ENERGY

Renewable energy skills from Canterbury to benefit Bhutan

New Zealand expertise in renewable energy will be put to good use in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan when a University of Canterbury (UC) engineering student returns to her homeland. Sonam Zam is a new graduate of UC’s Master of Engineering Studies (Renewable Energy) programme in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering department. Her travel to Christchurch and study at UC was funded through a New Zealand Scholarship provided by the New Zealand Government. The scholarships are aimed at providing tertiary students with vital skills and knowledge to promote development in their home country. Sonam, who graduated top of her 2012 civil engineering class in Bhutan, says she has learnt a huge amount from the UC master’s degree which will have practical application when she returns to her role at the state-owned Druk Green Power Corporation in Bhutan, which operates and maintains hydropower assets. “What I’ve studied in New Zealand is renewable energy, hydro, solar and wind and I’m hoping I can apply these back at home. In some remote areas of Bhutan, hydropower isn’t viable so solar and wind-generated energy would be more practical options. I was completely new to those when I came here.” Sonam says the UC degree provided an up-to-date world view of climate change. “It also covered what can be done, not necessarily a solution, but a way forward.” “My Master’s project was focused on pumped hydro which will be important in Bhutan because at present we don’t have reservoirs for storing water.” She and several other international students awarded New Zealand Scholarships to study at UC, including people from Brazil and Zimbabwe, took part in a completion ceremony in November before returning to their home countries.

Climate change event in July

The Sustainable Business Council together with the Climate Leaders Coalition, EECA, Ministry for the Environment, and WWF New Zealand is holding a one-day event to empower business action on climate change. EMBARK is being held at SkyCity Auckland on July 24 and is designed to help businesses learn practical ways to reduce their emissions. “EMBARK is a one stop shop for businesses of all shapes and sizes who want to take action on climate change but don’t necessarily know how,” Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Council Abbie Reynolds says. “The day is by business, for business. It will see those already on a low emissions journey share what they have learnt to help others make faster progress.” The morning will see speakers from the Climate Leaders Coalition, including Air New Zealand, NZ Post, Vector, Westpac, Z Energy, The Warehouse Group, SkyCity, Ports of Auckland, Meridian, and Fonterra talk about what they have done to reduce their emissions. They will also share practical tips to empower businesses to draw up their transition plans, measure their carbon footprints, set an emissions reduction target and finance it. The afternoon’s facilitated sessions will give businesses the opportunity to meet some of the providers of low emissions products and services who can help them make it happen. “Our aim is that by the end of the day attendees will come away with the building blocks of a great transition plan and will be connected with the people who can help them turn their plan into reality,” Ms Reynolds says. The event will also be used to celebrate the first anniversary of the Climate Leaders Coalition, including what it has collectively achieved over the past year, and the launch of a new statement. The event is certified carbon neutral. More information and registration is available […]

Energy efficiency on the land

-Edgar Ludwig, consulting engineer for energy efficiency Efficient use of fossil fuel and electricity will help farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the energy bill. While fossil fuel is mainly used for the vehicle fleet, electricity is used for running equipment such as milk processing and feed processing. Each farm is different and there is no general data available to gain sufficient understanding about their specific energy use and emission. This makes it hard for farmers to identify detailed saving opportunities and take actions. Particularly on milk processing where there are a variety of opportunities which should be addressed. Such as: Adequately sizing and locating equipment such as coolers, compressors and condensers. Optimising the operation for equipment such as pumps for vacuum, milk and water. Insulating tanks and recovering the heat from the refrigeration side to generate hot water. Operating the lighting with energy efficient bulbs, natural lighting. Deploying of renewable energy sources such as solar PV. The New Zealand government and the advisory sector provide practical advice and funding to help the agriculture economy to reduce their impact on climate change. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority EECA provides a wide range of self-assessment tools to map the energy efficiency, the achievable savings and compare against other dairy farms across New Zealand. More details are provided in their web site. https://www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/tools/dairy-farm-energy-efficiency-tool. The Energy Management Association New Zealand EMANZ provides a directory of specialist for conducting detailed energy surveys in accordance to industrial standards. The outcome of such an energy survey will include: Analysis of current energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis of the farming benchmark and tariff structure. A plan to measure and manage the energy users. A business case for each opportunity to make a decision on the investment. An action plan. More details are provided […]

EITE business committed to low-emissions economy

A new report shows firms with high energy use working responsibly towards climate goals. A report by Castalia Strategic Advisors shows that EITE (Emission Intensive and Trade Exposed) businesses are proactively reducing emissions and have a common interest in helping the Government to meet its international climate change obligations. (Emissions-intensive firms use significant amounts of energy to create their products. Trade-exposed firms sell products overseas in competition with overseas firms. Firms that are both emissions-intensive and trade-exposed bear the cost of reducing emissions while competing against overseas firms that do not bear similar costs.) The report shows that New Zealand’s EITE businesses are a significant segment of the economy, employing around 15,000 New Zealanders. The businesses, members of a BusinessNZ EITE working group, want to help the Government achieve workable emissions reduction policies and an energy-intensive sector that is responsive to climate change policies. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says EITE businesses want to see emissions reduction policies that take account of unintended consequences and potential risks to the economy. “For example, there is a risk of uncompetitive emissions pricing forcing domestic businesses to close, with production shifting to countries with higher emissions intensity. “The EITE group is seeking ongoing and constructive dialogue with the Government to help ensure that unnecessary trade-offs are avoided, and investment can be encouraged. “EITE businesses produce goods that form the backbone of our economy including fresh food, building materials, critical industrial chemicals, and industrial metals. “EITE businesses create jobs, wealth and regional diversification, and contribute significantly to higher living standards for all New Zealanders. “Any emissions reduction policy must consider the economic and social impacts it will have on this important sector. “Predictable and durable policy settings are the cornerstone to unlocking greater investment in low-emission initiatives, and we welcome any opportunity to work […]

Policies and actions needed to get to low emissions economy

BusinessNZ says clear policies and actions and a political bipartisan approach will be needed to meet the ambitious targets contained in new zero carbon legislation. The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill establishes a net zero target for long-lived gases such as carbon and nitrous oxide and a target for cutting agricultural methane emissions by up to 47 percent, by 2050. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said last year’s consultation exercise showed there is wide public support for a 2050 zero carbon target. “What we need now is a plan of action to deliver on these ambitious targets,” Mr Hope said. “New Zealand is already facing a 2030 target that needs policies and actions in place to be achieved. The work required to clarify actions needed for both the 2030 and 2050 targets should be a priority. “Business is keen to engage with the Government and Climate Change Commission on the workplan for both. “We need to implement changes that don’t get ahead of our trade competitors and ensure our exporters remain internationally competitive, while effectively transitioning to a zero-carbon economy. “The next step needs to be a bipartisan approach by the main political parties in shepherding this Bill through to becoming legislation. A unified, shared approach by our political leaders will allow the legislation to deliver clear, long-term signals to businesses and consumers.”

Hawke’s Bay businesses, councils partner on climate action

By Adele Rose – 3R Group Chief Executive When it comes to action on human-accelerated climate change in New Zealand we often look to conversations held in the main centres like Auckland and Wellington, or action from central Government to lead the way. But Hawke’s Bay is showing regional Aotearoa is just as capable of taking the lead. Some of the region’s five councils have been working on a response plan to climate change since 2014, and now the business community, alongside the councils, is coming together to tackle the issue through the Climate Action HB initiative. Achieving real and meaningful action on accelerated climate change has, and always will, rely on partnerships. Partnerships between people, businesses, councils and governments. In Hawke’s Bay you need look little further than the coastal erosion to see the very real effects of human accelerated climate change on the region. The economy of the Bay is heavily reliant on tourism and the primary industries, and while sea level rise is most often cited when talking about climate change, factors like warmer winters, fewer frosts and unseasonable wet and dry periods will impact the primary sector particularly, and the region overall. These impacts have obvious consequences for everyone – from residents living next to the sea, to orchards in the plains and farms in the hill country. Other impacts, such as food security, go beyond the region itself. The critical need to address these impacts was seen in the attendance of nearly 120 representatives from Hawke’s Bay businesses and councils at the inaugural event for Climate Action HB, an initiative led by 3R Group with support from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. Attendees at the Business CoLab event on November 25 in Napier included major regional stakeholders such as Napier Port, Hawke’s Bay Airport, and Pan […]

Revolutionary power-efficient solution for network energy infrastructure

An exclusive Australian supplier of DC Power Converters and energy solutions, Powerbox Australia, recently released EnergyHub by Enatel Energy at Comms Connect Melbourne Exhibition and Conference. More than 1500 people from a broad range of industries attended this years event seeking out the very latest communications information, technologies and solutions. EnergyHub is a complete lithium-ion power solution for providers of power utilities, telecommunications and security, as well as transport operators. These industry sectors have historically relied on lead-acid battery solutions and worn the associated operation costs. Incorporating both DC rectifier technology and integrated lithium-ion battery modules, EnergyHub from Enatel Energy offers a truly dynamic li-ion solution. EnergyHub offers significant financial benefits because solutions are more efficient and less maintenance is required over the long term, vastly reducing operational costs when compared to the conventional lead-acid type batteries still widely used. As organisations begin to work with brand new EnergyHub, they will notice that this revolutionary system allows for much greater energy density and depth of discharge. “EnergyHub, which utilises li-on batteries, leaves more room for revenue-generating network equipment. Tight cell management from Enatel’s proprietary BMS in combination with the new RM848HE Rectifiers allows for optimised charging/discharging to improve system functionality,” said James Rutty, Business Development Manager of Powerbox Australia. “In addition, the EnergyHub requires zero set-up cost, can be easily scaled up to meet changing load demands and it shares a hot pluggable interface with EnergyPak battery modules to maximise usability.” According to Mr Rutty, safety of the system is ensured with the use of ‘Cold Terminal Design’, which stops voltage from travelling through the battery’s power and control pins to cut off the supply of current when it’s not connected to the charger. EnergyHub offers complete transparency of all energy data including battery cycle life, depth of discharge information, […]

James_Shaw,_2014 Ministers article on web NZM

Ministers to meet world energy leaders at premier Wellington event

Government Ministers and energy sector leaders from around the Asia Pacific will meet at a Summit in Wellington later this month. The BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) and World Energy Council (WEC) will host their second Asia Pacific Energy Leaders’ Summit from October 31 to November 1 at the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa. New Zealand Minister of Energy and Innovation the Hon Megan Woods and Minister of Climate Change the Hon James Shaw (pictured) will host a Gala Lunch and Networking Event to discuss the economic transition faced by countries that are moving to decarbonise their economies. The event will also feature Prime Minister of the Cook Islands the Hon Henry Puna. The New Zealand Government is attracting international attention for its ambitious climate change goals, says WEC Secretary-General Dr Christoph Frei. The targets – 100pc renewable electricity, in a normal hydrological year, by 2035 and a net zero emissions economy by 2050 – commit New Zealand to a long-term transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. “Climate change is a global issue, and one that necessitates leadership and collaboration between countries if action is to be effective,” Dr Frei says. “The Summit is an opportunity to showcase our respective country capabilities in the provision of renewable energy and to demonstrate leadership on climate change action.” The programme features international speakers from Amazon, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Daikin, Uber and innovators from Silicon Valley. They will share insights on how to accelerate innovation, design new customer-centric business models at a time of rapid change, and create the future rather than predicting it. “The 3D vision – New Energy Perspectives Summit is a must-attend event for those who want to be better equipped to understand and deal with the changing energy landscape,” says BEC Chair David Caygill. “The […]

Revered nation’s Statoil explorations hushed up here

Norway’s Statoil is one of the major international investors in oil exploration in the New Zealand jurisdiction. Statoil (State oil) operations include among others the 28,000 square kilometre permit in the East Coast and Pegasus basins, southeast off New Zealand’s North Island. Norway was among the most fervent backers of the Paris Climate accords. Norway with a population similar to New Zealand’s has accumulated from its oil developments a sovereign wealth fund superior to Saudi Arabia’s. At a time when New Zealand is in the throes of shutting down its oil exploration sector, Norway, held up as an example of nationwide Green values, seeks to develop its already immense resources. The fact that this Green-revered nation is also one of the major current oil explorers in the New Zealand jurisdiction has been deliberately ignored. The Statoil revelations come at the same time as indications that under pressure to appease its doctrinal wing the Labour coalition government introduced the exploration ban even when it was receiving indications of the presence in New Zealand of Mycoplasma bovis. So far officials have sat on the real problem which is that the existence of the pathogen in New Zealand will give international buyers, already looking at a global over-supply, the opportunity to break contracts. The plausibility notion behind the original anti- oil campaign was to allow New Zealand, in its own popular parlance, to “punch above its weight” in international forums of the well-intentioned kind. Now, in contrast, New Zealand is looking silly having wilfully signalled the end of a major locomotive, pulling, force in its economy at a time when its main force, dairy, was entering a period, to put it mildly, of uncertainty. This in turn is compounded because the main region of oil exploration and production in New Zealand is Taranaki […]

Business impacted by oil and gas ban

BusinessNZ says banning new petroleum and gas exploration will have significant implications for New Zealand business. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the Government’s decision to continue to recognise existing permits was important, as doing otherwise would have had a potentially devastating effect on investment into New Zealand. “It will be important to see what Government commitment is being made to affected businesses, and how quickly other high value businesses can be developed to fill the void. “Many businesses will be affected by this ban, particularly those using gas. It will likely mean higher gas prices because of the restriction in supply, raising costs for enterprises that use gas for their operations. “Exporters such as Fonterra, NZ Steel, Methanex and Refining NZ may find their products less competitive in world markets. “It is concerning that the ban has been imposed without any consultation with industry. “For the longer term, this decision may raise doubts among investors as to the viability of investing in New Zealand business. If a multi-billion dollar energy industry can be banned, what other industries might face the same fate? “Confidence among both overseas and domestic investors may be the longer-term casualty of today’s decision,” Mr Hope said.

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