We have published a decision paper on proposed amendments to enable the system operator’s Dispatch Service Enhancement (DSE) project.

We have decided to amend the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) and the Approved Systems Document to allow the system operator to replace the GENCO system it uses to issue electronic dispatch instructions. GENCO is ageing, proprietary software that will soon become unsupported. The system operator’s DSE project will replace GENCO by adopting two alternate communication protocols for dispatch: Inter-Control Centre Communications Protocol (ICCP) and web services.

The amendments will improve competition, reliability, and efficiency by:

• ensuring secure and reliable delivery of dispatch communications
• reducing technical barriers to market entry and participation, including for new technologies and business models 
• increasing flexibility and reducing complexity of the dispatch service.

The decision paper and the system operator’s response to submissions are available on our website.

• Decision paper 
• System operator’s response to submissions 

We have published our final work programme report for the 2017/18 year and the report is available on our website.

Our work programme covers all of our significant projects for the year. We publish four-monthly reports on progress.

• Work programme report

We are investigating alleged breaches of the Code by Transpower New Zealand Limited as the grid owner. 

The investigation concerns three separate events when the grid owner’s protection settings were not selective during faults so that the minimum amount of assets was electrically disconnected. The assets disconnected were transformers at Invercargill, Bombay, and Southbrook grid exit points.

• Investigations

Due to the amount of interest we received for the registry user training, we are considering running three courses, one in Auckland on 17-18 October 2018 and two in Wellington, on 24-25 October and 14-15 November 2018.

This course is suitable for new registry users and market participants wanting to gain some knowledge of how the registry works. Attendees will engage in hands-on exercises and will receive practical experience in:

• the operation of the registry and lifecycle of an installation control point (ICP), including the registry roles of distributor, trader, and metering equipment provider

To express interest in attending the course, please email your name, contact details and preferred location to conference@ea.govt.nz by COB Monday, 20 August 2018 with ‘registry training’ in the subject line.

Please note:

• Total attendance numbers are limited and may also be limited by organisation.
• The course dates are only tentative at this stage. Please do not book flights and accommodation until you have received confirmation of attendance.