing to save consumers money and boost regional resilience.
Flexibility
Smarter energy, lower costs
Queenstown is facing significant increase in demand for electricity, which means the power network is considering major upgrades. There is also a risk of a significant earthquake that could damage power lines and disrupt fuel supplies. Queenstown needs to rapidly evolve its energy system into an electrified and distributed system that can be managed smartly to increase affordability and regional resilience to external events.
The Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is pioneering a smart approach to electrification that uses demand-side flexibility and innovative pricing to defer costly infrastructure investments while saving consumers money.
About Rewiring Aotearoa
Rewiring Aotearoa is working on various projects across New Zealand and is using Queenstown to showcase its vision for the 2050 energy system - built by 2030 and tested in real-world conditions. It aims to create a model that can be replicated in other regions.
Rewiring Aotearoa is an independent non-profit advocacy organisation. It researches, communicates and demonstrates how to electrify the economy to deliver power bill savings, increased resilience and decreased emissions.
Power Innovation Pathway support
The Electricity Authority is supporting this initiative to foster innovation, and enable a more resilient and affordable electricity system for the long-term benefit of consumers.
Providing regulatory support
This project aims to identify and overcome commercial, technological and regulatory barriers to the deployment of innovative flexibility solutions at scale.
The Electricity Authority is providing regulatory support to help identify and remove barriers as they emerge eg, around import and export tariffs, demand response mechanisms and new pricing structures.
Informing the Authority’s work programme
Our Network Policy and Pricing teams are working with this project to make Queenstown a testing ground for flexible energy solutions and accelerate electrification for households and businesses.
We will use lessons learned to inform future regulatory frameworks that will benefit electrification across New Zealand eg, in network connections and flexibility markets.