Short Circuit JU LY // june AUG UST mAy 2 0 1230 1 3
Advice to members
HYDRO SITUATION
Tracey Gordon, ATS Energy Account Manager
electricity that you are and no longer using. Ifyour you Now is thesupplies time to be checking maintaining have a smart meter, your energy company will not electrical equipment so that it will be ready for nextbe season. able toout obtain reads to give youforansome accurate Check the winter checklist ideasaccount. of what This you includes not used overofwinter. can do tosupplies reduce your chances problems. If for any reason you need to turn the mains off for a period of time please let ATS Energy know and we can Ifadvise you have any topics that you would like to see your retailer.
covered in this forum please let me know either by If you have topics you like tome see at covered in calling me any on 03 307that 5107 orwould e-mailing this forum please let me know either by calling me on tracey.gordon@ats.co.nz. 03 307 5107 or e-mailing me at tracey.gordon@ats.co.nz.
SHORT CIRCUIT | JULY 2013 MAY / AUGUST JUNE 2013
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Another reminder systems about not turning off the mains for any and electrical
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One of the main areasisofhappening conflict between the electricity andNews the customer in-depth look at what in the market look outsupplier for the ATS in June. arises when the meter is not read regularly. Smart meters should be read monthly, Meridian has recently bought in a new three year contract offer and those and so should irrigation connections. The electricity account states whether it that are looking at new contracts or coming off old contracts will be is based on an actual read or an estimate – if unsure when the last actual offered these. read took place, call Tracey on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or 03 307 5107 Meridian is currently ATS members with this offer. If you and we can look intocontacting it. have any questions on what they are offering, or what other options you may have, call me on BUY ATS (289pump 287) to discuss. Winter checklist for0800 trouble free
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Some in the market believe that an oversupply resulting from the smelter’s closure would drive
Checking the meter down the profitability of other generators, even if partially offset by plant closures. For an
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demand. contract settled almost threesnow yearsthat of negotiations, Winter hasThe certainly leftwas its mark soin farOctober this year.2007 Withafter all the rain and fell in June, itand came into force from 1 January this year. was great to see that people had thought of alternative power supplies. We are all very reliant on electricity and farmers more sofor for572 theMW health of their stock.load A backup plandeal. is something all use Meridian provides price certainty of the smelter’s under the The site can farmers should have all year round, not only in winter, as power can go down at anytime. up to 625 MW.
OCT 1 AUG 11NOV SEP 1 OCT DEC 11NOV JAN FEB 11DEC JAN 11MAR FEB 11APR MAY 1 MAR 1 JUN APR
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The supply agreement between Rio Tinto and Meridian is the biggest in the New Zealand
Winter welcome electricitybackup industry. The smelter’s load usually accounts for about 15 per cent of the country’s total
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year, sheep & beef around $6,000. Thereand seems to be the farmers thoughtspend a smelter closure could cause the price of power to drop—but would it really? There has been minimal comment to date from those parties backing this policy.
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This has ledFarmers to speculation around the impact smelter’s potential closure on electricity Federated has voiced its concern with of thethe proposal saying that its implications may not prices. Generators’ valuations, and the effect of the smelter’s on thenor share float haveprivate also have been “fully considered. ” Controlled pricing neither drivesfuture innovation, encourages been questioned. electricity schemes. Arable and dairy farmers on average spend about $25,000 on electricity a
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create real been problems no in private players who would invest in newwith infrastructure, There has a lot with of hype the media over the past few months the releaseleaving of the the Crown to pick up the cost of new capacity. Mighty River Power shares, and of course the breakdown in talks between Meridian and Rio Tinto.
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has been heated debate on the merits and downfalls of this policy from
user groups and thePukaki other interested parties. The Waitaki system,different which includes the Tekapo, and Ohau lakes, held 1,670 GWh of storage, 19 per cent lower than normal for this time of year. Some say that because demand is flat now, by moving to a system of central pricing this could
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Tracey Gordon
NZ Powerisawell flier?upon us with the cooler weather returning Autumn and finally some rain. North Island storage is 57 The biggest debate in the market at the moment would be the per April cent announcement fromfor thethis Labour and of Green parties. TheyIsland plan tolakes deliverheld below average time year. South savings to electricity consumer’s worth between $500 $700 2,136 GWh, 23 per cent below average formillion this and time of million year. aNational year by creating a new Crown agency, NZ Power. storage totalled 2,272 GWh, now 27 per cent NZ Poweraverage will be thefor single buyer of wholesale electricity in the market. There below mid-April.
STORAGE (% OF MAXIMUM)
Information taken from NZX Energy DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this information is to outline historic data and is intended for general reference only
king on water meters
ter meters are promised to be tightly enforced by ECAn after they come into law this november, g out for water users to be registered and compliant.
king on water meters anges to the Resource Management Act, requiring
ECAn Resource Management Officer Colin Bird says failing to be re to have a meter. It applies nationally but with 70% registered for a meter will lead to enforcement action as per the Resource Just as local councils have focused on controlling point source pollution Management Act. “There has been over 18 months of publicity about this, e, Canterbury’s is the most affected. from factories andlaw seweragenovember, outlets in recent years, electricity network ter meters are promised to be tightly enforced by ECAn after they come so there is little excuse for not acting soonerinto on meters,this ” he says rmetricsBy is one of onlyRennie two companies approves as companies also regard it as good practice to control the “pollution” of the Richard ginstallation out for and water users be registered meter supplyto company with ECAnand compliant. power system at the source, i.e. reduce or modify the effect of the devices rs. to the Resource Management Act, requiring generating ECAn Resource Management Officer Colin the Birddistorting says failingpollution. to be anges Itamay be an unlikely term to70% apply to electricity, but ter meters are to be tightly enforced byforECAn after they come into lawasthis november, ew says his company can ensure all the steps in registered a meter will lead toMarc enforcement per the Resource re toneill have meter. Itpromised applies nationally but with Marchal, aaction systems engineer for energy systems management g arewater fulfilled. However hebe cautions that time “harmonics” inaffected. terms of power supply means Act. a lot “There has been over 18Schneider months ofsays publicity this,the Electricity Engineers g out for to registered andManagement compliant. e, meters Canterbury’ s is the users most company in the about past year By Richard Rennie and for meters users who have only so there excuse for not acting sooner(EEA) on meters, ” heZealand says has formulated some guidelines on Association of New more thecompanies hum power lines as isalittle nor’wester rmetrics is onesurges ofthan onlyamong two approves as make ECAn Resource Management Officer ColintoBird failing to be distortion. anges the Resource Management Act, requiring with a to certified standards dealsays with harmonic installation andinstaller. meter supplythem. company with ECAn blows through registered for a meter will lead to enforcement action as per the Resource re to have a meter. It applies nationally but with 70% he rs. end of June 2012 to register with an installation “It is fair to say so far the uptake has been somewhat mixed, it is still very Management Act. “There has been over 18 months of publicity about this, e,alment. Canterbury’ s islaw thecomes most affected. The full into effect on the 10th much a work in progress.” ew neill says company can ensure allwill thehear stepsmore in so there isone ahis term that electricity users as regulations start is little excuse fortonot acting sooner on meters,” he says rmetrics of only two companies approves as about beingItis significantly more forthright on this than EA Networks, Network Waitaki and Alpine Energy have all adopted gismeters are fulfilled. However he cautions that time develop to try supply and up” New Zealand’s andAndrew. meter company with ECAn power supply quality. sinstallation councils, ” says Still,“clean he estimates there international standards to try and curtail harmonic pollution. and for meters surges among users who have only “Harmonics” industry shorthand for the slightly more intimidating term rs. outstanding for installer. meterisregistration. with a certified The networks require all variable frequency devices to have “harmonic “harmonic distortion”. It refersall tothe thesteps effectinsome electric devices have as ew neill says his company can ensure mitigation” filters to reduce distortion at the point of supply. Limits on he end ofthey June 2012 to register with an installation draw current fromhethe grid supply system, having a distorting effect g meters are fulfilled. However cautions that time the level of distortion are determined against a ratio between maximum alment. The full quality law comes into effectsupplied, on the 10th on the of the current by altering the current frequency. and for meters surges among users who have only connected load the system is capable of carrying and the short circuit is beingImagine significantly more forthright on this than a wave form as the profile of a current supplied through a grid. A with a certified installer. point of the system. s councils,disruptive ” says Andrew. Still, he estimates there device will typically pull power through the power outlet with he end of June 2012 toregistration. register with an installation outstanding for meter The aim of the harmonic mitigation filters is to ensure the electricity a waveform of a frequency that isthe higher than standard electricity flow’s alment.pressure The full law comes into effect on 10th switches and transducers. being fed back into the grid from the machines is “clean” and at the 50Hz 50Hz. is beingThese significantly more forthright on this than or they will need to be frost protected, frequency standard on the system. By Richard Rennie Add and more ofestimates these devices a grid, and the result is an ds councils, electricity market offers businesses ” saysmore Andrew. Still, he thereontoand EA Networks general manager Gordon Guthrie says harmonic distortion definitely give grief come spring time. If the disrupted flow through it by these loads often known as “nonoutstanding for meter registration. e overincreasingly which company they choose to purchase Blair Watson ElectraServe Ashburton has of become particularlyin problematic in the Canterbury region over the linear loads”. water line has to remain connected over winter ndustryCombined, efforts such to make changing between past five years as dairying has grown. sees some problems regularly cropping up disruptiveto devices cause transmission losses and the best prevention avoidcan frost damage is to The number of VSDs has increased significantly and three years ago EA s less install intimidating should make options easier to compromise the integrity of the pattern to If allun-used users, not only thoseyear as the irrigation season kicks off, each a tubular heater, or supply heating pad. Networks required any new VSD installed to be fitted with a filter. The with the disruptive equipment. before. By Richard Rennie not so much from lack ofis maintenance, aspossibility of moving to require over winter, simply disconnecting it will save d electricity market offers businesses and network company also considering the This sortusers of transmission “pollution” is more oftenneglected, associated with large rural electricity in Canterbury, that choice is often simply failing to take some simple equipment older than three yearssteps to also have filters retro-fitted, a move problems with damaged switches later on. eented over which company they choose tonew purchase users, including industrial andthat agricultural operators sourcing Blair Watson of ElectraServe in Ashburton toelectricity them when it comes time to hook up that is still in its consultative stage. over winter when usage is low or nil. ndustrysignificant effortsload to make changing between demands at peak periods. work. sees someRennie problems regularly cropping up shut shed doors. Sheds containing pumpsvariable Byspeed Richard The cost of installing filters is not cheap, and will depend upon the size of Typical equipment that can inject non-linear loads includes dsredetermined electricity marketwill offers businesses and less intimidating should make options easier to metering be installed, leaving the new eachpressure year the as the irrigation kicks off, switches and transducers. motor requiring aseason VSD. switchboards should be firmly close and birdpumps drives (VSD)s, common on only Canterbury onbut irrigation another supplier. While options not of otherdairy companies, ebefore. overand which company they choose to farms purchase These need toElectraServe bevery frostmuch protected, orconsultation they will asstage.” Blair Watson of in Ashburton not so much from lack of maintenance, “This is still in the proofed. perennial problem is overheating andsupply, and andunchallenged. milkingAplant pumps. Others include switch mode power mmes, goes definitely give grief come spring time. If the ndustry efforts changing between rural electricity userstoin make Canterbury, that choice is often neglected, some problems regularly cropping For operators EA Networks, harmonic distortion can bring overheating simply failing to takelike some simple steps up electronic ballasts for florescent lamps and welders. switchgear failure due to birds nests being built sees water line has to remain connected over winter 25c/kg milk solids for an average irrigated Canterbury dairy unit, or ented to them when it comes time to hook up that new s less intimidating should make options easier to problems with transformer equipment, and inflict greater wear and tear to each year as the irrigation season kicks off, over winter when usage is low or nil. Enough combined distortion can result in equipment sensitive to load the best prevention to avoid frost damage is to gated arable and livestock properties the bills are substantial. Were behind switchboards, or within pump housings. work. equipment. before.patterns, including computers, capacitors, digital clocks, and transformers not so much fromheater, lack or ofheating maintenance, as install a tubular pad. If un-used quipment or any other farm consumable most farmers would redetermined metering will be installed, leaving the new pressure switches transducers. Gordon says so farand there haveit not been significant amounts of damage malfunctioning or even failing completely, and be unable to be repaired rural electricity users in Canterbury, that choice is often neglected, over winter, simply disconnecting will save t and seek alternative quotes. pest control. Justcompanies, as birds like simply failing to take some simple steps another conduct supplier. While options not only of other but These need to be frost protected, or they will inflicted to customer equipment, but it is important to get more harmonic toeconomically. them when it comes timeprovider to hookyou that new problems with damaged switches later on. sented your choice about what electricity choose to hook warm pump sheds, rats andup mice do, and up will mmes, goes unchallenged. over winter when usage is low or nil. definitely give grief come spring time. If the filters installed to prevent the risks increasing with dairying’s growth. work. For computers itbe can also result in the lossinput, of data and work underway at stalling electrician should making, without client ” saysand Tracey shut shed Sheds containing water line hasdoors. to remain connected overpumps winter chew and damage wiring. Ensure bait traps 25c/kg milk solids forthe an average irrigated Canterbury dairy unit, or the time of failure, along with the hardware itself. redetermined metering will be installed, leaving the new ount Manager. pressure switches and and switchboards should be transducers. firmly close and bird the best prevention to avoid frost damage is to gated arable and properties the bills are substantial. Were are laidlivestock overoptions winter knock numbers back. another supplier. While notto only of isother companies, but These to be frost protected, or they willand erent options available the network alsofarmers another proofed. A perennial problem is overheating install aneed tubular heater, or heating pad. If un-used quipment or any otherwithin farm consumable most would mmes, goes unchallenged. definitely give griefdue come spring time. If save thebuilt ng in new especially pumps. If your installer has not switchgear failure to birds nests being over winter, simply disconnecting it will t and seekconnections, alternative quotes. water line has to remain connected over winter 25c/kg milkATS solids for an average irrigated Canterbury dairy unit, or nt options, Energy is able to help you through this process and behind switchboards, or within pump housings. problems with damaged switches later on. s your choice about what electricity provider you choose to hook up the best prevention to avoid frost damage is to gated arable and livestock properties the bills are substantial. Were ting the best option from the beginning. stalling electrician should be making, without client input,” says Tracey Pressure switches and transducers. These need to be frost protected, conduct pest control. Just aspad. birdsIfpumps like shut doors. Sheds containing install ashed tubular heater, or heating un-used quipment or any other farm most farmers erentManager. options means you canconsumable anticipate charges based would on how ount or they will definitely giveand grief come spring time. warm pump sheds,should rats do, and will and switchboards bemice firmly close and birdIf the water line has to remain over winter, simply disconnecting it will save tearly andSeptember. seek alternative quotes. It is however a conversation youanother have to have connected over winter the best prevention to avoid erent options available within the network is also chew and damage wiring. Ensure bait and traps proofed. Awith perennial problem is overheating problems damaged switches later on. and frost damage is to install a sfore yourinstalling choice about what electricity provider you choose to hook up meters, not after.” pumps. tubular or heating Ifnests un-used over winter, simply disconnecting it will ng in new connections, especially If your installer has not are laid heater, overfailure winter to knock numbers back. switchgear due to pad. birds being built stalling electrician shouldfor beclients, making,towithout client input, ” says Tracey save problems with damaged switches later on. shut shed doors. Sheds containing pumps modelling services a better indication ofand ntfull options, ATS Energy is able to help give you through this process behind switchboards, or within pump housings. ount Manager. and switchboards should be firmly close and bird ches theirbest electricity ting the option demand from the profile. beginning. Shut shed doors. Sheds Just containing and switchboards should be firmly conduct pest control. birdspumps like and erent options available within the network is also another proofed. A perennial problem is as overheating onnection be considered means of avoiding capacity erent options means youacan anticipate charges basedcharges on how close and bird proofed. A perennial problem is overheating and switchgear failure warm pump sheds, rats and mice do, and will ng in new connections, especially pumps. If your installer has not switchgear failure due to birds nests being built can tempting to in the earlybeSeptember. It istemporarily however adisconnect conversation youhope have capacity to have due toand bird nests being built behind switchboards, or within pump housings. chew damage wiring. Ensure bait and traps nt options, ATS Energy is able to help you through this process and behind switchboards, or within pump housings. ded low usage period. forethrough installingthe meters, not after. ” The network companies have are laid over winter to knock numbers back. tingdisconnections the best optionand fromthese the beginning. son should be explored thoroughlyof Conduct conduct pest pestcontrol. control.Just Justasasbirds birdslike likewarm pump sheds, rats and mice do full modelling services for clients, to give a better indication erent options means you can anticipate charges based on how avingtheir yourelectricity connection disconnected. also, will chew wiring. Ensure warmand pump sheds,and ratsdamage and mice do, and will bait and traps are laid over winter ches demand profile. early September. It of is however a conversation youexcess have to have to knock numbers back. er the true benefits future proofing farms with pump chew and damage wiring. Ensure bait and traps onnection be considered means fore installing meters, notaafter. ” of avoiding capacity charges are laid over winter to knock numbers back. can be tempting to temporarily disconnect in the hope capacity full modelling services for clients, tos give a better indication of SHORT CIRCUIT | JULY / AUGUST 2013 ased on 2all the equipment’ fullnetwork rating for each ded through theinstalled low usage period. The companies have 2012 SHORT CIRCUIT | JunE/July ches their electricity demand profile. significantly less in aand farm’these s earlyshould years only results inthoroughly paying excess son disconnections be explored
Harmonics hit a bad note Winter checklist king on water meters for
trouble free pump and electrical systems
Blair Watson of ElectraServe in Ashburton sees some problems regularly cropping up each year as the irrigation season kicks off, not so much from lack of maintenance, as simply failing to take some simple steps Winter checklist for the people—choose your over winter when usage is low or nil. trouble free pump and wisely
the people—choose your wisely the people—choose your wisely
electrical systems Winter checklist for trouble free pump and electrical systems Winter checklist for trouble free pump and electrical systems
Winter checklist