Fundamentals of the New Zealand Electricity Industry in 8 Hours Masterclass

This masterclass provides a comprehensive introduction to the New Zealand electricity industry, with a particular focus on the distribution sector. Participants will gain an understanding around how each of the key sectors of industry (including, generation, transmission, distribution, and retail) function both independently and interactively. Demonstrating how electricity is generated, transported, and then consumed, highlighting factors that influence daily, seasonal and long term demand patterns, leading participants to explore the typical electricity usage that New Zealand experiences. Participants will also gain insight and explore the roles of governing bodies/regulators that are there to regulate and influence and effect on the industry. Finally explore the different market operations that are present in the industry how the various electricity markets function to ensure an operational industry.

Building on this foundation, the course will examine the how the electricity sector is undergoing significant transformation. Changing from its historical large scale centralized and passive customer system to more distributed, dynamic and customer focused sector. Exploring the underlying reasons and drivers behind this transformation including, constant increase of electrification, uptake in distributed energy resources, changing customer behaviour, and emerging technologies. As well how the industry is responding with different solutions including, evolving technology of its own, system overhauls and, new sectors and markets forming in industry. Finally, participants will explore the key challenges facing the sector, including security of supply, affordability, climate resilience, and the integration of new technologies, and how these challenges are shaping the future of New Zealand’s electricity industry. This course should give you a baseline understanding of the industry in which you should allow you to further develop with the industry.