New Open Networks programme under way
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At the recent Regulatory Managers and Consumer Representatives’ meeting the Authority provided information on the Open Networks programme. We demonstrated a tool which shows network opportunities around New Zealand.
This new programme of work responds to the Innovation and Participation Advisory Group’s equal access advice earlier this year. It will identify ways to provide for the uptake of new technology, initially distributed energy resources, on distribution networks.
The Open Networks programme will be undertaking work to ensure distribution networks are flexible and open to emerging consumer preferences and new technologies, for example, greater use of distributed generation and electric vehicles.
This is a multi-year programme of work. In the first year, the Authority will:
- identify and make available information about network opportunities and congestion
- introduce network connection standards to support the industry.
We will engage with industry and other interested parties to further develop this tool and provide regular updates on progress.
Open Networks is part of the Authority’s wider programme of work to reduce inefficient barriers to the development and use of evolving technologies and business models across the supply chain.
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Update: Top Energy – Application for amendment to current exemption
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Top Energy Limited (Top) and Ngawha Generation Limited (NGL) currently hold an exemption from the obligation in section 76(2) of the Electricity Industy Act to comply with two of the arm’s-length rules in Schedule 3 of the Act. The exemption exempts Top and NGL, with certain conditions, from the requirement to comply with rule 9 and rule 10 of Schedule 3 of the Act.
One of the conditions limits the nameplate capacity of Ngawha Springs Power Station to 65 MW. Top has applied for an amendment to the exemption to increase this nameplate capacity to 75 MW. The current exemption expires on 1 November 2027. The Authority is also considering extending the exemption to the end of the power station’s resource consent (to 31 July 2052).
We have published a draft decision paper on this exemption, which is open for comment until Tuesday, 15 October 2019. Please email your feedback to marketoperations@ea.govt.nz with “Comments on Top Energy exemption amendment” in the subject line.
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Changes to supplementary data for stress tests
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We have updated the supplementary data participants use to make their quarterly disclosure statements under the stress test regime. The changes include updates to reflect changes in the grid and patterns of demand for electricity.
Any disclosing participants yet to submit their disclosure statements for the October-December 2019 quarter, and all disclosures for any future quarters must be made using the latest supplementary data.
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Reminder: Amendments to EIEPs come into force 1 October 2019
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On 1 October 2019, amendments to Electricity Information Exchange Protocols (EIEPs) 1-4,5B, 6-9, 11, and 12 will come into force. We have made these amendments to:
- add clarity and consistency to the EIEP formats and business requirements
- correct content where appropriate
- enhance usefulness by making some changes to functionality and business requirements.
If you are a trader or distributor, you should discuss these amendments with your technical staff and IT providers. We also encourage you to start modifying your systems to use the amended EIEPs.
We have set up a webpage with implementation memos and questions asked by participants about the amended EIEPs. The first memo contains up-to-date implementation details and links to the amended EIEPs.
You can send your EIEP implementation questions to marketoperations@ea.govt.nz.
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Withdrawn – decision on the causer of the 14 December 2018 under-frequency event
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We have withdrawn our final decision on the causer of the 14 December 2018 under-frequency event.
Due to an internal process error, one of the submissions received was not considered when finalising the causer decision. We apologise to all participants for any inconvenience caused by this error. We are reviewing our processes to avoid this happening in the future.
We will consider the three submissions received and make a final decision as soon as possible.
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TPM technical workshop presentation published
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The Transmission pricing methodology (TPM) technical workshop presentation is now available online.
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TPM questions and answers
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Thanks to everyone who has sent questions about the TPM issues paper. We consider this information useful to everyone interested in the issues paper and we have published questions and answers on our website. We will continue to add to these if and when we get more questions.
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Default Distributor Agreement consultation paper
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Please note, on 6 September 2019 the Authority updated the proposed Code amendment to include changes to Parts 1, 11 and 14 of the Code. These consequential amendments were omitted from the original documents in error.
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IPAG and MDAG Annual Reports published
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We have published Annual Reports for the Innovation and Participation Advisory Group (IPAG) and the Market Development Advisory Group (MDAG) covering the period July 2018 to June 2019.
The Annual Reports summarise each group’s progress against its work plan, as required under the IPAG and MDAG’s terms of reference.
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Trading conduct material considered by MDAG
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We have published material considered by the MDAG for its Review of spot market trading conduct provisions at four of its meetings in 2019. The material was presented by Concept Consulting and reviewed the impact of trading conduct enforcement action on spot prices. The material includes:
- a report that was considered at the 30 July 2019 and 4 September 2019 MDAG meetings
- three sets of slides presented at the 7 May 2019, 19 June 2019, and 30 July 2019 MDAG meetings.
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IPAG meeting papers published
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We have published the papers from the IPAG meeting held at the WEL Network offices in Hamilton on 15 August 2019. The IPAG worked through and started to develop solution options for their Access to input services project. They also heard presentations from WEL Networks and Waipa Networks.
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Planned Outage Coordination Process (POCP) review
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The system operator (Transpower) proposes to conduct a Planned Outage Coordination Process (POCP) review with a technical advisory group, through a series of monthly workshops commencing on Friday, 11 October 2019. Meetings will be held in Transpower’s Waikoukou office - 22 Boulcott St, Wellington.
The scope of the review will include, but is not limited to:
- review of the 6 business rules within POCP
- review and prioritise any areas of focus, including the provision of guidance and advice on technical design elements of POCP.
The terms of reference on the Transpower POCP webpage provide further details. Transpower is inviting industry participants to express their interest in joining the working group by emailing finn.roberts@transpower.co.nz.
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Transmission pricing methodology: 2019 Issues Paper
Ending: 01/10/2019 5pm
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Default Distributor Agreement consultation paper
Please note, the proposed Code amendment was updated on 6 September 2019.
Ending: 15/10/2019 5pm
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Level 7, Harbour Tower, 2 Hunter Street, PO Box 10041, Wellington 6143, New Zealand
Tel: + 64 4 460 8860 Email: info@ea.govt.nz
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