Powerco trials power pole mounted batteries in first for New Zealand

Share

Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) distribution company Powerco is the first to introduce low-voltage battery energy storage systems (BESS) into the country.

Aimed at supporting consumers during peak electricity use times, Powerco is starting a trial on five power poles in the North Island community of Tauranga.

Located in the suburb of Greerton, 220 kilometres southeast of Auckland, the neighbourhood has had intensive in-fill housing, resulting in there being more houses than the electricity network was originally designed for.

Powerco General Manager Electricity Karen Frew said the chargeable batteries are an innovative way of supplying the neighbourhood at peak electricity use times.

“We’re the first electricity distribution company to use this innovative technology in New Zealand. It’s used successfully in Australia,” Frew said.

“However, as they are new equipment on our network, we’ll be monitoring their performance to ensure they are helping supply enough power during peak demand in the neighbourhood.”

Bidirectional power flows

Five power pole battery storage energy systems are being trialled for the first time in northern New Zealand.

Image: Powerco

While the BESS units in Greerton are specifically designed to help with electricity supply during peak times in the suburb, Powerco is preparing for the future of electricity with BESS units integral as the company moves towards being a distribution system operator (DSO).

Powerco DSO Programme Director Ryno Verster said the future will see widespread bidirectional power flows.

“This is where electricity flow isn’t one way – from power lines to customers. Instead, homes and businesses will produce their own renewable electricity via the likes of solar panels on their roof, use it and feed what’s not used back into the electricity network,” Verster said.

“This way of distributing electricity and supporting communities is the future of electricity. Customers generating power via the sun can, rather than wasting or storing production in batteries in their homes, which is unattainable for many, store excess energy on the network,” Verster said.

“Here, it will be ready to sustainably top-up local homes and businesses’ power when it’s needed,” he said.

This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.

Popular content

South Australian city installs rooftop solar arrays on seven public buildings
14 February 2025 South Australian solar solutions company Venergy Solar has completed a multi-rooftop solar installation in eight weeks, in partnership with the City o...