Fundamentals of Renewable Energy & Energy Transition in New Zealand
Fundamentals of Renewable Energy & Energy Transition in New Zealand
The 2-day energy transition masterclass will provide participants with a solid all-round grounding in the concepts, methods and language used in the energy industry. The program will cover both global and local trends and developments.
Participants will be exposed to a wide variety of energy sources, including fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas, LNG), nuclear, renewables (solar, wind, wave, tidal, pumped hydro, biofuels) and universal energy carriers (electricity, hydrogen).
The program will examine the energy transition and how New Zealand can develop a renewable energy system.
The course will look at what it takes to develop a renewable project from concept to operation and the challenges along the way. Attendees will learn to appreciate the impact of technical, operational, commercial and environmental risk on projects, how they compete or complement each other today, and how this interaction is expected to evolve with time.
Who Will Benefit
The energy transition masterclass is designed to provide a wide-ranging examination of our complex energy system from both a technical and commercial perspective. As such, it is applicable to technical and business-oriented professionals working in parts of the energy sector who wish to gain an understanding of the sector as a whole.
New entrants to the energy sector will benefit from this wide perspective, regardless of whether they are technical, nontechnical, private sector or government.
Key Learning Outcomes
- Gain awareness of the various sources of energy, from fossil fuels to renewables
- Review the current makeup of our energy system
- Understand the history of our energy system
- Appreciate the risks and opportunities associated with the energy transition
- Appreciate the many alternative sources of energy that can replace fossil fuels and their relative strengths and weaknesses
- Learn what the challenges are to building a renewable energy system and how a portfolio of renewables can fit together to create a secure and resilient energy future for New Zealand.
- Study practical case studies in the context of the New Zealand energy environment
Who Should Attend
Those involved with drafting or editing contracts, and those wanting more knowledge around how contracts may impact themselves and their organisations.
Past Attendee Testimonials
“Excellent course, met expectations, informative, good content and entertaining”
– Dave Daly, Purchasing Manager, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd
“I found Terry to be personable, interesting, engaging & easy to understand with great examples”
– Louise Morten, Contract Analyst, Department of Corrections
Day 1 – Exploring the New Zealand Context todayThe New Zealand Energy System and the Energy Transition
Energy Overview
- Energy definitions, terminology and units
- Types of energy
- Global energy supply and demand
- Energy as a driver of growth
The New Zealand Energy System
- Current energy sources and trends
- History – how have we arrived at where we are at today?
- Energy security
- How renewable are we?
- Energy as an enabler of emissions reduction
The Energy Transition
- Past transitions – what can they teach us?
- The global energy transition
- Why context matters
- The energy trilemma
- Possible pathways
- The role of transition initiatives
Day 2 – The Future
Building a renewable energy system for NZ
- New Zealand renewable energy potential
- What are the building blocks?
- Challenges and risks
- How do we build a resilient and reliable system?
- Where are we currently at?
Case study – Distributed solar and batteries
Case study – Large scale renewable
Case study – Developing flexibility
Developing a renewable project
- Gaining consent
- Design, procurement and construction
- Financing
- PPAs
- Getting paid
Customers and Communities
Go to market propositions
Jonathan brings over 25 years’ experience working in the New Zealand electricity sector in a variety of roles spanning retail, networks, metering and adjacent technology sectors. He has held senior leadership positions with Vector, Unison Networks and Landis+Gyr.
Jonathan is currently a Director of two electricity companies and is independent Chair of the Electricity Networks Association’s Smart Technology Working Group.
Jonathan has been at the forefront of change in the sector and has worked with a number of companies looking to commercialise emerging technologies as we move to a low emissions future.
Jonathan has a Master’s degree in Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Finance.
He lives in Auckland with his wife Lisa.
Jonathan Kay
Facilitator
Register for this Event
This is a 2 day course.
Courses start 9am (coffee & registration from 8.30am) and run until 4.30pm / 5.00 pm each day.
Expand the dates for more details.
November 19, 2025
- Last Minute $2699+gst per person per person
- Cliftons, Auckland
March 11, 2026
- Last Minute $2699+gst per person per person
- Cliftons, Wellington
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