Data-driven partnership adds value to Nelson ElectricitySponsored
Future-proofing your network doesn't have to mean more infrastructure or personnel. Nelson Electricity’s four-person team transformed their operations — all through use of their smart meter data.
Finding the Right Solution
The team at Nelson Electricity was searching for a solution that would provide value quickly for their small team. They also wanted a tool that could adapt over time, as the network scaled up.
Operationally, they wanted to change how they monitored their LV network, shifting away from a process that relied on conducting manual measurements each winter. Viewing the network in real time would also enable them to validate their processes for new connections and PV connections, with visibility of congestion.
“We were also interested in deferring capex by optimising our existing LV networks, using strategies like phase balancing or load shifting,” says network manager James Walton
While investigating suppliers, they found the ideal solution would balance a range of standard tools as well as offering the option to build more customised tools later. It was also important that the chosen solution could be deployed without adding resources to the team.
“We felt Hiko was best placed to provide this,” says Walton. “They arranged the data handling from the MEP on our behalf, which reduced the amount of work we had to do in the beginning – a big positive for us.”
“The team guided us through so no additional resourcing was required for setup on our end.”
From left to right: Calvin Varney (tech lead, Hiko), Natasha Gillison (product manager, Hiko) with Phil Goodall (CEO) & James Walton (N\network manager) at Nelson Electricity.
Achieving quick wins and solving complex issues
From the initial discovery meeting, Hiko moved to achieve some quick wins with the customised options Nelson Electricity wanted, as well as deploying the standard suite of tools promptly.
“Almost immediately we found some faults in our network that would have been almost impossible to see without the smart meter data and a platform to view that data,” says Walton.
Typically, locating and fixing a high impedance fault would be a time-consuming and costly process. Instead, Nelson was able to use smart meter data in Hiko’s powerful visualisation tool to proactively manage their network, with confidence.
Read the full case study here.
Example of fault found using Hiko – neutral lug sitting on top of the conductor. The exposed copper should be fully inside the body of the lug.
Better results for less
Nelson Electricity is also getting better results, for less. They’re no longer confined to the status quo or limited by the costs of monitoring with temporary field equipment. The team can make changes in the field and measure the changes from their desks, cutting down hours and making it easier to try new solutions in general.
Informed planning for future growth
Beyond the quick wins, the team benefits from being able to see the overall health of their LV Network, supporting more accurate planning decisions. This visibility enables them to make informed decisions on new connections, DG Integration and EV usage.
Nelson Electricity is now focused on the future, looking to better serve its customers and community.
“Using Hiko, we’ve identified areas of our network that will need some capex investment to prepare for load growth. Being able to see this early sets us up for a more proactive approach to network reinforcement,” Walton says.
“We are better placed to tackle the upcoming industry challenges around changes in load types and profiles with the Hiko platform at our fingertips. And the ability for Hiko to support us as our requirements change is one of the biggest benefits to us and the community.”
About Hiko Energy Insights
Hiko Energy Insights has been collaborating with New Zealand EDBs to unlock the power of their smart meter data for over eight years. The Christchurch-based team works as partners for EDBs, focused on transforming and delivering data to enable more efficient network management. This data can be delivered through their intuitive platform, or the systems EDBs already use.
There’s no need to invest in IT infrastructure either – Hiko will store and process the data, which EDBs have full access to for as long as they need it.
Every network is unique, from infrastructure to data management practices. Hiko’s team works closely with each partner to provide flexible, tailored solutions that meet specific needs.
Learn more about partnering with Hiko here.