Intro to Energy Demand Forecasting -Yes Energy

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The IEEE AUT Student Branch hosted a successful event titled “Introduction to Energy Demand Forecasting”, in collaboration with YES Energy, on 10/04/25. The event brought together students, academics, and industry professionals to explore the critical topic of energy demand forecasting in the context of New Zealand's evolving energy sector.

The session was led by experts from YES Energy, who provided a comprehensive overview of energy demand forecasting — a vital tool used to ensure the stability and efficiency of the electricity grid.

Key topics covered included:

• Energy demand patterns in New Zealand – how regional and national trends are influenced by weather, population, and technology shifts.

• Variables affecting demand forecasting, including temperature, economic activity, time of day, and societal behavior.

• Use of graphs and real-world data to demonstrate historical and predicted energy demand curves across NZ.

The lecture highlighted the integration of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques in demand forecasting. These models help improve the accuracy and adaptability of predictions by analyzing large, complex datasets.

The event featured an engaging Q&A session, where students asked insightful questions related to:

• The role of forecasting in achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

• How EV adoption and EV charging patterns influence energy demand and grid stability.

• The relationship between demand forecasting and frequency control in the NZ grid.

• Career pathways into energy forecasting and the growing demand for data scientists and energy engineers in the sector.

Career Guidance and Student Takeaways:

YES Energy shared advice on how students can enter the field through:

• Internships and graduate roles in energy consulting and analytics.

• Learning tools like Python, MATLAB, and data visualization platforms.

The event concluded with a discussion on the future of energy forecasting, especially in the context of decarbonisation.

The evening wrapped up with informal networking over free pizza, allowing students to connect with speakers and peers interested in energy systems, forecasting, and sustainability.

This event successfully introduced students to a crucial area of the power and energy sector, blending technical knowledge with real-world applications and career inspiration. We look forward to hosting more such sessions to support the professional growth of engineering students and foster stronger industry-academic connections.

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Group Photo		72.62 KiB
Assad Mohammad	Presentation	1.83 MiB
Henry Chen	Presentation	1.41 MiB
Henry chen_2	Presentation	904.35 KiB
tetsuya Totsuka	Presentation	1.74 MiB

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