Technical Reference Group
A Technical Reference Group has been established to provide the NZ Battery Project team with independent expertise, sector knowledge and advice.
Members
The members of the Technical Reference Group represent a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise and ensure a diverse and balanced membership.
Dr Allan Miller
Director, Electric Power Engineering Centre, University of Canterbury (2011 – 2017)
Member, Electricity Authority's Innovation & Participation Advisory Group (2017 – present)
Member, MBIE/ENA NZ Smart Grid Forum (2014 – 2016)
Author, Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Solar to 2060 projections for 2019 MBIE Generation Stack updates (2020)
Amanda Larsson
Lead Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace (2017 – present)
Various roles, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), United Kingdom (2010 – 2014)
Dr Cristiano Marantes
Chief Executive, Ara Ake (2020 – present)
Head of Engineering and General Manager Technology & Innovation, Vector Limited (2015 – 2020)
Various roles, UK Power Networks, United Kingdom (2010 – 2015)
Dr George Hooper
Independent consultant (2010 – present)
Executive Director, Centre for Advanced Engineering, University of Canterbury (2000 – 2010)
Manager Commercial Development, New Zealand Forest Research (1992 – 2000)
Chairman, New and Emerging Energy Technologies Reference Group, NZ Foundation Research Science and Technology (2011)
Hoani Langsbury
Ngāi Tahu and Te Rūnanga ō Ōtākou
Former Chair, Otago Conservation Board (2005 – 2010)
Member, Department of Conservation's Te Roopu Kaitiaki (2001 – present)
Isla Day
Member, Wellington City Council Environmental Reference Group (2019 – present)
Founding member, School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand (2019)
Mike Howat
Executive Manager Major Projects and Civil, Fulton Hogan (1993 – 2019)
Independent Member, Ministry of Transport Oversight Group for the NZ Upgrade Programme (2020 – 2025)
Fellow, Engineering New Zealand
Raymond Gunn
Chair, Teviot Valley Community Board (2015 – present)
Fifth generation farmer in Teviot Valley
Dr Stephen Batstone
Head of Strategy and Asset Planning/COVID-19 Recovery Manager, Queenstown Lakes District Council (2018 – present)
Director, Sapere Research Group (2014 – 2018)
Project Manager, BEC2050 and BEC2060 for the BusinessNZ Energy Council
Primary author, foundational report to Productivity Commission for Low Emissions Inquiry 2017/18
Eight members were appointed to the group in April.
Raymond Gunn joined in June to provide a local, Teviot Valley perspective on the Lake Onslow pumped hydro option. Mr Gunn will remain on the TRG while a pumped hydro scheme at Lake Onslow is being investigated as a potential option.
Additional members may join at a later date if there is a need for expertise in a particular field.
Selection process
Members were selected for their knowledge, experience and individual skillset relevant to the project. As a group, they bring expertise in electricity sector and energy technologies, experience in energy modelling, and an understanding of the environmental, climate change, social impact and mātauranga Māori considerations in relation to developing renewable options for dry year security.
More details about the Group’s purpose, skill sets and requirements are outlined in the draft Terms of Reference. These will be the subject of discussion and agreement at the first meeting in Wellington and online.
Any queries should also be addressed to the project Secretariat at nzbattery@mbie.govt.nz.
Last updated: 08 July 2021
NZ Battery Project Technical Reference Group: Final terms of reference [PDF 55KB]