New Zealand - Smart Grids Analysis 2010

Synopsis

In February 2010 I chaired New Zealand’s first Smart Grid Summit, organised by Conferenz.

This event brought players together from the electricity industry, government, telecoms, IT providers, renewable energy companies, vendors and key user groups.

Prior to the summit it had already become clear that the major problem in New Zealand was a lack of a smart grid blueprint in relation to this essential national infrastructure. Nobody is currently taking leadership in the country; and this is certainly not helped by the fact that the electricity industry structure in New Zealand is rather unique. While the line companies (distributors) would accrue the greatest benefits from a smart grid, the retail companies are the ones that have been put in charge of the so-called smart meters.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. From not-so-smart meters to smart grids
• 3. What is a smart grid?
• 4. To move forward trans-sector policies are needed
• 5. Potential for international leadership
• 6. Social and economic benefits fall outside electricity industry
• 7. New Zealand Government subscribes to trans-sector thinking
• 8. Follow the leader – the industry will implement
• 9. Serious danger of making wrong decisions
• 10. Competition on top of the infrastructure
• 11. New Zealand Smart Grid Alliance
• 12. Other Reports