Introduction to the Electricity Market

Provides an understanding of essential elements of the NZ Electricity Supply system and the wholesale electricity market, in particular, with a brief introduction to the retail and hedge markets. Includes our fun and informative spot trading game

Course Objective:

To provide an understanding of the essential elements of the NZ electricity supply system and the wholesale electricity market, in particular, along with elements of the retail market and hedge market.

The course includes a number of rounds of our spot market trading game which simulates the process by which traders submit offers to generate into the market each half hour. The trading game enhances your understanding of the course material and gives insights into the dynamics of the real spot market.

Pre-Course Preparation:

Prior to the course, participants should watch this short video covering "electricity basics" as preparation for the course.

Course Content:

Introduction
- Market Overview
- Spot, hedge, retail, frequency keeping and ancillary markets
- Cash flows for generators and retailers
- Generation, retail, transmission, distribution, consumers
- Governing legislation and market rules
- Electricity power flows and concepts
- Energy conversions and units

Transmission: The Grid
- AC grid
- The HVDC link and inter-island power flows
- Losses and line limits
- Transmission and line charges

Demand
- Total demand for electricity in New Zealand
- Demand growth - history and projections
- Seasonal demand profiles
- Embedded generation and grid off-take
- Metering and reconciliation

Supply
- Types of generator and basic characteristics, fuels and renewable sources, generation by fuel type
- Hydro, thermal, geothermal, wind and cogeneration

The Wholesale Spot and Ancillary Markets
- Role of the System Operator in Dispatch
- Offers & Bids
- Market models
- Reserves and frequency keeping

Cost of Supply
- Fuel use and efficiency of thermal generators, heat rate
- Fuel cost calculations
- Long run and short run costs

Electricity Price Behaviour
- Understanding historical price patterns and their origin

The Retail and Hedge Markets
- Retail TOU contracts
- Understanding hedge contracts

Course Notes:

NB: Electricity market course material may vary from the above on the day
Prices are GST exclusive - Download 2025 Course PDF | Download 2026 Course PDF
We have overflow courses set up. These courses are intended to run when there are enough attendees to proceed. Please get in touch if you would like to enroll in these courses, and we will add you to the waiting list.

Please note, if you are located outside of New Zealand and wish to book a course, please send us an email.

Introduction to the Electricity Market Course Schedule
Date	Location	Price - excl.GST	Seats Available	Add to Cart
14th & 15th October 2025	Online	$1,345.00	2	× Participant Details Since all our courses are online, we need to collect the following details for each participant. If you are unsure about the attendee's details, please feel free to use the 'skip' button. We can gather that information at a later date. Course: Introduction to the Electricity Market Date: 14th & 15th October 2025 Participant Name: Participant Email: Shipping Address: Skip
3rd & 4th March 2026	Online	$1,345.00	10	× Participant Details Since all our courses are online, we need to collect the following details for each participant. If you are unsure about the attendee's details, please feel free to use the 'skip' button. We can gather that information at a later date. Course: Introduction to the Electricity Market Date: 3rd & 4th March 2026 Participant Name: Participant Email: Shipping Address: Skip
14th & 15th April 2026	Online	$1,345.00	10	× Participant Details Since all our courses are online, we need to collect the following details for each participant. If you are unsure about the attendee's details, please feel free to use the 'skip' button. We can gather that information at a later date. Course: Introduction to the Electricity Market Date: 14th & 15th April 2026 Participant Name: Participant Email: Shipping Address: Skip
30th June & 1st July 2026	Online	$1,345.00	10	× Participant Details Since all our courses are online, we need to collect the following details for each participant. If you are unsure about the attendee's details, please feel free to use the 'skip' button. We can gather that information at a later date. Course: Introduction to the Electricity Market Date: 30th June & 1st July 2026 Participant Name: Participant Email: Shipping Address: Skip
6th & 7th October 2026	Online	$1,345.00	10	× Participant Details Since all our courses are online, we need to collect the following details for each participant. If you are unsure about the attendee's details, please feel free to use the 'skip' button. We can gather that information at a later date. Course: Introduction to the Electricity Market Date: 6th & 7th October 2026 Participant Name: Participant Email: Shipping Address: Skip

Meet Your Trainer:

Mark Nelson

BSc, PGDipSci

Principal Consultant

Mark leads our wholesale team and brings over 20 years of experience in energy modelling and forecasting. He works with a wide range of clients - from potential new entrants to experienced market participants. Mark's expertise helps guide strategic decisions in a constantly evolving market.