Hard work and dedication over the past 13 years finally paid off for a father-son farming team with the creation of a machine that uses methane to produce power.

Southland farmers John and Quinton Scandrett have worked tirelessly to create a solution for powering their cow shed and for heating water for the farm.

Keeps Harmful Methane Gas out of the Atmosphere

In the end, a machine was created that extracts greenhouse gases from effluent, and changes them into carbon dioxide at his Isla Bank property, Glenarlea Farm.

An Environmental Game Changer for Farmers

Using the farm’s effluent pond which contains wash-out from the milking shed, a black liner traps methane gas, which is then fed through a generator to create electricity. In addition, hot water (at 91degC) is produced which is used for cleaning the farm.

The more animal manure produced, the more energy can be created. A herd of 400 cows is estimated to produce enough energy to produce hot water only, but 800-850 cows would be able to create a full electricity generating set-up. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be reduced by about 30% using the system.

Challenges with Effluent Ponds

One of the main challenges with creating electricity using this process is to keep effluent ponds well insulated. Cooler temperatures slow the natural bacteria, which produces the methane. The pond at Glenarlea Farm had been built with this in mind, but existing effluent ponds could be retrofitted with the technology.

However, since Southland typically has cooler climate, successful use of this technology there means that it can work basically anywhere throughout New Zealand.

New Technology Means Cost Savings for Farmers

Other Southland farmers can anticipate the technology to be available for their farms next year. Although installation costs will vary depending on the effluent pond system currently in place, the electricity savings from the recovery will eventually pay off.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Venture Southland are currently monitoring the project to see what the actual economic payback would be.

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If you’re an electric vehicle owner in South Auckland, it’s easy to keep your vehicle powered with help from the area’s ten charging stations.

Vector, an electricity supplier, has rapid chargers at Auckland Airport Shopping Centre, the Z Energy Skyway fuel station on George Bolt Memorial Drive, and on Walters Road, Takanini. They’ve also supplied Manukau, Wiri, M?ngere, and East Tamaki with standard chargers.

The chargers near Auckland Airport are proving very popular, with an average use of 15.5 times each day.

Install Vector’s EV Charging App for Helpful Information

Vector's EV Charging App is a useful tool for owners of electric cars. Not only does it provide information about charging stations that are currently available for use, but users can also see charger information.

The app also features a handy scheduler that lets electric car owners book their vehicle in to use the charger.

Forward Thinking Technology Available from Vector

Vector has technology that’s available so customers can ensure their electric vehicle is charged at a time when demand is low. Customers can plug in their electric vehicle, and program it to be ready to go for whenever it’s needed. The technology knows when the demand is low on the network, so can charge your EV at a suitable time.

Another technology that Vector currently has available enables electric vehicle owners to charge up their car, as well as take power back out of it for their home or business. This technology has huge potential – an electric Nissan Leaf can provide ten hours’ worth of power for an average household!

Government Focussed on Increasing EV’s in New Zealand

In May of 2016, the New Zealand government launched its “Electric Vehicles Programme.” The program’s main goal is to see approximately 64,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2021.

To help reach this goal, measures like reducing some of the barriers and investigating ways to further support the uptake of electric vehicles were implemented.

New Zealand’s Well Suited to Electric Vehicles

New Zealand workers have a low average commute, which can be easily handled by an electric vehicle’s battery. Overnight home charging is convenient because 85% of New Zealand homes have off-street parking. Because 80% of New Zealand has highly renewable energy resources, there is enough supply for every vehicle in the country to be charged with electricity.

New Zealand is in a great position to benefit from electric vehicles. Compared to other countries, New Zealand’s high amount of renewable resources means that the country produces 80 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

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The New Zealand Super Fund has recently dumped Genesis Energy, owners of the Huntly Power Station (New Zealand’s largest thermal power station) in order to cut the fund’s carbon intensity and exposure to carbon reserves. As of August 15, 2017, the $35 billion fund, which was established to help cover future state pension costs, is now declared “low-carbon.”

Dumped More than $950 Million in Investments

As part of the New Zealand Super Fund’s move to reduce its carbon footprint, more than $950 million in investments has ended, including its holding in a state-owned electricity company. Although NZ Super has investments in numerous other carbon intensive industry companies, this latest move has been welcomed by environmental and investment groups. It has brought NZ Super a long way towards hitting its target of cutting its exposure to carbon reserves by 40 percent and carbon intensity by 20 percent.

Fund Now Declared “Low-Carbon”

Last year, the fund’s investment strategy pledged to reduce its investment in fossil fuels and instead, target clean energy to prepare for climate change. The overall fund’s carbon intensity is now just under 20 percent and the exposure to carbon reserves was reduced by 21.5 percent. In total, this latest decision saw the fund exit 279 companies.

Still Invested in Other Carbon Intensive Companies

Of the remaining investments, the fund has investments in at least 29 airlines, 139 companies in the “oil, gas and consumables” sector and almost 200 companies in the “metals and mining” sectors. In addition, it still holds high-carbon stocks periodically due to the discretionary decisions of active managers.

Companies Can Return to Portfolio in Future

According to Matt Whineray, Chief Investment Officer, cutting exposure to companies at risk from climate change was not the same as other categorical exclusions, such as tobacco manufacturers. If companies improve their management of climate risk, they will have the opportunity to become a part of the portfolio again in the future.

Financial Markets Under-Priced Climate Change into the Future

Because the global energy system is transitioning away from fossil fuels, reducing exposure to carbon emissions and reserves is a low-cost insurance policy. In addition, the recent weather shows how crucial is to that New Zealand has a variety of energy sources.

Genesis Energy Not Concerned; Understands its Importance

As the long, dry winter of 2017 has already shown New Zealand, Genesis Energy can help provide NZ businesses and households with energy when needed. In 2017, almost half of the company’s energy generation has been from renewable sources, up from 16 percent during 2016. The company is not concerned by NZ Super’s move, as other investors continue to see and support the advantages of this company’s thermal capacity.

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Low Water Inflow into Clutha River

Compared to the last 85 years of record keeping, the lowest average inflows into the Clutha River were recently seen this past March, April and May. Because of the continued shortage of water into Clutha River's hydro-electric dams, Contact Energy has had to come up with a solution to continue to meet customers’ energy demands.

North Island Gas Plants to the Rescue!

The solution to the water shortage was to turn to Contact Energy’s North Island thermal plants to work harder to fill the energy void. More energy to the North Island (compared to the South Island) is being supplied by the Cook Strait cable.

Thermal Energy Needed when Weather Does Not Cooperate

Although the New Zealand electricity market strives to be as renewable as possible, sometimes it is not possible to meet energy demands using only water and wind as resources. When help is needed, the thermal energy gas stations can help fill the energy gap, which is what is happening currently.

More Rain Would Stop the Lake Levels from Decreasing Any Further

The recent weather cold fronts from the south have been bringing snow instead of rain. This, in turn, has been causing dramatic increases in electricity demand. Overall, however, this winter is warmer and dryer than previous years, so more rain would help increase the water levels and help the power supply issue.

If hydro lake levels continue to drop, more pressure would be applied to alternative power sources throughout the country, which could lead to environmental impacts.

Low Water Levels Resulted in Greater Spot Power Prices

Because hydro-generated energy makes up about 60% of New Zealand’s electricity, the recent low levels in the hydro lakes have meant wholesale prices continue to increase. Customers who are on wholesale pricing agreements with retailers are noticing the increase on their energy bills. Although spot tariffs can offer long-term savings, customers who choose this must be willing to weather periods of higher than average prices, such as what we are currently facing. Spot tariff customers should keep an eye out for price spikes and get into the habit of shifting some of their energy use to off-peak times.

To eliminate any risk for future price spikes, customers should consider switching to a traditional fixed rate or smooth-pay plan.

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Has your electricity rate increased sharply, due to the low lake levels? If so, let Switchme help you compare power prices to see if something more reasonable is available! Contact us today for more details and to use our free power price comparison calculator.

With the recent drop in hydro lake levels across the South Island, wholesale (spot) electricity customers have noticed electricity rates increasing since May. Those who are on traditional fixed rate electricity tariffs will most likely not notice any increases in the near future; however, for those who are on spot tariffs, increases are predicted to continue throughout the winter.

Critical Lake Levels are Not Anticipated

60 percent of New Zealand’s electricity is made up of hydro-generated energy. However, similar low-level conditions seen in 2003 that warranted a national electricity conservation campaign are still a long way off. Barring major unexpected equipment failures, there is less than a 2% risk of experiencing critically low lake levels.

Reducing Your Electricity Costs

Consumers on spot tariffs are advised to keep an eye on their provider’s prices and watch for price spikes. Flick Electric, one spot tariff provider, has a mobile app that allows users to receive warning notifications when prices increase. To help reduce the electricity rate increase, it’s best to get into the habit of shifting some of your electricity usage to off-peak times.

Taking Advantage of Off-Peak Rates

Are you a spot tariff consumer who is worried about your hydro bill skyrocketing this winter, or are you a fixed rate user looking to reduce costs? Follow the tips below to help keep your hydro bill manageable:

• Use the dishwasher throughout the night, rather than right after dinner
• Turn on your clothes dryer during the day, or overnight
• Use draught stoppers and tighten hinges, latches and hatches to eliminate heat loss
• If you don’t have central heating, use a heater directly in the room you want to heat and keep the door closed
• Install energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures, such as shower heads
• Ensure you have proper insulation throughout your home

Completely Eliminate the Worry of an Electricity Increase

Spot tariffs eliminate the buffer between your bill and the wholesale price of power, which changes every half hour. Although this type of pricing system can offer long-term savings, consumers need to be okay with weathering periods of higher than average prices.

Consumers who do not want to risk further price increases should consider switching to a traditional, fixed rate or smooth-pay plan.

Let Switchme Save YOU Money!

Has your electricity rate increased sharply, due to the low lake levels? If so, let Switchme help you compare power prices to see if something more reasonable is available! Contact us today for more details and to use our free comparison calculator.

Genesis Energy are looking for ways to keep their Huntly coal-burners operating. The closure of these coal units would mark the end of New Zealand's large scale coal-fired generation.

The partially privatised electricity generator reported a $35.9 million profit for the six months to December 31, down from $68.2m previously.

The fall was largely due to swings in the value of financial contracts, with operating profits up 1.5 per cent to $175.5m.

With power demand flat, the last two coal-burning units at the Huntly power station were due to be shut down in 2018.

Chief executive Albert Brantley said Genesis was preparing for the closure date, and had not changed its position that use of the units would continue to fall.

However, he said the company was open to approaches from other power companies, and was already engaged in discussions with some of them.

"We will continue to evaluate commercial proposals that could deliver value to our shareholders."

Genesis chairman Dame Jenny Shipley said the company had faced intense retail competition and variable wholesale market conditions.

Profits had held up through better than expected generation output, a focus on customer acquisition, and close attention to expenses.

Shipley confirmed Brantley would leave the company on April 29, to be succeeded by incoming chief executive Marc England.

Genesis announced an interim dividend of 8.2 cents a share, to be paid on April 15.

Source Stuff.co.nz