Local solar and battery networks the key to future energy resilience

Local solar and battery networks the key to future energy resilience
Flooding turned paddocks into lakes in Napier. (Image: Getty)
Greg Hurrell
A network of micro grids generating their own power will be needed if New Zealand’s electricity network is to cope with increasing extreme weather. Ara Ake chief executive Cristiano Marantes said the focus needed to be on resilience to high-impact, low-probability events such as Cyclone Gabrielle. Ara Ake was set up by the government in 2020 to foster low-emissions energy innovation.While tens of thousands of households lost power in the storm, customers of solar and battery company solarZero still had power after the grid faile...

More Energy

Methanex deal latest co-operative move for energy security
Markets

Methanex deal latest co-operative move for energy security

Sector facing regulatory threats and energy shortfall is banding together.

Ian Llewellyn 09 May 2025
Methanex secures winter electricity supply again
Infrastructure

Methanex secures winter electricity supply again

Electricity generators are anxious to avoid winter power price spikes.

Pattrick Smellie 08 May 2025
Contact Energy gets green light to acquire Manawa Energy
Markets

Contact Energy gets green light to acquire Manawa Energy

Contact sought to take over Manawa in September 2024. 

Staff reporters 07 May 2025
Methanex: gas deals and impairment hits
Energy

Methanex: gas deals and impairment hits

Methanex on-selling gas, limiting operations and a $197m impairment.

Ian Llewellyn 05 May 2025