Accelerating NZ’s energy transitionSponsored
To meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5˚ C temperature rise above pre-industrial levels, the New Zealand Government pledged in October 2021 to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This target involves all sectors, not just energy, however grid infrastructure will play a vital role in the transformation process as electricity will become the backbone of the entire energy system.
Making progress towards a low emissions future brings significant challenges, including the sheer scale of infrastructure and skilled workforce required to deliver large and complex projects, and the need to balance technical requirements and costs with delivering sustainable outcomes for future generations. Digitisation will be critical for overcoming the complexity of New Zealand’s energy challenges.
The energy transition requires strong collaboration and engagement. As the pioneering technology leader, Hitachi Energy collaborates with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future – for today's generations and those to come. The company participates in collaborative groups and long-term partnerships, contributing to sustainable development and providing the transformational, eco-efficient technologies needed to create real impact for our customers and society. At Hitachi Energy our purpose is advancing a sustainable energy future for all.
According to Transpower in its submission to MBIE, “we will need to build as much new generation in the next 15 years as we have in the last 40”.
This will require significant investment in emerging technologies across the power grid and delivered at an unprecedented pace. A step change in outcomes will require full industry collaboration and business transformation to adapt to the new norm.
New Zealand will also require tens of thousands of people to build the infrastructure needed across the sector in the next five years alone. Immigration policy, an aging and diminishing workforce and competition with the rest of the world for the same skills, present key challenges for the industry to overcome.
These challenges, coupled with the electricity sector in New Zealand’s preference for air insulated substations, suggest that the country’s sustainability goals may not be achieved.
HVDC revolution
Hitachi Energy has a proven track record of overcoming challenges in the electricity sector and adapting to the needs of the New Zealand energy industry, including the introduction of its pioneering high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology.
This technology formed part of the 600 MW HVDC Interisland Link between Benmore (in the South Island) and Haywards (in the North Island) commissioned in 1965. The bipolar 600-megawatt (MW) link with mercury arc valves was the third link of its kind in the world operating at voltage and current levels significantly higher than previously attempted.
In 1992 further upgrades were made to the original HVDC link so that it became paralleled onto a single pole (Pole 2). New converter stations were installed, and new submarine cables were laid across the Cook Strait. The new thyristor based HVDC Pole 2 was commissioned and operated alongside the original link, increasing capacity to 1040 MW.
The original link was decommissioned in 2012 after 47 years in operation, then in 2018 the Pole 2 HVDC link was upgraded with the latest control system technology, which was commissioned in March 2020.
Today Hitachi Energy is building on this remarkable heritage to tackle today's energy industry challenges, balancing social, environmental, and economic value.
Getting to net-zero carbon emissions
Mirroring the global experience, New Zealand’s overarching goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is driving demand for eco-efficient products, services and solutions across the power value chain. In response Hitachi Energy launched the EconiQ™ portfolio, which delivers exceptional environmental performance compared to conventional solutions.
EconiQ™ transformers are co-created with customers and contribute additional environmental value in the areas of decarbonisation, enhanced safety for people, protection of ecosystems and responsible use of resources across the transformer’s life cycle.
EconiQ™ high-voltage portfolio eliminates sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a greenhouse gas, with scalable solutions for the lowest carbon footprint. Hitachi Energy has announced an accelerated R&D roadmap for an eco-efficient high-voltage portfolio that includes live tank breakers, dead tank breakers, hybrid switchgear and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). A key milestone is the EconiQ GIS at 420-kilovolt expected for release at the end of 2022. It will be the world’s first alternative for GIS that includes a circuit-breaker for power transmission network, therefore significantly lowering the environmental impact.
In New Zealand there is already an installed base of 72.5 kV live tank breakers bringing sustainable benefits for the electricity industry and the community.
Multifunctional solutions
Globally, electricity network operators are leveraging the benefits of modular and highly integrated prefabricated switchgear solutions that are manufactured by Hitachi Energy. Integrated Multifunctional Products (IMP) are customized, factory assembled solutions, offered as Multifunctional Modules (MFM) and Integrated Gas-insulated Switchgear Applications (IGA). Both options offer a quicker process from design to commissioning while reducing installation times and civil works requirements.
IGA in prefabricated housing
Hitachi Energy’s plan for addressing the urgency of the global energy transition
Hitachi Energy’s Sustainability 2030 plan outlines our commitments to act and drive business in a sustainable way. Based around four pillars: Planet, People, Peace and Partnerships, our strategy draws from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which each pillar’s targets push our business to contribute social value, environmental value and economic value.
As set out in its Sustainability 2030 plan, Hitachi Energy has just announced that it has achieved its first-step target to achieve 100 per cent fossil-free electricity in its own operations, stepping up the pace towards carbon-neutral. Through Sustainability 2030, Hitachi Energy aims to achieve carbon-neutrality in our own operations by 2030 and to reduce its emissions along the value chain by 50 per cent together with customers, partners, and suppliers.
Sustainable partnerships
As a critical infrastructure provider, Hitachi Energy has a team of local experts located across New Zealand, backed by an extensive global network of around 38,000 people in 90 countries.
The energy transition will require strong collaboration and engagement, with industry players coming together to co-create solutions to overcome challenges.
There are many pathways towards a carbon-neutral future and together with our customers and partners, we are advancing a sustainable future for all.
Find out more about Hitachi Energy’s EconiQTM, HVDC, MFM, IGA, and prefabricated substation solutions.