National Flex Discovery Fund reopens with renewed focus on digital
Ara Ake has reopened the National Flex Discovery Fund after a successful first round in 2025, continuing its support for smarter ways to manage electricity demand.
The Fund helps flexibility service providers connect devices such as batteries, electric vehicles and smart appliances to open-access platforms, so their energy-saving and grid-supporting potential can be seen and used by potential buyers. Much of the flexibility from these devices remains underutilised because it has not yet been made visible or connected to existing systems.
“There’s a huge amount of untapped flexibility already sitting in homes and businesses. By making that energy visible and usable, we can strengthen New Zealand’s energy resilience in a more affordable and sustainable way,” says Sophie Braggins, acting Chief Executive at Ara Ake.
The first round of the Fund enabled nine new connections to flexibility platforms and supported five projects to improve system performance and the reliability of flexibility services. Funding recipients included SUPA Energy, Lastmyle, Octopus Energy, PowerHub, EWI Energy, Cortexo, Counties Energy, Gridsmart, Ecotricity, Evnex, Simply Energy, and Flex-Able.
“With this support, Flex-Able has been able to make our assets discoverable through the Flexviz platform, bringing visibility to New Zealand’s wider energy ecosystem. Our technology optimises thermal storage like hot water and refrigeration, shifting energy use, reducing grid demand and saving money,” says Josh Benjamin, General Manager at Flex-Able.
“The connection to the Flexviz platform positions our systems to fully engage as the country moves toward a mature flexibility market. It’s exciting to be part of the shift to a more resilient, lower-emissions grid.”
This round has a renewed focus on digital tools and software that make it easier for flexible energy resources to become visible and to work together seamlessly on open, shared systems.
Applications for the reopened Fund are now open and close on 31 March 2026. A webinar will be held for potential applicants. For more details on eligibility, how to apply and sign up to the webinar, visit the project page.