Key Takeaways
- Mangawhai Hills is developing a community microgrid and private power company to generate 105% of its annual power consumption
- The microgrid will allow excess power to be sold back to the national grid when the price is high, and have the national grid as a backup during high occupancy
- The development aims to be self-sufficient in energy, drinking water, stormwater, wastewater treatment, and carbon
- The project has been worked on with Northpower, advisers Revolve Energy, and contractors Omexom, and is a first for New Zealand
- The development will include planting 50,000 native plants, regenerating wetlands, and creating 15km of walking and cycling tracks open to the public
Introduction to Mangawhai Hills
Mangawhai Hills is a new development in New Zealand that is setting up a community microgrid and private power company. The project aims to generate 105% of its annual power consumption, making it one of the first developments in the Southern Hemisphere to do so. The microgrid will allow excess power to be sold back to the national grid when the price is high, and have the national grid as a backup during high occupancy. This innovative approach to energy generation and management is a key feature of the development, and is expected to make it a model for other communities in the future.
The Community Microgrid
The community microgrid is a complex system that has taken a year to develop in partnership with Northpower, advisers Revolve Energy, and contractors Omexom. The system will allow each house in the development to connect to the grid, and will enable excess power to be sold back to the national grid. The microgrid is a first for New Zealand, and is expected to be a demonstration for other developments in the country. The development’s director, Tony McKee, said that the aim is to generate 105% of the development’s annual power consumption, and to sell the excess back to the grid at the right time to help pay for the solar panels.
Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability
The development is not only focused on energy generation, but also on self-sufficiency and sustainability. The project aims to be self-sufficient in drinking water, stormwater, wastewater treatment, and carbon. The development will include stormwater attenuation ponds, a wastewater treatment plant, and will generate its own energy. The project’s focus on sustainability is driven by its developer, Fontein, who has a background in environmental civil engineering and is the former chair of the NZ Green Building Council. Fontein believes that the development is unique in New Zealand for its self-sufficiency, and hopes that it will raise the overall standards of subdivisions in the country.
The Development’s Features
The development will include a range of features that will make it an attractive place to live. The project will include planting 50,000 native plants, regenerating wetlands, and creating 15km of walking and cycling tracks open to the public. The development will also include a 240sq m experience centre, which will open on Waitangi Weekend. The centre will provide information about the development and its features, and will be a hub for community activity. The development’s team, which includes development director Tony McKee, community and stakeholder liaison Steve Brebner, and project manager Sam Tietjen, are working to create a community that is enriching for its residents.
The Local Community
The development is located in an area that is growing rapidly, with permanent residents and families moving to the area. The nearby international golf courses of Te Arai, including Tara Iti and Te Arai Links North and South, have helped attract business to Mangawhai. Community and stakeholder liaison Steve Brebner said that the area is no longer just a holiday destination, but a thriving community with a range of amenities and activities. The development is expected to contribute to the growth of the area, and to provide a range of benefits for its residents and the wider community.
Conclusion
Mangawhai Hills is a innovative development that is setting a new standard for sustainability and self-sufficiency in New Zealand. The project’s community microgrid and private power company are just one aspect of its focus on sustainability, and the development’s features, such as its native plantings and walking and cycling tracks, will make it an attractive place to live. The development’s team is working to create a community that is enriching for its residents, and the project is expected to contribute to the growth of the area. As the development progresses, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and what benefits it brings to its residents and the wider community.
