Programme | Day Two

REGISTRATION AND COFFEE IN THE EXHIBITION

INVITE ONLY BREAKFAST | BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS: DELIVERING VERSATILE SERVICE OPTIONS AT LIGHTNING SPEED

Jacobs is at the forefront of the feasibility and design of battery energy storage schemes (BESS). Join this breakfast session to enjoy international insights on how to deploy BESS rapidly and discover the multiple services they can deliver, and how this technology can be applied in New Zealand.

Aaron Hochwimmer – senior director of operations, energy & power APAC, Jacobs

Sponsored by   

WELCOME FROM THE DAY TWO CHAIR

Madison Reidy – host and executive producer, Markets with Madison | NZME

INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS | BATTERY NETWORK INNOVATION

Network businesses play an important role in the supply and management of electricity. Ausgrid operates one of the largest distribution networks in Australia and has an ambitious strategy to become a network platform that makes electricity accessible for all. This presentation covers how Community Batteries play a vital role in realising this strategy by supporting network operations, enabling Energy-Storage-as-a-Service, and ultimately helping to facilitate the energy transition while delivering cost saving to customers.

Felix Keck – commercial director - distributed energy storage, Ausgrid

SMART POWER MANAGEMENT WITH IoT

Internet of Things (IoT) technology is providing innovative solutions for smart power management. In this session, Rob will share insights from global deployments that are successfully providing network operators with:

• Visibility of ageing infrastructure
• Visibility of the changing nature of types of loads and supply (resistive/inductive)
• Managing dynamic 2-way flow of electricity
• Support with improving SAIDI/CAIDI
• The ability to improve the speed of decisions with near real-time performance insights

Rob Zagarella – founder & CEO, NNNCo

NNNCo is Australia’s leading LoRaWAN network operator, providing a scalable IoT network service and platform to enable enterprise-grade solutions for businesses and government.

Sponsored by

PANEL | LEVERAGING ASSETS AND BLURRING THE LINES

The coordination and cooperation of generators, distributors and retailers has the potential to reduce the overall cost of the energy transition, through the efficient use of existing assets and those projected to enter the market. So, what have we learned to date through the trials and work already completed, what is underway and what is required to unlock the full potential of flexibility and cooperation? 

Panelists: 
Evie Trolove – head of market and customer innovation, Orion 
Dr Marcos Pelenur – chief executive, EECA
Nick Haines – chief operating officer, Electric Kiwi
Jeremy Levy – business improvement & innovation lead, Mercury

Facilitator: James Tipping – GM market strategy / regulation, Vector

POWERING UP: NEW ZEALAND'S OPEN ENERGY FUTURE

The Middleware Group will share their insights on how organisations typically navigate the open journey being mandated by the Consumer Data and Product legislation. Drawing on our lessons from Open Banking in NZ and Australia plus our experience leveraging international standards for Open Health, we will share our vision on how Open Energy could help New Zealanders securely interact and thrive in a connected world.

Tina Groark – practice lead, product manager and strategic advisor, Middleware
Lee Mauger – chief disruptor, Middleware
Swithin Foote – practice lead, Middleware

Sponsored by  

MORNING BREAK AND NETWORKING IN THE EXHIBITION

OPEN STAGE | A ROCK-SOLID FOUNDATION FOR NZ’S ENERGY TRANSITION

Aspiring Materials’ groundbreaking technology produces critical minerals and essential materials for the energy, infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing sectors from a single rock feedstock.

The Christchurch based cleantech’s innovation can support NZ’s energy transition with carbon-free critical energy minerals and materials of magnesium metals and nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxides, as well as generate green hydrogen.

All produced locally, this homegrown innovation builds local resilience with future forward skilled jobs and a reduced risk of supply chain disruptions and dependencies on volatile international markets.

Come and learn how Aspiring Materials is a key enabler for NZ's low-carbon energy transition.

Dr Chris Oze – co-founder / chief science officer, Aspiring Materials

STREAM 1 - RAKAIA

STREAM 2 - CONWAYS

Stream chair:
James France – legal counsel, Meridian

DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE: SHAPING NEW ZEALAND'S ELECTRICITY SECTOR

Our sector is evolving fast and the Electricity Authority is making sure the right voices are shaping these changes. All New Zealanders have a stake in our electricity system, and understanding their needs is key to creating a fair and resilient sector. In this session, you'll hear from multiple voices within the sector, showcasing how inclusive engagement leads to innovative solutions and better decision-making. We'll also share updates on our priority projects and how we're working to future-proof the sector in line with New Zealand's changing landscape and the needs of electricity consumers.

Sarah Gillies – chief executive, Electricity Authority

ROUND TABLES

Break off to different tables running individual discussions. Current topics include:

1. Power Purchase Agreements – Chapman Tripp
2. Navigating Consenting Law Reforms – Chapman Tripp
3. The many flavours of demand flexibility for large energy users – MEUG and Simply Energy
4. Building resilience in energy supply – Transpower
5. Unlocking and unifying workforce development – Energy Skills Aotearoa and EEA
6. Shifting the dial on gender equality in the energy sector – Mana Wāhine and Transpower
7. A more decentralised electricity system – Electricity Authority
8. Negotiating an equitable transition through Community Energy Activators
9. Open Banking to Open Electricity: Unlocking key strategies for success – Middleware
10. Skills and Knowledge Mapping – Transferability v Specialisation – Carbon and Energy Professionals New Zealand
11. Collaborative approach to residential hot water control  – Powerco

ENERGY MIX | HYDROGEN

Clean hydrogen demand is projected to increase significantly by 2050 and could account for up to 73% of total hydrogen demand. What’s behind the scenarios delivering these projections and what is the “real” story about clean hydrogen? This session will review the global hydrogen situation and opportunities for Aotearoa.

Dr Linda Wright – chief executive, New Zealand Hydrogen Council

ENERGY MIX | GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE:  FROM LOW TEMPERATURE TO SUPERHOT

At one end of the spectrum new supercritical or “superhot” geothermal energy technology has significant potential to provide baseload energy for Aotearoa. At the other end, relatively lower temperature geothermal direct heat can drive commercial heat pumps and other industrial processes efficiently and economically. This presentation will cover the latest news in both areas.

Kennie Tsui – chief executive, New Zealand Geothermal Association

ENERGY MIX | BLACK WOOD PELLETS

In February 2023 Genesis successfully completed a biomass burn trial at Huntly Power Station. Now with increasing gas supply uncertainty, new political focus, and a growing coalition of the willing, what’s the potential for an indigenous black wood pellet industry to displace thermal coal?

Dave Binnie – Business Development Manager – Biomass, Genesis Energy

LUNCH BREAK AND NETWORKING WITHIN THE EXHIBITION

Sponsored by 

OPEN STAGE | A SMART PANEL IN EVERY HOME

Transforming Energy Management for a Sustainable Future.

• Smart Panel as enabler of a better home energy experience
  • Electricity cost savings
  • Unmatched safety and electrical risk reduction
  • Streamlining the electrified / green home
• Smart Panels as infrastructure
  • Demand response enablement
  • Demand flexibility across "fleets" of panels
  • Impact on infrastructure needs

Alex Cappy – ceo, Basis

OPEN STAGE | RETAILERS, THE OBVIOUS AGGREGATORS

Customer Demand Side Flexibility with open communication standards.

Demand-side flexibility will be essential in the electricity transition. As consumers invest in more distributed energy resources, hear how open, interoperable software standards can be used now to ensure that Retailer choice is always available to the consumer.

• The role of the "Flexibility Coordinator" (aggregator)
• Projects underway in New Zealand that are testing the value of flexibility
• New Zealand and UK regulatory views on accessing consumer-owned resources
• What are the leading open, international communications standards that will unlock flexibility value
• The Energy Networks Association proposed common Load Management Protocol

Terry Paddy – managing director, Cortexo

STREAM 1 - RAKAIA

STREAM 2 - CONWAYS

PANEL | INVESTOR INSIGHTS 

It is essential that we encourage more and faster investment in the energy system to allow us to build a productive economy on the back of affordable and secure energy. What is making New Zealand attractive to investment currently, and what are the levers we have to incentivise further investment faster? 

This panel assembles a range of finance and investment leaders to analyse the current challenges and opportunities for energy infrastructure funding in Aotearoa. 

• Encouraging more and faster investment 
• Geopolitical considerations 
• Navigating and managing risk 
• FID hurdles including the use of PPAs 
• Exploring investor priorities 

Panelists:
Hayden Mackenzie – investment manager, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
Yukio Mashimo  – president, Obayashi Clean Energy New Zealand
Kevin Hart – chief executive, New Zealand Wind Energy Association
Arnab Pal – president, Clean Infrastructure Advisors and chief executive, Policy Pulse

Facilitator:
Madison Reidy – host and executive producer, Markets with Madison | NZME

PANEL | PROSPECTS FOR LARGE SCALE ENERGY USERS 

If you are an energy intensive industry, then managing that input cost and availability becomes paramount. As we look towards winter 2025 managing input expenses against profitability will be a significant challenge for us to collectively manage.

• Whose role is it to ensure that energy costs are fair and reasonable, and that supply is secure? 
• For those working to decarbonise, what are the options? 
• How can we rework the challenge to take advantage of lower cost intermittent generation when it is available?
• What role can government policies play in supporting industries during energy shortages and promoting sustainable energy practices?
• And how does the use of renewable energy sources by an organisation enhance its global competitiveness? 

Panelists:
Linda Mulvihill – general manager of energy & climate, Fonterra
Darren Gilchrist – energy manager, Oji Fibre Solutions
Pauline Martin – senior energy manager, Datagrid
Stew Hamilton – chief executive, Mercury

Facilitated by:
Jen Nolan – director, At Large 

MAIN PLENARY - RAKAIA

PRIZE DRAWS

PANEL | IS THE MARKET WORKING? 

The extreme pricing volatility experienced over winter 2024 led to the closure of several large industrials. A swift response from the Government saw the establishment of the energy competition task force, tasked with improving resilience and put downward pressure on prices by encouraging more and faster generation investment. The ability to draw on large scale demand-response and a relatively mild winter kept things in balance, given the shortage of thermal fuel in 2024, but the market reacted and arguably took its toll. What did we learn from this experience and is the market delivering the outcomes we want or just working as expected?

Panelists: 
Huia Burt – chief executive, Electric Kiwi 
Babu Bahirathan – chief executive officer, Nova Energy
Dr John Small  – chair, Commerce Commission
Mike Roan – chief financial officer, Meridian
Anna Kominik – chair, Electricity Authority
 
Facilitated by: 
Toby Stevenson – consulting director, Sapere Research Group 

CLOSING ACTIVITY

DOWNSTREAM 2025 CONCLUDES