Meridian and Bluecurrent partner for low carbon future

Bluecurrent has announced its first New Zealand commercial deal for its Dynamic Load Control service.

Meridian has signed up for the ability to dynamically shift its customers electricity use by managing their hot water heating load. Meridian's Smart Hot Water programme will be powered by 20,000 Bluecurrent smart meters in the first year.

Bluecurrent's Chief Customer Officer Matt Bostwick says the Dynamic Load Control service is part of creating a sustainable energy future.

"This is an exciting new service that allows our customers to shift significant load using our meters across New Zealand.

"Having the flexibility to remotely turn on and off something as simple as hot water heating means New Zealanders will use less carbon intensive fuels, like coal and gas, because electricity demand becomes smoothed out and peaks of demand aren't as extreme," says Matt.

Meridian Chief Customer Officer Lisa Hannifan says shifting hot water heating to non-peak periods helps reduce New Zealand's reliance on non-renewable fuel sources, making Dynamic Load Control an important step in the company's sustainability strategy.

"Cheaper power, and no impact on usage is a win-win for our customers, and any reduction in non-renewable fuel is a win for the entire country.

"Doing the right thing is something were always aiming for, so the roll-out of Bluecurrent's Dynamic Load Control service was an easy decision," says Lisa Hannifan.

Meridian customers with an eligible meter and tariff in the Orion (Canterbury) and PowerCo (lower and central North Island) networks are in the Smart Hot Water programme, with the offer expanding to other areas soon.

Dynamic Load Control is available as a cost-effective alternative to replacing aging ripple relay legacy systems for network companies to manage low voltage use at peak times or in a supply emergency.

Bluecurrent is providing Dynamic Load Control trials to five other NZ energy retailers and has four Australian energy retailers also trialing the service.

ENDS