Vector Network News: Smart Meters, Smart Grid

Vector Network News

SMART METERS, SMART GRID

Australia’s long delayed white paper on electricity, urges the roll-out of smart meters, which give businesses and households greater ability to use cheaper, off-peak electricity, as part of a package of reforms to curb soaring power prices.

The white paper suggests the use of smart meters will prompt more time-of-use pricing and will act to reduce big peaks in demand. This could also reduce the need for infrastructure investment.

Smart meter penetration in New Zealand, of which Auckland’s Vector is the major provider, is rapidly approaching 42%, putting New Zealand amongst the leading countries in advanced metering adoption globally.

Vector’s CEO Simon Mackenzie says from this base, New Zealand is well positioned to begin implementing other smart grid technologies and services that rely on smart meters, such as micro generation (micro wind, solar PV) and home automation solutions.

“The current penetration rate in New Zealand is 42%. This is well ahead of North America at 30-35% and the UK,” he said, “we are punching well above our weight”.

Vector’s smart meters are also the most functionally rich on the market, and are deployed nationwide across multiple retailers, which differs from other market deployments, both in New Zealand and overseas.

Smart meters set the platform for future transformation of the way that all parties in the electricity market (generators, lines companies, retailers, and consumers) create, sell, control and use power.

The meters utilise a GPRS network in contrast to most other countries where RF mesh technology is prevalent. Vector also leverages its smart meter expertise offering metering data services to customers and is investigating smart meters for other utilities such as gas and water.

NETWORK SUMMARY for week ending 06 January 2013

ELECTRICITY
Very high temperatures over the weekend saw heat pump and air conditioner use skyrocket with a subsequent rise in electricity demand.
The lack of rain meant fewer car v pole incidents – there were a total of six in Papatoetoe, Albany, Henderson, Manukau, Otara and Panmure.
However, the higher temperatures meant more house fires with our faults crews attending seven to isolate the electricity for the Fire Service.
GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
There were two third party strikes on our network in Blockhouse Bay and Mt Albert.
Faults crews were also called out to Mt Maunganui on Sunday where a gas smell was detected by a member of the public. Investigations concluded the smell was actually coming from an overloaded sewerage system.
Please take care around our gas network and call 0508 B4 U WORK (248 967) or 0800 B4 U DIG if outside Auckland.

SHORTS
• Vector owns over 17,737 kilometres of overhead and underground lines in the greater Auckland area, and 12,572 kilometres of gas pipe lines, almost half of which supply gas to Auckland.
• Weezer will tour New Zealand and will be at the Vector Arena on January, 11 for the first time in 16 years, playing their greatest hits and The Blue Album from start to finish.
• Vector, proud sponsor of the Arena.

Vector owns and manages a unique portfolio which consists of electricity distribution, gas transmission and distribution, electricity and gas metering installations and data management services, natural gas and LPG and fibre optic networks.

Vector is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange with ticker symbol VCT. For further information, visit www.vector.co.nz

ENDS

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