‘System-wide map’ to help guide electricity sector’s digital future

The Electricity Authority has released a system-wide map that outlines a collective vision for a digitalised electricity system, along with the possible actions that could help get us there.

A digitalised electricity system harnesses the power of data and new technologies to deliver a reliable electricity supply at lowest cost, while putting more power in the hands of consumers.

New Zealand’s shift towards a digitalised electricity system has already begun. Even in the past few years advancements in technology and data-driven systems have changed how people use power, manage costs and interact with the electricity system.

For example, it’s now commonplace for people to set their home EV charger on a timer to make use of cheaper off-peak rates, which were unavailable to many households five years ago.

To help encourage collaboration across the sector, the system-wide map presents a collective vision for how to progress towards a more digitalised electricity system.

It includes 56 short, medium and long-term actions – some potential, some underway – across the sector, based on feedback from 60 innovators, industry players, energy users, government agencies, cybersecurity specialists and consumer advocates.

We want people to use the map to identify opportunities, encourage collaboration and take action. This will help drive towards a digitalised electricity system that is more affordable, secure and resilient – and benefits all New Zealanders.

The map will also help inform the Authority’s future work.

The system map is available as a webpage and PDF.

We will monitor progress and update the system map as needed.

Read the supporting note for information on the Authority’s current thinking, the feedback we received from others, and further explanation of the initiatives, enablers and principles that underpin a digitalised electricity system.

For more information, visit ea.govt.nz/digitalisation.

Authority projects underway

We are already progressing a number of initiatives to support a more digitalised electricity system. These include:

• consulting on proposals to improve ‘network visibility’ where more information about network constraints and capacity is made publicly available and is accessible
  
• accelerating innovation as part of our Power Innovation Pathway, by considering regulatory sandboxes for the sector to test policy and innovative ideas in the electricity market under relaxed regulatory requirements
  
• developing product and consumption data standards to improve data exchange between consumers, retailers and others to support new products and services
• working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment on the development of an 'open electricity regime' underpinned by the consumer data right for electricity
  
• requiring retailers to use half-hourly metered data for reconciliation purposes (instead of less accurate measures), which encourages retailers to pass on price signals to their customers to better reflect actual costs of electricity use.