Transpower’s Demand Response Programme Open for Business

Media release

24 August 2015

Transpower’s Demand Response Programme Open for Business

Transpower today launched its latest Demand Response Programme and is inviting energy consumers to be involved. The programme targets specific areas throughout New Zealand, and also encourages new sectors including agri-business, campus-style organisations and businesses using battery-based technology to participate.

Through its Demand Response Programme, Transpower is able to manage peak demand by contracting consumers to manage their energy use, in return for a payment. Once accepted into the programme, participants can earn a recurring availability payment for committing to the programme, as well as a payment for reducing load during specific demand response events.

Transpower’s Demand Response Manager Quintin Tahau said that the programme is designed to build capability for demand response in areas where demand may constrain the transmission network in the future.

“Emerging technologies like demand response are playing an important role, not only for end-users who consume electricity, but also in how the National Grid is operated. Demand response can help us plan a grid that delivers smart, flexible, cost-effective solutions for all New Zealand electricity consumers.”

Until now, demand response has been primarily focused on traditional aggregate or industry providers and more recently, exclusively on commercial buildings.

“We are currently looking for participants located in South Auckland around Otahuhu and Wiri, as well as in Timaru, Oamaru and surrounding areas to participate in the programme. We’re also keen to talk to consumers involved in agribusiness like dairy farmers and irrigation companies, campus-based organisations like tertiary education institutions or hospitals, and organisations that are using or planning to use batteries, either for storage or as emergency power supply,” he said.

“For participants, demand response is a smart business decision that delivers a positive return. Reducing demand might mean using an alternative energy source, turning off non-essential appliances, or moving business activities outside the demand response event window. It may seem complex, but it’s a very easy process to be involved in.”

“The energy environment is continually changing and is still relatively uncertain in predicting future demand trends and growth. Using demand response allows us to defer costly transmission investment without compromising grid reliability or supply.”

Demand response is used by transmission companies around the world to help manage constraints and maintain lower charges for transmission services.

Those interested in applying for a place in the programme, or finding out more, can visit www.transpower.co.nz/demandresponse or download our free demand response app from the Apple store.

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