ALPINE ENERGY and its operations company Netcon have been making excellent progress in a Government-required electricity meter inspection campaign across South Canterbury.

The inspection programme originally planned over a 12-month period is now expected to be completed in half the time. Inspectors are currently working in townships and rural areas north of Timaru up to the Rangitata River visiting each property systematically and using a small hand-held device to capture technical data from each meter. No wires are connected or disconnected.

Fairlie, Pleasant Point, Geraldine as well as most of Timaru have already been covered and from next week the focus will shift to Milford, Levels, Washdyke, Pareora, St Andrews, Maungati and Claremont areas.

Alpine Energy commercial manager Daniel Roos says his inspectors are pleased with the response they are receiving from the community, the first time the whole of South Canterbury is being surveyed. Results so far show that up to 52 per cent of the regions meters will need to be replaced to meet the Government's requirements. Locating meters around farms has proven a challenge, Mr Roos said. "We've been criss-crossing farmyards and buildings looking for them," he said. He asked that farmers and staff leave a note on their house door indicating where the meters were. The assessments generally only take five minutes, he said. "If you're not home when we call you will receive a call back card in the mail box. Please contact the number on the card and arrange a convenient time for the assessor to re-visit."

Meter efficiency survey a five-minute job at most properties

Simple and easy, just a five-minute job at most properties. That’s how Netcon Ltd’s metering project manager Hesham Mikhail describes the task ahead of his four-strong team undertaking for Alpine Energy Ltd South Canterbury’s first ever comprehensive survey of electricity meters in every home and business...

And Hesham points out that no wires are connected or disconnected to the household supply – the survey is all done by a small hand-held remote device with a satellite link to Alpine Energy’s data base back at its Meadows Road offices.

In fact, says Hesham, modern meter performance testing technology has done away with the need for form-filling, hard-wire connections and any form of meter dismantling and the information read at each property’s meter board is transmitted to Alpine Energy’s computer server at the touch of button – instantly. “Then we are gone,” he said.

The hand-held device, about the size of a one-litre milk bottle, even has a camera built in to provide vital information for a snapshot of the meter installation.
Alpine Energy’s commercial manager Daniel Roos says Hesham’s team of inspectors will visit more than 32,000 homes in South Canterbury during the next 12 months in a zone-by-zone approach. The inspectors were only interested in the efficiency of meters, not how electricity was being used in a home or business, he said. “That’s their business. Ours is making sure that the power used is measured accurately.”

Fairlie is being assessed this month and inspections will shift to Pleasant Point for the month of June. The Timaru urban area survey will begin in July. The project, scheduled to be completed by April 29 next year, is part of the Government’s requirements for meter efficiency compliance, which it says must be completed nationwide by March 31, 2015.

Mr Roos expected that most South Canterbury meters would need to be replaced prior to the March 2015 deadline and the current meter inspection would position Alpine Energy for an accurate assessment of future smart meter requirements across South Canterbury.
He said Netcon inspectors would be clearly identified when they knocked at the door.
“They will be wearing identification labels and company-branded apparel and each auditor is expected to visit up to 32 homes a day,” he said.
The staff would call at properties in the normal meter-reading manner during the normal working day. They would not be calling at night, Mr Roos said.
“In the event a householder was not home and access to meters could not be established, the assessors would make a return visit after leaving a card that clearly identified them.”

He had one request though. If large dogs were roaming a property, Alpine Energy would welcome a call to let the inspectors know about their presence.

The work began at the start of the year and was completed in June, despite disruption by the Canterbury earthquakes and Alpine Energy supplying staff and equipment to the quake-hit Christchurch region.

Trenches were cut along city roadways sector-by-sector and traversed the area from Transpower's Old North Road sub-station to a new sub-station next to Repco in Heaton Street.

Alpine Energy Ltd chief executive Andrew Tombs said the $10 million project was planned three years out when the company foresaw the potential energy needs of a revitalised central and southern business landscape.

But it could not have predicted the value of the upgrade in the aftermath of the devastating Canterbury earthquakes and the continuing aftershocks with many Christchurch businesses now planning to set up in South Canterbury. The Christchurch influx adds to potential demand from local business expansion and new big-budget enterprises such as Holcim's cement works at Weston. Holcim has indicated its preferred port in its transport network is Timaru.

"We called this $10 million upgrade 'Power to Timaru' and that's just what we have now provided for when the needs arise," Mr Tombs said.

Local exporter Allan Booth, whose Starwood factory manufactures wood products for domestic and international markets said Alpine Energy's electricity supply upgrade across the city was a "pleasing investment in the future – now". "Although power is only one of the key ingredients to attract potential companies to the district, this may encourage other related service providers to think the same way," Mr Booth said.

"We have an abundance of locally-produced high-quality commodities, where the best place to process them is right here in South Canterbury. Let's encourage that." Major engineering company Parr and Co on Hayes Street, in the Port area, is in the area targeted by Alpine Energy for the 33 kV upgrade.

Managing-director and Timaru District Councillor Damon Odey said the forward-thinking project was "fantastic news" for the entire Timaru area.

"We are poised for some major developments and growth in our area, not to mention the impact of some businesses relocating from Christchurch," Mr Odey said. "This type of forward thinking and planning is part of our region's strategic growth. "Thanks to Alpine for taking the initiative to future-proof our power supplies. Timaru should be set to welcome any new opportunities and growth," he said.

Mr Tombs said the project had been completed despite some significant setbacks caused by the Christchurch earthquake and some inclement weather. Alpine Energy reassigned some staff and infrastructure to Orion power company in Christchurch to help that city recover from the disastrous earthquake. Among equipment reassigned to Christchurch was the very switchboard originally purchased for the 33kV project.

"That we have been able to complete our upgrade almost on time and under budget in these circumstances has been due in part to the wonderful co-operation we have received from the residents of Timaru, some of whom have had to put up with restricted access to their properties and detours and road closures in their neighbourhoods," Mr Tombs said. "Despite some handicaps, we have achieved what history will show as a major step forward for our community. To those who assisted, our grateful thanks."

Three years in the planning, we called this $10 million upgrade “Power to Timaru” and the physical aspects of the project evolved since the start of this year.
The efficient completion of the project has been reached despite some significant setbacks caused by the Christchurch earthquake and some inclement weather.

lpine Energy reassigned some staff and infrastructure to Orion power company in Christchurch to help that city recover from the disastrous earthquake.
That we have been able to complete our upgrade almost on time and under budget in these circumstances has been due in part to the wonderful co-operation we have received from the residents of Timaru, some of whom have had to put up with restricted access to their properties and detours and road closures in their neighbourhoods.
The support from the public has been outstanding. When visiting the various worksites across the city I have had members of the public come up to me to offer their support and co-operation.
Alpine Energy’s trenching contractors Paul Smith Earthmoving Ltd have also received a similar reception, some residents even offering their staff tea and scones, I am told.
Alpine Energy would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the public of Timaru.
While this project is for the benefit of the community and the region as a whole, the smooth and timely completion of it relied on many factors coming together as one for our company.
Despite some handicaps, we have achieved what history will show as a major step forward for our community. To those who have assisted, our grateful thanks.

Andrew Tombs
Chief Executive
Alpine Energy Ltd

Electricity supply company Alpine Energy Ltd is preparing to upgrade the current 11 kV supply to 33 kV in a $10 million cabling and switching station project that will cross the city. In a project dubbed Power to Timaru, more than 36 kilometres of 1200 mm2 sheathed alloy cable will be laid in a continuous trench sector by sector from Transpower’s Timaru substation in Old North Road to Alpine’s new switching station in Heaton Street.

The main trenching work will begin on January 10 2011 and at the rate of 600 metres per week is scheduled to take 10 weeks. Some preliminary work will be carried out later this year.

Alpine Energy Ltd chief executive Andrew Tombs said the project, which had been in the pipeline for more than three years, was a forward thinking company approach to providing the region’s existing, new and developing industries within the Port of Timaru, and possible future industries, with a reliable supply. View more information on the Power to Timaru website page...

Subject to Alpine Board and Shareholder approval and securing a mutually acceptable agreement with Government, Alpine hopes to begin establishing a fibre network this year.
Initially the rollout will focus on ‘lighting up’ Timaru as this is a key area identified for Government support and funding.
Alpine would eventually like to see fibre rolled out between all South Canterbury towns and communities.
Chief Executive Andrew Tombs says Alpine’s vision sees fibre rolled out linking Twizel, Tekapo, Fairlie, Albury, Timaru, Geraldine, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, Temuka, Pareora, St Andrews, Mikikihi, Studholme, Waimate, and Glenavy.
“The Timaru and South Canterbury region provides a real opportunity for measured productivity improvement through the roll out of fibre,” says Mr Tombs.
Communications Minister, Hon Steven Joyce wants 75% of New Zealanders to have access to fibre to the door within 10 years. He is also planning to front with $300 million to ensure a fibre spread into rural New Zealand.
However, the Government must first select partners to work with and Alpine and the NZRFG wants to be an integral part of that mix.
Alpine today, along with other members of the NZRFG has submitted a response to the Government’s Invitation to Participate.
Alpine and the NZRFG are looking forward to working with the Government to achieve its ultra-fast fibre broadband objectives.

- Andrew Tombs

Tuesday's outage left more than 20,000 South Canterbury people fending for themselves, unable to use toasters, jugs, lights or electric razors.
About 5am there was an explosion at the back of one of 17 feeder units in the Timaru substation on Old North Rd.
Alpine Energy chief executive Andrew Tombs said the cause of the fault was unknown. The current running through the unit jumped from about 100 amps to about 20,000 amps. "If you had been standing near there you probably would have felt something through your shoes," he said.
Repairs – and the return of power – were delayed till toxic smoke was cleared from the building.
Two of three cables running to Washdyke were affected by the fault, which delayed the return of power to the industrial area.
Mr Tombs said it was unknown why the fault occurred when the load should have been low.
"There's nothing obvious that any of us can point our fingers at as to where it faulted."
The two damaged cables that ran into the back of the feeder cabinet would be sent to the manufacturer for testing, he said.
From April 1 to the end of last month there have been 75 power cuts, though Mr Tombs said that was under the target Alpine set. Most were caused by a third party digging up cables.
It did not mean the end was nigh for the region's electricity infrastructure, he added.
"The assets are still strong and still have a lot of life left in them.
"There's no doubt that there are pockets of our network that are coming towards the end of their life, but we haven't gone beyond that point of no return."
Mr Tombs said Alpine had more than doubled its expenditure, to about $20 million, to replace and upgrade the ageing assets, many within five years.

New Zealand’s first regional load management controller began as a two-year trial project at the start of the 2009 winter and is estimated to have reduced load at peak times by about 30MW during the winter period – the equivalent of removing about 10,000 homes from the national grid, or all households in Ashburton.

The controller, based in the Orion network control room in Christchurch, has been developed to monitor the load on upper South Island networks in real time. During periods of high electricity demand, the controller uses “ripple” signals to cooperatively control household hot water cylinders throughout the region – working to service level targets to ensure an adequate and consistent supply of hot water to customers.
View the following links to read media coverage about the load control project:

• Trial sees power companies save cash - Nelson Mail
• Upper South Island load management trial delivering real benefits - Energy News website
• Upper South Island cuts peak power demand - Scoop online news website

 Easing pressure on national grid
This control reduces congestion on the national grid and avoids bringing forward costly new grid investment just to meet periods of peak demand. Also, when the transmission system is constrained due to a grid emergency, the controller can remove load from the grid in a managed and coordinated manner – avoiding power outages which might otherwise have been necessary.
The electricity distribution networks participating in the upper South Island controller project are Network Tasman, Marlborough Lines, MainPower, Orion, Buller Electricity, Westpower, Electricity Ashburton and Alpine Energy .
Industry cooperation a sensible move
Orion CEO Roger Sutton says his central Canterbury network has been successfully using ripple control to actively manage its electrical load for a number of decades. By reducing demand during peak loading times, distribution networks are able to delay the costly investment needed to increase their network capacity – and avoid passing on these costs to retailers and in turn the public.
“It makes a great deal of sense for electricity networks to work together to reduce peak load on a regional basis,” Mr Sutton says. “We’ve had encouraging early results from the trial controller – our collaborative efforts over just one winter could delay transmission investment in our region by one to two years. This puts downward pressure on transmission and wholesale prices, and also electricity prices for customers,” he adds.
On the coldest days in winter when electricity load is high, the upper South Island transmission grid operates close to full capacity. To meet load growth in the short term, Transpower plans to continue to implement relatively small and low cost upgrades to the grid. In the long term, in the absence of new generation in the upper South Island, more transmission capacity into this region will be required.
Innovative approach, says Transpower
Transpower’s General Manager System Operations, Kieran Devine, says industry cooperation in load management enhances Transpower’s ability to manage the grid when operating at full capacity.
“By managing peak demand well, electricity networks can provide some insurance against the risks of transmission build delays and high demand growth, and in some cases may allow deferral of transmission investment. We funded the upper South Island load controller project to see if such an innovative approach can realise such benefits, and whether such an approach could be extended to other regions. We’re pleased with the progress of the initiative to date,” Mr Devine says.
The upper South Island load controller trial is scheduled to end in April 2011, however the early success of the trial indicates that the controller is likely to operate beyond this period.
Further benefits are likely from ongoing load control coordination by the distribution networks.

"It's a time when we have got quite a heavy spend ahead of us. [That] may seem quite strange at a time when people are talking about downturn," Mr Tombs said.
The work is unavoidable, however.

Alpine's acting chief executive Eoin Powell said decisions made by the company today would affect the reliability of electricity for future generations.
"The trouble with electricity is you can't just put something in the ground for tomorrow," Mr Powell said. Planning needed to take into account growth in five to 10 years.
A secure supply of electricity was necessary to ensure economic growth in the region and demand for electricity had increased, driven by the irrigation and dairy industries.
Transpower, which owns the country's transmission grid, is investigating what development needs to happen in the Lower Waitaki area, while Alpine has already started building a new grid exit point at Bells Pond the point where the company accesses electricity from Transpower to improve the security of supply in the lower Waitaki area.
Alpine Energy chairman Ian Bowen said the company undertook an extensive national search to find a replacement for former chief executive Greg Skelton, who left earlier this year.
Mr Tombs had the capability to managing the company's capital expenditure programme, Mr Bowen said.
Mr Tombs has been managing Powerco/Tenix Alliance and Tenix Alliance NZ, from just outside Auckland, but his experience within the electricity industry has taken him over the North Island.
The move to Timaru will bring him back to the South Island, something the Dunedin-born man said created "a sense of a full circle for me".
His career started at Dunedin Electricity, and he has worked for Transpower, Unison Networks, Otago Power and most recently Tenix Alliance.
"I'm proud and very much looking forward to be part of an organisation that has such a rich and deep heritage. I'm also looking forward to building on Alpine's solid performance to date and securing value for future generations of Alpine consumers and stakeholders."
Small centre enthusiasm and spirit was another attraction of the job, Mr Tombs said. He had appreciated and admired the Taranaki "hard core, go the `Naki' spirit" alive in that region when he lived there, and looked forward to working in another area where community pride was strong.
"I'm looking forward to that provincial attitude."
Mr Tombs spent time last Friday meeting staff at Alpine Energy and will take over the job on July 20.
The move to the South Island also puts him closer to his family.
His mother was "over the moon" about the move, he said.