Ben O'Connell
Aotearoa, New Zealand, is set to experience an extended period of wintry temperatures, but MetService is forecasting dryer conditions and lighter winds over the weekend.
Cold fronts have swept up the country this week. Temperatures dropped to –9°C in some places, with Christchurch reaching -6°C. Snow settled to 700 metres in Mackenzie country, and a fresh dusting of snow was seen over the tops of the Southern Alps. Clearing skies overnight allowed temperatures to plummet across the island; snow-covered Tekapo fell to -7°C.
Relief from these chilly conditions is on the horizon as southerly winds ease over the weekend, but the remaining cold air is forecast to stick around into next week. “These cold nights are set to continue for a while, but warmer, wetter weather should return later in the week,” says MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon.
Power companies warned of potential shortfalls in electricity supply this morning because of the unseasonal cold snap and low wind generation. Transpower asked Kiwis to be mindful of their morning power use to reduce overall demand and help ensure there is power available for all.
Transpower worked with electricity line companies across the country to switch off controllable loads, such as hot water systems, to reduce demand. Major industrial electricity consumers were also asked to reduce electricity use for the time that the shortfall is anticipated.
In the end, the country narrowly avoided such power cuts. The Consumer Advocacy Council expressed disappointment after Transpower forecasted the potential power cuts, and Council Chair Deborah Hart said it was a timely wake-up call for the industry.
“The solutions lie in the hands of the industry, the Government, and regulators. If we don’t make progress, there will be more warnings like today, and a heavy price will be paid by consumers, small and large,” she said.
One New Zealand energy expert has called for stronger incentives for smart energy devices to reduce the odds of future power cuts.
Evnex founder and CEO Ed Harvey says part of the problem is when Kiwis are using power rather than insufficient generation. He says a key factor in tackling energy shortages lies in reshaping consumer behaviour. Our energy supply is more variable, thanks to our shift to being 100 per cent renewable.
“We don’t currently have compelling incentives for people to change the timing of when they use electricity. Changes to the electricity market would provide consumers with tangible reasons to shift their electricity usage habits and avoid the system struggling at peak times.”
Electric vehicle infrastructure charging organisation Evnex was founded in Christchurch in 2014 and has chargers in more than 5,000 New Zealand homes and businesses. Harvey is calling for improved consumer incentives to encourage lower energy use during peak periods.
“This would also encourage more investment in things like home batteries and technologies like smart electric vehicle chargers, which automatically schedule charging outside of peak periods. Right now, there’s not enough of a reason for people to invest in these smart technologies, which are becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world.”
Winter brings black ice, more collisions, and lower visibility to New Zealand’s roads. Southern Road Policing Manager Craig Brown says Dunedin’s first frost put the city’s drivers to the test and kept emergency services busy dealing with those who it caught out. “We’ve had a couple of serious crashes thanks to the ice today and a number of minor ones, particularly around the Dunedin area, but what has happened today can happen across our district,” he said.
“A lot of the crashes we see in winter involve people driving like it’s still summer. It is vitally important that drivers take notice of and drive to the weather conditions. Allow some extra time when driving from point A to point B and increase the following distances. Rain, snow and ice make it challenging to stop quickly if required, so it’s important to allow a little more distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
“Black ice is particularly terrifying for any driver that hits it. If a patch of road looks wet or damp, assume it’s black ice; let your car slow down on its own and brake gently before you get to a curve.”