New modelling on New Zealand's energy system

New modelling on New Zealand’s energy system reveals the Government’s 2035 emissions target can be met but will require significant investment, changes to the current regulatory environment and behavioral changes. BEC Executive Director Tina Schirr says the new Energy Strategy Deep-Dive using the TIMES-NZ Model provides a glimpse into potential futures, each with their own benefits and trade-offs. The Government should develop policy that reduces barriers to entry on low-carbon energy solutions, while avoiding outright bans on others. Read more…

Production of sustainable aviation fuel at Marsden Point progresses to next phase

Great news! Channel Infrastructure (CHI) and Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) have today announced that they will progress further investigation into the development of a green hydrogen manufacturing facility at Marsden Point to produce synthetic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) that could supply c.60 million litres of eSAF per year. Read more...

What will global energy transition mean to billions of women and vulnerable communities worldwide?

Involving women, workers, youth, indigenous and vulnerable communities and the new, emerging middle classes – as peers in the global energy transition process and a next electrification revolution is one of the most power levers we can pull as we redesign energy systems for billions of better lives on a healthy planet. Read more...

How much do we pay for infrastructure

It costs a lot to build, operate and maintain our infrastructure and someone needs to pay. How do we pay for infrastructure services?  This research looks at how much households spend on four types of infrastructure services – land transport (roading and public transport), energy (electricity, gas, and heating fuels), water (drinking, storm, and waste), and telecommunications (mobile and fixed-line).  Read more...

Call for evidence: emissions budgets and 2050 emissions reduction target of New Zealand

He Pou a Rangi | Climate Change Commission is calling for evidence to support three important upcoming pieces of advice on Aotearoa New Zealand’s emissions reduction target and emissions budgets.  The call closes on 31 July. Read more... 

BEC Submissions

The BusinessNZ Energy Council has recently submitted on the CCC advice on New Zealand’s second emission reduction plan and the ETS settings. BEC is currently drafting its submission on the ETS Review and the EA’s Consultation on an orderly thermal transition. Read more...

Energy to power crops and feed the world

Smarter EV charging helps New Zealand drive toward a renewable grid

New Zealand is seeing around 1,700 new electric vehicles hit the road every month and is likely to integrate ‘demand flexibility’ into our energy system which means that smart chargers and other tech like smart heat pumps will be able to receive signals from electricity suppliers to optimise their electricity supply. EECA is currently working with the Electricity Engineers’ Association on a pilot to demonstrate the potential of this two-way communication for EV charging at homes and businesses. Read more…

Ara Ake and solarZero collaboration

Ara Ake has announced a major, collaborative electricity pilot with solarZero in which Kiwis with solar and battery systems will contribute to the reliability of electricity supply for New Zealand, unlocking residential demand flexibility at an unprecedented scale. The world-leading pilot integrates ‘distributed energy resources’ of approximately 11,000* individual homes with state-of-the-art Virtual Power Plant (“VPP”) technology* to help manage winter peak demand. Read more...

Transpower - bringing the grid to the people

In the 'Humanising Energy' film featuring Transpower there are growing connections between the remote communities of New Zealand. Faced with a unique and challenging landscape, this dedicated team is making sure their people get the power they need while also looking after the land. Watch the film here.

From fossil fuels to local renewables

NERI have recently launched their report 'From Fossil Fuels to Local Renewables', a research framework to address Aotearoa New Zealand's energy GHGs. The NZ energy sector emits around two thirds of our non-biogenic GHG emissions, almost exclusively coming from fossil fuels. These supply nearly 70% of our energy. To reach Net-Zero we need to shift to local renewable fuels and otherwise cut the demand for fossil fuels. Read more... 

MBIE report on energy hardship measures

The Report on Energy Hardship Measures for year ended June 2022 is the first annual release that provides an indication of how many households and individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand may be experiencing energy hardship. This will help ensure policy interventions and programmes are targeting groups that are most in need. With these measures, it will also be possible to track levels of energy hardship over time to monitor the effectiveness of such policies and programmes.  Read more...