Contact Us | Join Us | Subscribe | Visit www.transpower.co.nz

Hydro Risk Curve Explanation

Explanation

Risk curves have been developed for the purposes of reflecting the risk of extended energy shortages in a straightforward way, using a standardised set of assumptions.

On the Hydro Risk Curve graph, the amount of potential energy stored in the hydro lakes is shown on the y-axis (in GWh). The x-axis shows the time of year. Storage is tracked over time - as lake levels rise, the trace moves up the graph.

When storage is in the green zone, there is no reason to expect energy shortages in the short to medium term.

If the storage trace falls below the green zone, the security level changes to reflect increased risk.  At the X% line, there is an X% chance of lake storage falling to the zero line later in the season, based on the historical record of lake inflows.

For instance, if storage falls below the 10% risk curve, one in ten historical inflow sequences from the last 80 years would lead to storage running out.  This 10% risk curve is called the ‘emergency zone', and has not been crossed in the last decade.

The emergency response plan is based on these risk curves.  The risk status is derived based on where the current storage sits on the graph in relation to the risk curves.  When storage is in the:

• green zone, the status is Security Normal
• yellow zone (i.e. between the 1% and 4% lines) the staus is Security Watch
• orange zone (i.e.between the 4% and 10% lines) the status is Security Alert
• red zone (i.e. below the 10% line) the status is Security Emergency

The actions that are taken when these status's are reached are described in the Emergency Response Plan.

The risk curves are based on a particular set of assumptions.  In particular:

• geothermal, cogeneration, wind, and small hydro plant operate to expected levels
• storable inflows are conserved where possible
• all thermal plant operates at maximum capability to meet demand
• forecast expected demand is reduced to reflect voluntary reductions in demand due to price
• historic inflow sequences are used to represent the range of possible future inflow sequences.

These assumptions are used because they provide a plausible and stable benchmark to assess risk when storage levels are low.  They are not applicable when storage levels are at average or high levels because all thermal plant would not then be expected to be operating.

If there are material changes to any of these assumptions, then we will update the risk curves.

Related Information