New Zealand Energy Asset Database - Help

The New Zealand Energy Asset Database contains information about all of New Zealand's energy infrastructure. The website allows collaborative input from a wide range of users, and easy review of the assets, both current and proposed.

This help page will be updated in response to users enquiries. Questions or suggestions can be sent to: [email protected] 

Current help topics

About the asset database

The database characterises all current and future supply, distribution and conversion assets in New Zealand. Each asset is characterised with geo-position, operating and design capacity, life cycle of the investment, risk, GHG profile, land area and risk. By having the database updatable collectively (like a Wiki) by asset owners and interested parties, the quality of data should progressively improve.

Data extracted from this database can be used to provide consistent, detailled information to energy system analysts and input to energy models such as GEMS (Electricity Authority ), SADEM  (Ministry of Economic Development) and LEAP (NIWA).

Registration process

If you haven't logged on, then you will only be able to search through the assets, and view detail on assets.

If you want to be able to edit the detail of assets, then click of 'register' and submit relevant details. The registration process is automatic. You will automatically be eligable to edit data. The database adminstrator cannot remind you of you password, but can delete your registration thereby letting you register again.

Searchable fields

A wide range of searchable fields have been provided. All field searchs are run concurrently, so it is possible to search for "Biomass derived ethanol production" assets in the "Auckland" region. The intention of the database is to focus users on understanding energy assets and energy pathway details, consequently, key word searches and searches 'by owner' have not been provided.

Edit controls

When a user edits the details of an asset, two types of supporting data are provided, namely:

  1. Default values - these are provided values that are 'typical' for this type of asset.
  2. Calculated values - these values provide quick reference indications of what should be submitted into fields based on other data that has been entered. For example, if a user provides a operational plant factor and an installed capacity, then a calculated operating capacity is provided (Operating capacity = installed × operational plant factor).

When a registered user submits an a change or new asset to the database, a "tentative" asset is created, and the database manager is informed that an asset has been added. The update will not be incorporated until it has "approved" by the database manager. This may take a few days to update during busy times - please be patient. When suggesting a change, please provide suffient detail to enable confirmation of the details, else the changes may be rejected by the database manager. If in doubt about the status of an asset, please feel free to contact the database adminstrator.

Asset names

Currently the range of asset names is constrained to match the asset types that are feed into LEAP (refer to EnergyScape project documentation). Changing names and addition of asset fields is possible via contract with the database adminstrator.

Getting lattitude and longitude

Obtaining the lattitude and longitude of an asset can be quite difficult. We recommend finding the location in a mapping software that is available on the web (e.g MapToaster). If you have difficulties, then just provide a full description of the location in the "Comments on data integrity and general information" field, and the database administrator with find the lattitude and longitude for you. 

Risk scores

Because there are very few quantifiable indicators of risk, a qualitative measure must be used. The risk scores assigned in this database are indicators of the probability that the asset time phase will not be completed. A score of '0' indicates that there is little risk of failure, whilst a score of '5' indicates failure is almost certain. 

We use risk scores to determine the risk (implementation) that capital ($) will be spend developing an asset which will not get completed e.g. If the cost of research phase is $20,000 and has a risk score of 3 (i.e. there is a good chance that the project will not progress to the financing / construction phase) then the total capital at risk is 3/5×$20,000 = $12,000.

We also use risk scores to determine the risk (operational) that energy services (capacity in MW) will not be provided e.g. If the asset has an operating capacity of 120 MW and has an operational risk of 1 (i.e low likelihood of operation not being available), then the operational capacity at risk is 1/5×120MW = 24MW.