Fundamentals of the New Zealand Electricity Industry in 8 Hours Masterclass

Overview

This masterclass provides a comprehensive introduction to the New Zealand electricity industry, with a particular focus on the distribution sector. Participants will gain an understanding around how each of the key sectors of industry (including, generation, transmission, distribution, and retail) function both independently and interactively. Demonstrating how electricity is generated, transported, and then consumed, highlighting factors that influence daily, seasonal and long term demand patterns, leading participants to explore the typical electricity usage that New Zealand experiences. Participants will also gain insight and explore the roles of governing bodies/regulators that are there to regulate and influence and effect on the industry. Finally explore the different market operations that are present in the industry how the various electricity markets function to ensure an operational industry.

Building on this foundation, the course will examine the how the electricity sector is undergoing significant transformation. Changing from its historical large scale centralized and passive customer system to more distributed, dynamic and customer focused sector. Exploring the underlying reasons and drivers behind this transformation including, constant increase of electrification, uptake in distributed energy resources, changing customer behaviour, and emerging technologies. As well how the industry is responding with different solutions including, evolving technology of its own, system overhauls and, new sectors and markets forming in industry. Finally, participants will explore the key challenges facing the sector, including security of supply, affordability, climate resilience, and the integration of new technologies, and how these challenges are shaping the future of New Zealand’s electricity industry. This course should give you a baseline understanding of the industry in which you should allow you to further develop with the industry.

Learning Objectives

Understand the structure of the New Zealand electricity industry and the roles of the key sectors, governing bodies, and market operators.
Understand how electricity is generated and consumed across New Zealand, including the factors that influence generation, demand, and consumption patterns.
Explain the detailed functions and responsibilities of the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sectors.
Understand how governing bodies and market operators function and interact with the different industry sectors and customers.
Identify the drivers of change within the electricity sector, including distributed energy resources, electrification, emerging technologies, and changing customer behaviour.
Understand how the rapid uptake of distributed energy resources has created both significant opportunities and challenges within a traditionally slow-moving industry.
Explain how customers are evolving from passive consumers to active participants within the electricity system.
Describe the historical and ongoing challenges associated with security of supply and electricity system resilience.
Recognise the challenges of balancing affordability, reliability, resilience, and sustainability within the future electricity system.

Featuring Our Speakers

Sean Osborne-Curtis

Technology Innovation Engineer

Powerco

Sean is a Technology and Innovation Engineer at Powerco, with a focus on improving the resilience and capability of New Zealand’s electricity networks.

Holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering, Sean works at the forefront of integrating new technologies into New Zealand’s existing electricity network infrastructure. His work spans non-network solutions, distributed energy resources, community resilience programmes, and innovation initiatives designed to help prepare New Zealand’s electricity sector for the challenges of electrification and climate change.

Sean currently leads Powerco’s PowerHub programme, delivering standalone power systems and community resilience projects for remote and vulnerable communities across New Zealand. He has also been involved in fault management innovation, network automation, and the application of data and digital technologies to improve network performance and customer outcomes.

With experience bridging engineering, strategy, policy, and community engagement, Sean is passionate about helping people understand how New Zealand’s electricity industry operates and how it is evolving. His presentations focus on translating complex technical and industry concepts into practical insights that are accessible to engineers, policymakers, local and central government representatives, researchers, and those entering the sector.

Through his masterclasses, Sean aims to equip participants with a deeper understanding of the structure of New Zealand’s electricity industry, the forces shaping its future, and the opportunities emerging from the energy transition.

Who should attend?

New entrants to the New Zealand electricity sector.
Engineers and technical professionals transitioning into the electricity industry.
Local, regional, and central government representatives involved in energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, or electrification initiatives.
Academic researchers seeking to develop a greater understanding of the New Zealand electricity industry and its future direction.
Consultants, analysts, and professionals undertaking market development activities within or alongside the electricity sector.
Technology providers and innovators looking to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the industry’s transformation.

Topics Covered

Overview of the New Zealand electricity industry
Detail function Industry sectors
How the NZ Electricity industry is changing
Key Challenges facing the industry