Digitisation initiatives as a foundation for accelerating the transition to a sustainable future for energy and water companies

The main presentation, bearing the title above, was by Dr Zeev Berkowitz, who obtained his PhD in Operations Management from the University of Auckland in 2006. Zeev has extensive experience in the service sector, including as Chief Operating Officer since 2020 of Gentrack Limited, a specialist software solutions provider for energy and water utilities (as well as airports) worldwide.

Headquartered in New Zealand, Gentrack’s market capitalisation has surged six-fold to over $1 billion in just the last two years, and it now features in both the S&P NZX50 and MidCap Index. This strong performance has been driven by the growing demand for technology that enhances operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in utilities industries. Here in New Zealand, Gentrack’s customers include both energy – especially electricity companies – and water companies. In the former sector are Genesis Energy and Mercury Energy – with 53% of homes billed on Gentrack software. While utility firms in both sectors play a crucial role in supporting supply chains, they also have their own distinct supply chains (of electrons and water). Gentrack is doing some remarkable things to better match supply and demand there.

As the big picture, Zeev explained how Gentrack’s technology propels efficiency across both the energy and water sectors in many countries. The global energy sector, driven by technological innovations and regulatory pressures, is transforming toward a net-zero carbon future. This shift is characterised by substantial investments in diverse renewables. In New Zealand, the transition looms all the larger as the country aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030, leveraging its robust hydro, geothermal, and wind resources. Gentrack’s software assists by streamlining energy trading, optimising operational processes, reducing costs, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Across the Tasman, a standout example of Gentrack’s innovation is its partnership with EnergyAustralia (EA), a leading energy retailer. Gentrack has been instrumental in supporting EA’s rollout of innovative home battery and solar solutions so households can generate and exchange electricity, while automating charging and payment processes. By using real-time data to predict energy prices and solar output, Gentrack’s technology optimises battery usage, saves consumers money, and helps stabilise the grid.

In the same country, Gentrack's investment in Amber Electric, a fast-growing clean energy retailer, further strengthens its commitment to sustainable solutions. Amber Electric gives Australians direct access to wholesale prices, offering greener and more affordable options.

Zeev’s colleague, fellow University of Auckland alumnus Matthew Rouse, homed in on the water side. Matthew directs Gentrack’s Water Business Unit worldwide. He addressed that industry’s pressing challenges, especially around access to clean water and the environmental risks posed by inefficient water and wastewater management. He, too, emphasised technology as critical. For instance, smart metering and decentralised water sources, such as via local desalination plants, are key innovations to help improve resource management and ensure long-term water security. As global water demand continues to grow, digital solutions are essential for monitoring quality, optimising supply chains, and managing resources more effectively.

Bringing together the two sides of the picture, Gentrack’s technology aims to integrate renewable energy with water systems to create sustainable, closed-loop models. These models digitise utilities to optimise both energy and water use. This combined approach is especially relevant for New Zealand, where renewables, above all hydro, play a significant role in energy production. Because even this hydro-rich country grapples with water security challenges caused by climate change and population growth, digital solutions will be crucial in enhancing long-term resilience and resource management.

Zeev ended on the increasing complexity which the whole utility sector worldwide faces as it navigates the journey toward net zero, driven by a growing population, natural resource limits, and escalating environmental pressures. However, innovation and accelerated investment in technology offer significant opportunities to optimise operations, reduce inefficiencies, and develop more resilient, sustainable systems. Gentrack is proving a most positive enabler.

Zeev’s rich and compact presentation slide deck and a video are available on our website here.

Hasan Nur is a PhD student in Operations and Supply Chain Management. hasan.nur@auckland.ac.nz