Power Innovation Pathway

Tranche 2 Pathway initiatives

We're providing enhanced regulatory support to three high-value initiatives in Tranche 2 of the Power Innovation Pathway. These projects strongly align with our strategic outcomes and aim to reduce regulatory barriers, unlocking value for the electricity system and consumers.

Power Innovation Pathway tranche 2
Innovation

We have chosen three initiatives in the second priority round of our Power Innovation Pathway.

These initiatives were selected based on whether they presented genuine innovation, aligned with our strategy and priorities, have a regulatory barrier (real or perceived), are planning a trial that could encounter such barriers, or have the potential to help shape the Authority’s work programme.

Powering change

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Explore these case studies to learn about the Tranche 2 Pathway initiatives driving benefits for the electricity system and consumers.

Supporting our strategic outcomes

The Tranche 2 Pathway initiatives strongly align with our strategic outcomes to achieve a resilient and affordable electricity system for all New Zealanders:

  • A more affordable electricity system - by trialing energy sharing in communities and showcasing how demand-side flexibility and distribution system operation can help defer network investment.

  • More efficient use of system and consumer resources - by increasing demand-side visibility and trialing coordination of distributed energy resources.

Providing enhanced support

The enhanced support we're providing to the Tranche 2 initiatives is bespoke to the innovator’s needs. It will typically involve assigning a subject matter expert, or experts, from the Authority to work with the project.

Examples of enhanced regulatory support include:

  • providing specific support to help innovators understand certain clauses or parts of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010
  • supporting the scoping of a trial to ensure the project’s outcomes inform regulatory activities
  • acting as an observer to trials to connect the findings and perspectives to relevant Authority workstreams
  • helping identify any barriers in the Code and providing information on the process for any exemption applications that may be required.