Auckland energy lines company Vector is working with tech giant Alphabet's subsidiary X Development moonshot factory and other international partners to accelerate development of affordable network technologies that support decarbonisation.
Photo: AFP
Vector and X Development had been collaborating for nearly two years to develop tools that visualise and simulate how such things as technological developments, extreme weather events and other factors might impact the future design, management and operation of energy networks in New Zealand and around the world.
Vector chief executive Simon Mackenzie says the old models for designing and managing energy networks simply were not viable anymore given the complexities of future energy requirements, climate change and costs.
He said electricity networks would need to integrate renewable generation, storage, electric vehicles, and other technologies, while also balancing affordability and reliability needs.
"We first presented our strategy to X in [late] 2019, found significant alignment, and now we have a team of experts from both companies working together," he said.
Vector planned to deploy the solutions initially in the Auckland region, but also planned to eventually make them available more broadly in association with X Development, and other partners, which include a Chile-based system operator and a large United States grid operator based in Indiana and Idaho.
"That model is still being worked through with Google as to how that go to market will work but clearly on a global scale, there are very large requirements for these types of systems, as well as significant global revenues in these control system environments," he said, adding the developments could be a "very strong contributor" to Vector's financial performance.
Vice president of X's moonshot for the electric grid Audrey Zibelman said the pressure was on for energy networks to rapidly evolve.
"Our collaboration with Vector is rooted in our shared understanding that the whole industry has to transform. We are excited to partner with an industry leader like Vector as we collaborate on the development of solutions by combining our respective areas of expertise."
Mackenzie said the research and development costs were part of the company's asset management programme, although it would be taking advantage of the available R&D tax incentives.