Electricity Ashburton and the Electricity Governance ( Connection of Distributed Generation ) Regulations 2007

Installation and connection of distributed generation

Installing distributed generation and connecting it to the Electricity Ashburton network

The installation of distributed generation can be a complicated process. At the earliest possible stage of your distributed generation investigation we recommend that you obtain a copy of our Distributed Generation - Guidelines & Application Form. We also recommend that you obtain expert technical advice on how to correctly install, connect and operate your distributed generator.

Depending on your generator size, our documentation comes in one of two forms:

• Guidelines and an application form for medium to large distributed generation systems (above 10 kilowatts)
• Guidelines and an application form for smaller distributed generation systems (10 kilowatts or less)

We also provide other information about fees and connection terms with the guidelines.

To obtain a paper copy of any of this documentation, please contact us on 03 307 9800 or email us.

General information

If you intend to install distributed generation that is capable of exporting any excess energy from the generator into our network (even if this seems unlikely), then you will need to involve us in the process as early as possible. Each distributed generation situation is different and needs to be discussed with us.

Any agreement to connect distributed generation to our network may include costs associated with design and reinforcement of the existing network. If network reinforcement is required, the design and schedule for this project work will need to be factored into your installation planning. Projects may be constrained by network resources and restrictions.

Once you have finalised your distributed generation design, we may need to review it before we will allow it to connect to our network. As with any new or altered electricity connection, we will need to see a certificate of compliance for the installation before it can be connected.

Large generators (above 10kW) may be subject to Transpower's terms and conditions. If this is the case, we will facilitate responses to Transpower's requests. The generator owner will be responsible for providing any requested information to us to assist in the process.

You can view further information about distributed generation on the Electricity Commission's web site (www.electricitycommission.govt.nz).

Statutory, regulatory and safety requirements

Distributed generation must meet all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and comply with all applicable safety standards. If you connect distributed generation to our network, safety equipment and procedures must be put in place to ensure safe interaction between your distributed generator and our network.

We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the following documents:

Electricity Ashburton Use of System Agreement (PDF)

New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3000 - Electrical Installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules), which you can purchase and download it from Standards New Zealand [www.standards.co.nz]

Austrailian Standard AS 4777 which provides standards for connecting inverter-based systems and is a useful guide for installing other forms of generation. You can purchase and download it from Standards Australia [www.standards.com.au].

For further information on distributed generation, please contact us on 03 307 9800 or email us.

We gratefully acknowledge the use of some content from Orion NZ Ltd and Westpower in the preparation of our distributed generation information.