Network-coordinated load management delivers significant value
The Upper South Island (USI) forum is proud to highlight the increasing value of network-coordinated load management, which is delivering improved electricity reliability, affordability, and sustainability for communities across the region, and helping to avoid further cost increases.
"By working together to coordinate flexible electricity loads such as water heating, we are providing real and measurable benefits to our communities," says Dayle Parris, USI forum spokesperson and Orion Head of Revenue and Regulation.
"Through network-coordinated management, we are optimising our use of infrastructure, keeping costs manageable for consumers and bolstering the resilience of our local power supply."
The forum commissioned a report Valuing upper south island load control by Concept Consulting to assess the benefits of coordinated hot water control by the Upper South Island Load Management Group.
Among other findings the report confirmed that before 2023, coordinated efforts reduced transmission costs for Upper South Island consumers by around $10 million annually. Since 2023, consumers have benefited from deferred infrastructure investment, with these advantages continuing through to 2028.
Additionally, past actions have ensured ongoing savings of about $2 million per year on residual transmission costs, although this benefit will gradually decrease over the coming decades.
"Not only are we making more intelligent use of our shared energy resources through collaboration, but we are also paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative energy future for the Upper South Island,” says Dayle.
“The savings generated by these coordinated efforts have benefitted household and business energy costs, creating value for everyone in our region."
The Upper South Island Load Management Group (USI LMG or LMG) is a collaboration between eight upper South Island electricity distribution businesses (EDBs) to jointly fund and work with a regional load management centre operated from Orion’s network control room in Christchurch. The Upper South Island Forum members are Orion, Marlborough Lines, Network Tasman, EA Networks, MainPower, Alpine, Buller Electricity and Westpower.