A pitch to unlock a nationwide energy ecosystem by installing solar storage systems on school roofs and creating the largest virtual power plant in the country, has won GHD’s Smart Seeds challenge.
Smart Seeds brings together emerging leaders from public and private infrastructure sector organisations and challenges them to work in cross-industry teams to develop an entrepreneurial, scalable solution to a real-world challenge that has been set by industry experts.
The winning team was decided at a showcase event, featuring project pitches from six teams, held at Auckland Museum and judged by Auckland Council CEO Phil Wilson, Auckland Transport CEO Dean Kimpton and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei CEO Lisa Davis.
The themes for the Auckland 2024 Smart Seeds cohort were: supporting sustainable energy transitions, fostering a system to support a circular economy and reversing the brain drain.
‘Empower Aotearoa’ won with its pitch to accelerate the decarbonisation and electrification of schools through an innovation framework that would enable schools across Aotearoa New Zealand to come together and secure the solar energy needed to power their futures.
The team, which included participants from GHD NZ, Auckland Council, Genesis Energy, Auckland Transport, Brian Perry Civil and Auckland Airport, built their idea off the back of the recently renewed AoG reticulated gas contract for schools, noting the pressing need to move towards renewable, sustainable energy sources for schools in Auckland - and across the motu.
“Using falling solar and battery prices and collective bargaining power, with our framework schools will be able to shift away from reticulated gas and achieve energy security and generate revenue by selling excess electricity back to the grid at peak times,” said team member Alicia Williams.
Empower Aotearoa would act to bridge economic and risk gaps between stakeholders and help them install heat pumps and integrated solar systems into schools.
If successful, early calculations show the idea has the potential to collectively generate an estimated 200MW, which could see schools become the second largest virtual power plant in the country.
The judges applauded the team for the power of its user stories, and for early engagement with stakeholders who will directly benefit from and participate in creating the solution - noting the project had the potential to be scaled nationally and see benefits to schools far beyond the proposed solution.
A People’s Choice project was also awarded at the showcase, going to ‘Skip the Skip'; an AI-powered app that connects users with information and resources they need to avoid, reduce and reuse construction materials throughout the entire urban development lifestyle.
Wrapping up the Smart Seeds programme for 2024, GHD Facilitator Maurice Hoban says the design-challenge facilitates the networks, connections and innovative-thinking necessary to tackle some of Tamaki Makaurau’s most pressing issues.
“Imagine the possibilities for cross-sector problem solving when our emerging leaders are armed with design innovation skills and connected to a diverse network to collaborate with - this is the approach we need to make headwind on some of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most pressing infrastructure issues.”
