The problem
A single point of supply gave the developer a practical way to distribute electricity across the development, but establishing a private electricity network created a new set of ongoing responsibilities. Each household still needed to be accurately metered, the metering equipment and processes needed to meet New Zealand electricity industry requirements, the upstream electricity invoice needed to be paid and fairly allocated between connected properties, and residents needed clear monthly invoices, account support and access to their consumption information. Without a specialist power sub-metering provider, the developer would effectively need to create its own metering, billing and customer administration operation. The homes were also being completed and occupied in stages, so the system needed to support progressive activation.
What we did
Smart Metering was engaged to provide the operational layer between the private electricity network and each household. Vector extended its 11kV network to the site and completed the development's high voltage point of supply; the privately owned network begins beyond that point and Coatesville Landing retains ownership of it. Each residential connection is fitted with a revenue grade smart electricity meter that records and transmits consumption data automatically. Smart Metering acts as the metering equipment provider for the low voltage customer network, with the residential metering installed, commissioned and certified in accordance with the relevant requirements of Part 10 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code (New Zealand). The high voltage gateway metering was separately installed, commissioned and certified by the relevant specialist provider. The meters communicate through the cellular network, removing the need for separate communications equipment throughout the development, and can support future requirements such as electric vehicle charging, solar generation, battery storage and time of use tariffs.