What we do

Streamlining connections

The EEA is collaborating closely with the Electricity Authority’s Network Connections Technical Group, and the ENA’s Future Networks Forum to improve the consistency and efficiency of network connections across the country.

 

Why is this work important?

Aotearoa New Zealand’s electricity supply system currently reflects a centralised, one-way model of energy distribution. But our system is changing to become more decentralised and featuring the increasing use of consumer energy resources, distributed across our electricity networks.

The way we connect new generation and these distributed, consumer energy resources to the network, has to change. The current process for network connections is considered costly and time consuming for parties. There is inconsistency across our different players and at times, a lack of clarity around how to connect efficiently.

The Streamlining connections programme aims to resolve these barriers to efficient connections through a three-party collaborative work programme which should:

  • ensure the Electricity Industry Participation Code (2010) and industry processes are aligned, standardised and complementary
  • better address the barriers to connection (eg, less variation in distributor processes, fewer process gaps)
  • allow industry to co-create or adopt processes that are considered best practice (eg, by adopting a distributor process that distributors and applicants consider most efficient)
  • allow for faster change and greater flexibility, as industry can respond more readily to connection challenges than the Authority.

What is the EEA doing?

Our role is to enable more efficient integration of distributed generation and load connections into the grid by developing a suite of technical guidelines for the connection and commissioning of distributed energy resources.

This work will set out the framework, principles, approach, and technical settings for distributors and applicants to connect and manage power quality.

Our programme of work will be delivered in several stages

  1. Our first technical guide will be for household level applications of consumer energy resources
  2. Our second guide will be for small-scale distributed generation connections of < 10kW
  3. Our third stage will be the delivery of a guide for medium-scale distributed generation connections
  4. Our final guide will be for large distributed generation connections

What is the EA doing?

Their Networks Connections Project, informed by advice from the Network Connections Technical Group, is about ensuring distribution networks use fit-for-purpose application processes and standards to operate efficiently, competitively and reliably. As a start, the work involves changes to Part 6 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010.

On 25 October 2024, the Electricity Authority released two consultation papers with proposals that aim to make the process to connect easier and faster, and with more efficient pricing. Getting the right rules in place will help lay the foundation to support more businesses and infrastructure to get connected, at an efficient price.

Learn more about the consultation on their website here. 

What is the ENA doing?

Their Future Networks Forum’s Connections Programme, is mapping the customer journey to connect. This includes identifying pain points and co-creating solutions to these  This work will deliver process improvements for distributors and access seekers to adopt (eg, better pre-application processes, queueing and managing policies).

Project milestones and updates

6 December 2024 EA consultation closes
25 October 2024 EA release two consultation papers with proposals that aim to make the process to connect easier and faster, and with more efficient pricing.

For more information