Standards have played a key role shaping New Zealand’s ability to shift towards both adoption of new renewable energies and improving energy efficiency. In collaboration with New Zealand’s energy regulator the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and electricity and gas safety regulator WorkSafe New Zealand – Energy Safety, the adoption of international standards and development of New Zealand publicly available specifications (PAS) are educating and enabling change for both industry and consumers.
In order to make the requirements for industry and consumers more accessible EECA have sponsored a range of PAS guidelines for free access. This benefits everyone – consumers can easily understand best practice and terminology regarding a subject they may not be experts in, installers and providers can educate consumers and be up to speed on best practice technology, equipment, and installation practice and New Zealand can build a population of consumers that are reducing energy consumption, gaining energy resilience and supporting the national grid at a time of growing national electrification.
Notable projects shaping New Zealand’s energy use include:
Standards New Zealand, commissioned by WorkSafe New Zealand - Energy Safety, conducted a thorough review of technical standards governing the production, distribution, safety, and utilisation of green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced through renewable energy and New Zealand is well-placed to develop this industry since most of the country’s energy is provided through renewable sources including wind, hydro, solar and geothermal. This work has led to the adoption of 13 international standards that will lead New Zealand government and industries’ ability to safely and effectively adopt hydrogen use and set a path for scaled-up domestic production and export, adherence to safety and tap into new markets. A number of joint Australian and New Zealand Trans-Tasman standards will also be updated to allow for the integration of hydrogen within existing domestic distribution channels.
In 2023 two new Publicly Available Specification publications were updated for homeowners and workplaces to integrate smart charging systems for EVs. With around 120,000 electric vehicles currently operating in New Zealand this is an emerging industry and increased uptake of EVs means that the energy landscape of New Zealand needs to adapt to the increasing demand for electricity. It will involve a concerted effort by electricity network operators, electrical trades, suppliers, government regulators/policy makers, commuters, and consumers.
Transport makes up 21% of the country’s carbon footprint, and most of that comes from the light vehicle fleet – cars, vans and utility vehicles so shifting the dial on this benefits the environment and reduces New Zealand’s reliance on fossil fuels.
SNZ PAS 6011:2023 Residential electric vehicle (EV) charging and its partner document SNZ PAS 6010:2024 for commercial uses introduces readers to demand flexibility (so not everyone is drawing on the national grid at the same time), safe charging, terminology and available technology.
At the core of the publication is guidance to help homeowners understand the benefits of solar and becoming energy secure and self-sufficient (particularly in preparation for natural disasters or weather events). It also aims to help inform consumers on how to maximise the performance of their solar installation, how to best save money, reduce carbon footprint and avoid common pitfalls.
The publication will explain common terminology, pricing plan options and solar panel construction. It also covers more complex issues like understanding and participating in the electricity market, supply and demand, home energy management systems, smart grids and demand-response flexibility.
Smart homes use technologies with self-learning and algorithms which adapt user needs to electricity supply patterns while providing in-home services when needed. With the system doing the thinking for us to accommodate our daily energy using behaviours, it can reduce energy when not needed and save on subsequent emissions for a better New Zealand.
Smart home guidelines will help users understand what a ‘smart home’ is, the concept of ‘demand flexibility’ and guidance for putting together a home energy management system (HEMS).
SNZ PAS 5210 High temperature heat pumps provides good practice advice and information to support the adoption of energy-efficient heat pump systems for domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. This PAS is limited to the most common systems available, which are those that utilise a closed mechanical vapour compression cycle using electricity. Recent advances in the heat pump technology have made them better suited to high-temperature applications where heat is delivered at a temperature range from 50°C up to 160°C to allow for heat loss as it is moved from source to destination.
This PAS provides best practice guidance to support the adoption of low-emission biomass boiler systems in commercial, institutional, and industrial heat applications for small to medium heat loads (50 kW to 2 MW) providing hot water below 100°C. A biomass boiler system is one fuelled by wood chip, wood briquettes, wood pellets, or other biomass. This PAS includes both technical and non-technical guidance on: evaluating heat demand and energy efficiency; generic site requirements; greenhouse gas and local particulate emissions; fuel quality, supply, reception, storage, and handling; operation and maintenance; system efficiency; seasonal efficiency; regulatory and non-regulatory health and safety aspects; and consenting.
SNZ PAS 5312: The objective of this PAS is to provide advice and information on gas and liquid fuel boiler systems to enable an assessment of their performance and efficiency. Gas and liquid fuel boiler systems are common space-heating technologies used in facilities such as schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings, and also as part of industrial processes.
The adoption of international standards shows the benefits gained from accessing a global pool of knowledge and best practice beyond one’s own borders. For publications developed in New Zealand, if content can be utilised to help PASC member nations progress their own renewable energy and energy efficiency goals, please contact Standards New Zealand to discuss access and licensing, and sharing of experiences and lessons learnt.
