May 2024 Newsletter

2nd session to identify actions to make EV charging choices easier

On behalf of EECA, FlexForum is coordinating a work plan co-design process that will set out the actions required to make it easier for households and businesses to make choices about flexible EV charging and chargers.   

You are welcome to join the 2nd online Workshop starting at 0930 on Wednesday 22 May 2024. This session will look for options that address the pain points and barriers identified in Workshop 1.

Get in touch at info@flexforum.nz if you want to come to workshop 2.

Insights from workshop 1: flexible charging is an easy and obvious choice for EV owners, but…

The perspective that emerged from workshop 1 is that flexible charging is an easy and obvious choice for EV owners, but flexible (or smart) chargers are neither easy nor obvious because they are currently not worth it…'when 90% of the benefits are currently available from a timer or my in-car features'.

Fortunately, there is value that can be put on the table… Read on here to discover the other pain points and barriers that need to be addressed for households, businesses, communities and the economy to realise the full value of flexible EV charging.

Is FlexForum Membership the new black?

FlexForum Members are a pretty diverse bunch with serious experience and insights who are not afraid to challenge long-held assumptions and ask the hard questions that come with making it easy for households, businesses and communities to maximise the value of flexible resources.

But it is exciting to welcome more Members to bring fresh perspectives and test thinking. So welcome to Basis, the Electricity Retailers' Association of New Zealand and Electra.

If you are thinking FlexForum Membership is the new black get in touch at info@flexforum.nz to find out how to get involved.

Things FlexForum are working on

May 2024 Newsletter

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We are getting stuck into the 2024 workplan. Here is an update on where things are at with the initial 7 tasks we are working on.

Task

Currently working on…

A plausible future state for distributed flexibility

What does good look like in 2040? What are the features, actions and interactions of a future electricity system and market which makes it easy for households, businesses and communities to make choices about and use flexibility?

FlexForum Members will be trying to answer these questions at a workshop on 24 May.

The many ways a household, business or community can benefit from distributed flexibility

Putting the finishing touches on a description of the outcomes that people can get using flexibility, the menu of actions, and most importantly, current day experience.

Unfortunately, not all the outcomes wanted by households, businesses and communities are available or possible in 2024.

Designing a smart EV charging workplan 

Workshop 2 is happening 22 May 2024.

Check out an overview of the insights emerging from workshop 1 here.

A stocktake of the existing flexible resources, their opportunities and beneficiaries

What is the value stack I hear you ask?

Well, watch this space as an answer to that should be available in time for the next newsletter.

Set the scene for digitalising the electricity ecosystem

We are mapping the data flows that will be needed to enable the future electricity system and market.

Track progress with delivering the FlexForum Flexibility Plan 1.0 for the electricity ecosystem

Crowdsourcing progress from Members right now. Once the facts are in, we will be asking hard questions about whether progress is happening in the right areas and is happening fast enough.

Update the Flexibility Plan

This task will start once we understand the state of progress.

Want to get involved?

FlexForum Members want to make it easier for households, businesses and communities to maximise the value of their energy resources and their flexibility. This flexibility will help deliver an affordable and reliable operation of the electricity system and enable accelerated electrification as part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s transition to a zero emissions economy.

If this sounds like you, check out our Intro to FlexForum for more on our what, why, how and who.

Or check out www.flexforum.nz to find out more or get in touch at info@flexforum.nz if you want to become a Member.