Low voltage data – EDB collaboration critical to successSponsored
In the evolving landscape of New Zealand's energy distribution, leveraging low voltage data from smart meters is opening up new avenues for EDBs. Thanks to the availability of raw meter data from leading MEP Bluecurrent, EDBs across the country are now able to explore and benefit from the availability of MEP data.
Over the past six months, we've witnessed an acceleration in growth within this space, propelled by the introduction of international companies to the NZ market. Their introduction has led to this sector's expansion, providing EDBs with unprecedented opportunities to explore and leverage LV data. Potential use cases are being imagined, and structured processes for requirements gathering are being developed. Industry bodies, including Ara Ake, have played a pivotal role through their decarbonisation challenge, bringing LV data and visualisation providers to the forefront.
HIKO Energy Insights has proudly witnessed an impressive level of collaboration that has and is continuing to contribute to development and innovation, pioneering a path towards a more sustainable and data-driven future. This progress is a direct result of the cooperative efforts of various stakeholders within networks, spanning all aspects of an EDB's operations. True collaboration goes beyond mere dialogue – it's about harmonising a variety of planning and operational perspectives, experiences, and skills. It’s about yielding tangible successes swiftly, thoroughly, and more efficiently than any single entity could achieve. As New Zealand's EDBs face the challenges of electrification and decarbonisation, such unity is not just beneficial but essential.
At the core of HIKO, collaboration serves as the driving force that brings together network engineers and planners from various EDBs. This partnership fosters a dynamic environment where professionals meet, share knowledge, engage in constructive debates, and work collectively to develop actionable data insights and tools. These collaborative efforts are designed to translate into concrete real-world improvements and provide strategic foresight for the participating EDBs. Andrew Stanton, fibre & technology manager at Network Tasman, who has nearly a decade of experience in the development of LV data solutions, reinforces the value of this practical application. He points out that: “it is through collaboration that we can discern the truly impactful data, separating it from the merely interesting. This focus ensures that our combined efforts are directed towards genuinely enhancing network operations and preparing for a future that is both sustainable and ready to meet emerging challenges.”
The collaboration-driven process of HIKO ensures that the data's statistical significance is upheld, fostering confidence in the insights derived from it. This confidence is paramount for EDBs to make informed, data-driven decisions that stray from legacy methods and embrace progressive change. At HIKO each EDB not only becomes part of a rich knowledge base but also gains immediate access to proven solutions and a community of proactive industry peers.
Current participants like Alpine Energy, Network Tasman, The Power Company Ltd, and WEL Networks among others, are a testament to the power of unity. It's an opportunity to move forward with certainty and benefit from the significant investments already made in developing these LV data solutions. Together, New Zealand's EDBs can gain real industry momentum, sidestepping the pitfalls of isolated efforts and sharing in the rewards of a united approach to LV data utilisation.
To be part of New Zealand’s premier low voltage data solution and to immediately enjoy the benefits of collaboration with HIKO, interested parties are invited to reach out to Rowan Olckers at 022 654 8315 or via email at rowan.olckers@smartco.co.nz
