Two EV proponents in EECA awards

Two prominent proponents of electric vehicles have made the finalist list in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency Awards.

Northpower and Charge Net are up against Christchurch City Council owned Red Bus in the Energy backed Transport Award category.

The Awards celebrate businesses, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in energy efficiency or renewable energy.

This year, more than 100 entries were received from which the judges selected finalists for ten categories. As well as large and small companies and businesses, the list of finalists includes local councils, community and charitable trusts, high schools, sports clubs and university students. They come from all around New Zealand, with one even from Antarctica.

Collectively, the 2016 Award entries will save or generate 1.1 petajoules (PJ) of energy, equivalent to the annual energy use of all households in New Plymouth, and avoid 120,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, about one-fifth of the annual emissions of all households in New Zealand.

Head judge, Ralph Sims, says the judging panel was impressed by the variety and quality of the entries in this year’s awards.

“We’ve had an excellent range of high-quality entries, giving rise to a first-rate group of finalists. For the many entrants who have been in previous awards, it was gratifying to see them making continuing progress in their energy efficiency and renewable energy journeys.

“For first time entries, we were excited by the potential we saw for the replication of their performance across New Zealand.”

EECA chief executive, Mike Underhill, says this year’s finalists are all trailblazers in their efforts to find innovative solutions that tackle energy use head on.

“With more than 100 entries in this year’s awards, it is clear that many businesses, councils, community groups, schools and individuals in New Zealand are striving hard to become more energy efficient, to practically apply renewable energy systems, and to generally reduce their carbon footprints.

“All our finalists are leading by example and their inspiring stories will influence a wider commitment to energy efficiency across New Zealand society,” Underhill says.

Winners will be revealed on 18 May at a ceremony in Auckland. The event is hosted by EECA with support from principal sponsors Fujitsu General NZ, Vector and NZME. On the night the Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon Simon Bridges, will present the Supreme Award, which is selected from the winners of each category.

More details about the EECA Awards and our finalists can be found at eeca.govt.nz/awards

Z Energy Transport Award
Charge Net NZ
Northpower Ltd
Red Bus Ltd.

NZME Business Service Excellence Award
DETA Consulting
Emsol
Energy Solutions Providers
TM Consultants Ltd

Fujitsu General NZ Community Award
Community Energy Action Charitable Trust
Great Barrier Island Community Radio Trust
Project Litefoot Trust
Victoria Energy

Vector Energy Leadership Award
Brian Cox, Bioenergy Association of New Zealand
Michelle Dawson, Auckland and Waitakere Councils
Dr Viv Heslop, Panuku Development Auckland
Phil Squire, Sustainability Trust

EMANZ Energy Management Award
ANZCO
Auckland International Airport Ltd
Evonik Peroxide Ltd
Orora Beverage Cans
Trident High School

University of Waikato Innovation Award
Charge Net NZ
Gull New Zealand
Hellers Ltd and Active Refrigeration
Laminex
Spark New Zealand

Auckland Council Large Energy User Award
ANZCO
Nelson Pine Industries Ltd
Orora Beverage Cans

Opus International Consultants Public Sector Award
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Christchurch City Council
Kāpiti Coast District Council
Te Puni Kōkiri and Argosy Property Ltd
Trident High School

Trustpower Renewable Energy Award
Antarctica New Zealand
Hastings District Council & Pioneer Energy Ltd
Laminex

Smart Energy Solutions Small to Medium Energy User Award
Argosy Property Ltd and Te Puni Kōkiri
Bidvest New Zealand Ltd
Ceres Organics