ENA Future Networks Forum: Innovation Forum

Dates:

Tuesday 17 March and Wednesday 18 March.

 

Where:

Te Wharewaka, 2 Taranaki Street, Wellington Central.

There is also the option to attend this event online via Teams.

Register

Register here. Registrations are open until 2 March.  

Agenda: 17 March 2026 

Time	Title/description	Speaker(s)
09:30 - 10:00	Registration and morning tea (30 min)
10:00 - 10:25	Opening karakia and an update on FNF progress (25 min)	FNF Co-Chairs James Tipping GM Market Strategy & Regulation, Vector Andrew Kerr Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Alpine Energy
10:25 - 10:55	ENA update (30 min)	Richard Le Gros Policy & Innovation Manager, ENA
10:55 – 11:35	Rewiring Aotearoa: the future energy system and the role of networks (40 mins) Rewiring Aotearoa will share a forward-looking perspective on the future energy system New Zealand needs to build toward, and the pathways to get there. The presentation will explore how electrification and emerging technologies are reshaping demands on distribution networks, alongside the key opportunities and challenges of the energy transition. This high-level session will set the scene for the day, focusing on the longer-term direction of travel for EDBs and the wider sector.	Josh Ellison Co-Founder & Research Lead, Rewiring Aotearoa
11:35- 12:15	DSO direction and flexibility: where is the Electricity Authority heading? (40 mins) This session will provide an update on the Electricity Authority’s work programme for Distribution System Operator (DSO) development and the evolving role of flexibility in the power system. It will reflect on earlier workstreams, what has changed, and where current thinking and policy direction now sits. The presentation will also outline what EDBs should expect as the Authority moves into the next phase of DSO and flexibility development.	Geoff Parr Principal Analyst, Electricity Authority
12:15 - 13:15	Lunch (60 min)
13:15 – 14:05	Enabling vehicle-to-grid at scale: insights from Australia’s major V2G trial (50 mins) This session will focus on flexibility solutions, with a particular emphasis on vehicle-to-grid (V2G/V2X) and the role these technologies could play in supporting future networks. A representative from ARENA will share insights from Australia’s experience to date, including key learnings, opportunities, and challenges in enabling flexibility at scale. The discussion will help inform how similar approaches might evolve within the energy transition in Aotearoa.	Australian Renewable Energy Agency representative
14:05 – 14:45	Farmlands FLEX (40 mins) This session will explore the emerging role of flexibility in the agricultural sector. The presenters will share early insights into the types of flexibility that can be delivered, lessons from any trials or case studies to date, how participation works for farmers, and how they have engaged with EDBs. The discussion will also examine how the needs of agricultural businesses differ from other electricity consumers, and the role local lines companies can play in enabling flexibility opportunities in rural networks.	Blackcurrent representative
14:45 – 15:30	Local flexibility platforms in action: demonstrating Localflex (45 mins) This session will demonstrate the OurEnergy Localflex platform and how it enables local flexibility markets in practice. It will highlight what these tools unlock for networks and customers through real-world examples of flexibility services and market participation. The presentation will also outline what EDBs need to do to engage effectively with local flexibility platforms.	Peter Thompson Technology Director, Our Energy
15:30- 16:00	Stretch break and afternoon tea (30 min)
16:00- 16:50	Panel: capex deferral RFPs — what have we learned? (50 mins) This panel will reflect on recent capex deferral RFP processes and the key lessons emerging with hindsight. Panellists will discuss how optionality was valued and understood, what worked well, and what proved more challenging in practice. The session will draw out practical insights and considerations for others looking to design or participate in similar approaches.	Panellists TBC
16:50- 17:00	Wrap-up and closing karakia (10 min)	FNF Co-Chairs James Tipping GM Market Strategy & Regulation, Vector Andrew Kerr Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Alpine Energy
17:00	Event closes and social catch-up begins

Organisations attending day one:

Agenda: 18 March 

Time	Title/description	Speaker(s)
09:00-09:30	Registration (tea and coffee on arrival) (30 min)
09:30 – 09:45	Opening karakia and welcome (15 min)	FNF Co-Chairs James Tipping GM Market Strategy & Regulation, Vector Andrew Kerr Chief Customer & Strategy Officer, Alpine Energy
09:45 – 10:05	Reflections on yesterday (20 min) This interactive session invites attendees to reflect on key takeaways from yesterday’s discussions. What’s the one insight, idea, or action you’ll take back to your EDB? Join us as we share reflections, highlight common themes, and surface what’s resonating across the sector.	FNF Co-Chairs
10:05 – 10:45	TBC	TBC
10:45 – 11:05	Morning tea (20 min)
11:05 – 11:45	INTSA projects underway (40 mins) This session will feature a series of presentations from EDBs on their INTSA-funded projects. Speakers will share updates on the initiatives underway, early learnings, and how the funding is supporting innovation and progress toward greater network flexibility. The session will provide an opportunity for EDBs to exchange insights and highlight practical examples from across the sector.	Speakers TBC
11:45 – 12:25	TBC	TBC
12:25 – 12:50	TBC	TBC
12:50 - 13:00	Wrap-up and closing karakia (20 min)	FNF Co-Chairs
13:00 - 14:00	Lunch with the Regulatory Working Group (60 min)

 

Organisations attending day two:

• Electricity Distribution Businesses  
• Electricity Networks Aotearoa  
• Electricity Engineers’ Association 
• Transpower