Pilot Participation Opportunities
The Foundation
The WE Share Community Power Project is building a connected, people-powered energy system across Waiheke. It combines new and existing solar and battery installations into a coordinated network that strengthens the island’s resilience and keeps value within the community.
The Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is one of the enabling tools that helps manage and share this locally generated energy — but the real innovation is the community ownership model and the collaboration behind it.
From this foundation, participation can grow at the level that works for you:
- Stay focused on the benefits for your own home.
- Or take part in wider community energy opportunities as the project expands.
- Every system contributes to shared capability and independence.
Solar + batteries are where community power begins — participation grows from there. Waiheke is building a power-positive future, where energy is generated, shared, and its value stays right here on the island.
Your participation helps prove how communities can take control of their energy future — locally governed, community first.
Together these systems form the backbone of a shared energy network — one that grows stronger every time a household joins in. Here’s why that matters for every family and the island as a whole.
Your participation helps prove how communities can take control of their energy future — locally governed, community first.
Why This Matters
- Storms, outages, and rising costs show we need stronger resilience.
- Communities deserve models that include everyone — not only those who can afford solar.
- Keeping more value on the island strengthens wellbeing and the local economy.
This pilot demonstrates how that works in practice.
What We’re Testing Together
- Smart sharing of locally generated energy.
- Fairer ways for households and businesses to benefit.
- Storage that protects the island when the grid is down.
- Participation that supports both retailers and the lines company.
- Transparent data and independent evaluation.
Community-first innovation — proven with real evidence.
Participation Pathways
Each of the following roles connects you directly to the WE Share framework. Choose what fits your capacity and interest — there’s a place for everyone.
- Home-Based Energy Participants (Solar + Battery)
- Share surplus energy to support family or neighbours.
- Join local backup circles that protect each other during outages.
- Take part in peak-shaving and flexibility trials.
Your home becomes part of the island’s resilience.
- Community Host / Event Organiser — Host local sessions and invite feedback. View Role Brief → Community Event Host→
- Induction Facilitator — Welcome and orient new participants to WE Share values. View Role Brief → Induction Facilitator →
- Founding Supporter — Provide early material or advocacy support. View Role Brief → Founding Member →
- Behind-the-Meter Innovators
- Shift power use away from peak times to lower community costs.
- Enable smart, automated demand response with innovation partners.
- Help validate new pricing and sharing models.
Your everyday choices strengthen the local system.
- Technical Collaborator – Solar / VPP — Advise on installations, testing, and performance. View Role Brief → Technical Collaborator – Partner →
- Data, Privacy & AI Stewardship — Support safe, ethical use of data and digital tools in WE Share. View Role Brief → Data, Privacy & AI Steward →
- Community Energy Donors
- Support households and services that need it most.
- Provide ongoing assistance to essential community facilities.
Energy becomes a form of care.
- Donate solar power – Support households and services by donating solar power. View Role Brief → Community Energy Donor →
- Donate Time & Energy – Assist with Funding & Partnerships. View Role Brief → Funding & Partnerships Applications Lead →
- Resilience Hub Supporters
- Help power schools, halls, and essential hubs.
- Strengthen community connection during outages.
Community keeps operating — even when the grid doesn’t.
- Create &/or Support Community projects – Help neighbours and community spaces stay connected and supported during outages. View Role Brief → Community Resilience Supporter →
- Commercial Partners
- Commercial organisations are a core part of the wider energy ecosystem.
- Lines companies, retailers, solar suppliers & installers, innovators, and financiers each hold capabilities that contribute to resilience, flexibility, and future community energy pathways.
Commercial power supporting community resilience.
- Explore commercial opportunities within the WE Share Community Power project. View Business Opportunities → Business Opportunities →
- Future Mobility Participants
- Test vehicle-to-home capability.
- Trial smart charging aligned with community-power goals.
Your EV could act as a shared energy resource for yourself and/or the whole community.
Register your interest to take part in future mobility trials.
- Emerging Participation Roles
- Marine-energy integration, local micro-grids, and seasonal storage.
- Regular Community Monthly meetings
Everyone has a place in powering Waiheke.
- Values Steward – Uphold kaupapa and provide guidance when values need clarification. View Role Brief → Values Steward →
- Meeting Facilitator — Uphold kaupapa, keep discussions on track, and support consent-based decision processes. View Role Brief → Meeting Facilitator →
- Communications Facilitator – Keep communications timely, transparent, consistent, and accessible. View Role Brief → Communications Facilitator →
- Specialist Support Roles — Contribute specialist skills such as accounting, legal, digital systems, or strategic communications. View Role Brief → Specialist Support Roles →
What Happens Next
We’re working with strategic partners — including Ecotricity, the University of Auckland and several innovation providers — on the next phase of the pilot.
Register your interest now — once VPP capability is live (early 2026) and approvals are confirmed, we’ll contact you about participation options.
No commitment. No pressure. You shape what comes next.