Ohope · High solar irradiance · 2,000+ ICPs

Ohope: A community-led microgrid to lower electricity costs

We are a volunteer, non-profit initiative proving that smart meters, price signals and local renewables can manage a substation at capacity—without expensive upgrades—while cutting bills and improving resilience.

A living pilot for New Zealand’s energy transition

Ohope will demonstrate how solar, batteries, EVs and smart meters can balance supply and demand locally. The goal is a replicable model other NZ communities can adopt.

High irradiance

Ideal coastal conditions make Ohope a natural test-bed for rooftop and shared solar.

2,000+ ICPs

A right-sized community to prove coordination at scale without complexity bloat.

Substation at capacity

Price-signal orchestration beats costly copper-and-concrete upgrades.

Smart meters

Leverage existing meters for dynamic delivery pricing and flexibility services.

Locally led, for everyone

We collaborate with residents, local businesses, marae, and the DSO to keep costs fair, reward flexibility, and strengthen resilience.

Residents

Solar-ready homes, EV owners, and renters can all participate via price signals and shared assets.

Community & Marae

Shared PV, batteries and demand response reduce bills and keep value local.

DSO & Councils

Test dynamic delivery pricing and flexibility markets on a live, consenting-friendly pilot.

How the Ohope microgrid works

Integrate distributed solar, batteries and EVs; coordinate them with price signals from the DSO using smart meters; keep the feeder in bounds while lowering bills.

  • Generate locally: Rooftop and shared solar provide daytime energy.
  • Store smartly: Home batteries and EVs sponge excess and support peaks.
  • Signal fairly: Smart meters deliver dynamic prices from the DSO to reward flexibility.
  • Balance the feeder: Price-driven response keeps voltage and loading in safe bands.
  • Lower bills: Less upgrade spend, more efficient use of assets, transparent costs.
Rooftop PV     Shared PV          DSO / Substation
   │               │                        │
   ├──► Local Load ├──► Home/EV Storage ◄───┤  (Dynamic price)
   │               │                        │
   └───────────────┴─────────► Grid Export ◄┘  (When surplus)

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Join the Ohope microgrid project

We welcome residents, researchers, installers, iwi and local government partners. Subscribe for updates or offer help.

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A faster, cheaper path than traditional upgrades

Grid assets are expensive. Digital coordination lets us sweat existing assets, manage peaks, and share benefits fairly.

Lower bills

Reward flexibility; reduce upgrade capex; keep value in the community.

Grid stability

Price signals from our DSO allow our HEMS to maintain voltage and loading within bounds in real time.

Replicable model

A template other NZ towns can adopt with minimal changes.