Just over 80% of New Zealand’s electricity grid is renewable energy and we want to keep increasing that number but there are some really simple things that can be done to improve it. Right now at times of peak load the nonrenewable power plants power up more by burning more oil, gas & coal just to service the peak loads during the day. Typically peak power demand is between 7am — 11am and 5pm — 9pm
However, with the 21st century comes a need for more modernization to keep up with the changing demands of consumers. The bit that requires immediate attention is the ability of Electricity Distribution Businesses (EDBs) to regulate the power usage of high-current draw items such as hot water heating, electric car charging, and even space heating.
The ripple control system has been around since the 1950’s as a method used by electricity companies to remotely switch high-current draw devices off and on, such as hot water heaters. When the demand for electricity is high, the company sends a signal through the power lines, which activates a device in the hot water cylinder that turns it on or off. This used to be a great way to control demand when people used night store heaters and hot water cylinders but times have changed and the ripple system is still the same old system it was over half a century ago.
The ripple system is due for an upgrade because it is the only tool EDBs have that allows them to manage peak electricity demand by reducing consumption during high-use times. However, with the type of high-current draw devices has changed from space heaters to heat pumps and we have new equipment on the network that requires high-draw devices like electric cars and heat pumps. There is now a need for a more advanced system that can regulate power usage and provide greater control over energy consumption.
Consumers are increasingly using high-current draw items, such as electric cars, which can significantly impact the electricity grid. In addition, the increasing use of smart devices means that people can control equipment such as underfloor heating and electric car charging via the internet. However, there is currently no mechanism linking these smart devices to the EDBs. This lack of integration means that even if a consumer wants their electricity provider to temporarily turn off their air conditioning, underfloor heating or pause the charging of an electric car, the EDBs do not have the infrastructure to do so.
To solve this issue, EDBs need to invest in infrastructure that will allow them to regulate power usage of high current draw items. This infrastructure should include communication links between smart devices and EDBs, allowing the EDBs to regulate the power usage of high-current draw items such as electric car charging, hot water heating, and space heating. This would enable the EDBs to manage peak electricity demand more effectively, reduce the need for new infrastructure investment, and ultimately reduce electricity costs for consumers.
One example of how this technology could be utilized is through demand response programs. These programs allow consumers to voluntarily reduce their electricity usage during peak times, in exchange for incentives or lower electricity rates. However, to implement these programs effectively, EDBs need to be able to connect to smart homes and communicate with other high-current draw items and regulate their power usage.
Right now there is no software for me to connect to. Even if I wanted to voluntarily help the power companies by reducing my usage there is no software or notification method to say that they want me to reduce power. Also if there was such a software to gain mass adoption there needs to be an incentive to reduce the load and this could be as simple as discounts on electricity.
EDMs need to work together and create a unified standard that will be able to have an API that will work with smart equipment. If I load my dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer before I go to bed then the company can choose the best time for it to turn on. The same goes for water heating and heat pumps, if my underfloor heating or hot water cylinder was turned off remotely for 30% of the day I wouldn’t notice it but I would be reducing the peak load.
In addition to demand response programs, the ability to regulate power usage could also improve the reliability of the electricity grid. For example, during periods of high electricity demand, EDBs could temporarily reduce power usage for non-essential items, such as underfloor heating, to ensure that the grid remains stable and reliable.
The New Zealand electricity grid needs to keep up with the 21st century. EDBs must invest in software infrastructure that will allow them to regulate the power usage of high-current draw items such as electric car charging, hot water heating, and space heating. The creation of a unified protocol that uses open APIs would be a great start. This investment will improve the reliability of the electricity grid, reduce the need for new infrastructure investment, and ultimately reduce electricity costs for consumers. With this technology in place, the electricity grid will be better equipped to meet the changing demands of consumers and the challenges of the future.
