PhD project explores rural electricity trading system

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has launched a three-year PhD research project to develop farmer-to-farmer electricity trading systems that could strengthen rural power network resilience.

The project, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) under its Workforce Initiatives, brings together Waipā Networks, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, and Lincoln University to explore how rural communities can generate, use, and share renewable electricity.

The research aims to integrate distributed energy resources into farming activities and convert on-farm operations to electricity, creating local energy markets that could reduce costs and improve resilience during high demand periods or natural disasters.

“We’re proud to partner with the Society on a project that explores practical solutions for rural energy resilience and local energy trading,” says Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan.

“Because we’re deeply connected to the communities in our region, we see real value in initiatives that help neighbours support one another through smarter, more flexible energy systems.”

Farming sector leads energy transition

The research addresses growing pressures around decarbonisation, electrification, and energy security by positioning the farming sector to lead New Zealand’s energy transition.

On-farm generation, storage, and electrified equipment are now practical and cost-effective, allowing farms to power their operations and supply excess energy to local networks, according to the project partners.

New technologies such as agrivoltaics and floating solar expand this potential by producing electricity alongside normal farming activity.

Using distribution networks to trade electricity within local, autonomous mini-markets offers opportunities for lower costs, reduced network losses, diversified revenue streams, and greater rural community resilience.

Waipā Networks, which operates across rural, urban, and industrial areas, provides network expertise, access to real-world infrastructure, and operational insight needed to develop and test a scalable energy trading model.

As a 100% customer-owned business responsible for powering Fieldays each year, the company has a long-standing commitment to reliable, cost-effective distribution and connecting the communities it serves.

Mystery Creek case study

The PhD student will work across four phases over three years, based at Te Herenga Waka and Lincoln University for academic study, and at Waipā Networks and Mystery Creek Events Centre for industry engagement.

Mystery Creek, home of Fieldays, experiences some of the country’s highest variance in electricity demand due to the annual four-day event. As a critical civil-defence location, the site requires rapid responsiveness to demand surges and a high level of energy self-reliance.

The project will test local energy markets and develop a cloud-based platform for managing real-time operations, including demand-side response and optimised dispatch informed by weather forecasts and wholesale price signals.

“This initiative highlights the value of collaboration between Waipā Networks and the Society,” says Richard Lindroos, chief executive at the Fieldays Society.

“It will deliver practical insights for managing energy at Fieldays and Mystery Creek Events Centre, helping future-proof critical infrastructure and create rural energy solutions that can be replicated nationwide.”

Horgan says if findings can be shared at Fieldays and reach more than 100,000 visitors, the project has significant potential to help rural communities manage electricity more efficiently while supporting Aotearoa New Zealand’s decarbonisation goals.

For the Society, the research will provide a roadmap for managing energy use, reducing line charges, improving resilience, and demonstrating leadership in sustainable rural electrification.

This aligns with the Society’s long-term blueprint for land use, asset development, and sustainable growth through integrated green infrastructure, ensuring the organisation is well placed to support the future needs of New Zealand’s primary industries.

More information about the project titled Cooperative Farmer-to-Farmer Energy Trading for Resilient Rural Power Networks is available at https://applieddoctorates.nz/.