Two Counties Energy projects selected for Electricity Authority Power Innovation Pathway
Counties Energy’s drive to develop forward-thinking solutions that benefit both customers and the broader energy sector has been recognised through two groundbreaking projects being selected for the Electricity Authority’s Power Innovation Pathway (PIP) programme. The aim of the Electricity Authority’s PIP programme is to gain insights that can be applied across the sector as recipients accelerate their concepts to market.
Counties Energy’s Franklin Energy Sharing Pilot and Distributed System Operator (DSO) pilot in Karaka Harbourside have both been chosen for the programme, which will see the projects receive enhanced regulatory support from the Electricity Authority.
The Franklin Energy Sharing Pilot, a collaboration with Ara Ake and Climate Connect Aotearoa, aims to combine renewable energy generation, community battery storage, and advanced energy-sharing technology to provide power to local charities. Energy generated by solar panels at Counties Energy’s Glasgow Road site in Pukekohe, stored in an on-site battery, will be distributed to three local charities – Mai Lighthouse (formerly Franklin Family Support Services), Whaanau Resource Centre O Pukekohe Charitable Trust, and the Waiuku Family Support Network.
The pilot is a first-of-its-kind initiative in New Zealand, demonstrating how energy sharing and distributed renewable generation can reduce energy hardship while increasing the uptake of clean energy. The project also aims to prove the viability of a Multiple Trading Relationships (MTR) model, which allows customers generating excess solar electricity to trade or gift energy with others in the community.
Counties Energy’s second successful PIP project is its distributed system operator (DSO) pilot programme in Karaka Harbourside, which involves the real-time active network management of around 550 customer ICPs on Counties Energy’s low voltage network in Karaka Harbourside, near Papakura. The pilot, a collaboration between Counties Energy, DER aggregators, Europe-based Plexigrid and Ara Ake, is designed to test real-time network orchestration, providing insights into how a more flexible, distributed energy system can be efficiently operated and scaled.
The initiative will contribute to the evolution of a future energy system that better integrates distributed generation, optimises energy use, and enhances resilience.
Counties Energy Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Moonis Vegdani says that the PIP will accelerate the company’s ability to implement new market innovations and customer-centric energy solutions.
“These projects showcase how Counties Energy is leading the way in shaping the future of energy in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Franklin Energy Sharing Pilot is an exciting initiative that demonstrates how we can use solar energy and battery storage to directly support our community. Meanwhile, our DSO pilot in Karaka Harbourside is an essential step in creating a more flexible and efficient electricity network,” says Vegdani.
“As a 100% customer-owned organisation, we are committed to ensuring that our innovations deliver real benefits to the people we serve. These pilots are not just about testing new technology – they’re about finding practical ways to make energy more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for our communities. We are grateful to have the support of the Electricity Authority in working through potential regulatory barriers we may face in advancing these projects, which means we can focus on delivering the benefits of these to our customers as quickly as possible.”
The Power Innovation Pathway programme was designed by the Electricity Authority to accelerate innovative energy projects by providing in-market trials, regulatory support, and industry collaboration. The selected projects were recognised for their potential to deliver significant benefits to electricity consumers and deepen the Electricity Authority’s understanding of market barriers and opportunities.