EECA business awards include EV adopters

Winners of the EECA Business Awards 2018 have been announced with electric vehicle projects included among the mix of recipients and finalists.

Innovation and leadership was the theme at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Business Awards on September 26.

Only the largest of New Zealand’s energy users were eligible to enter the awards with an outstanding selection of energy efficiency and low emission stories submitted by businesses, health and education providers and the public sector, EECA chief executive Andrew Caseley says.

“There are no losers here. Least of all our environment and economy,” he says.

“Every entry to the EECA Business Awards demonstrates the effort New Zealand companies are making in their daily work to bring a low-emissions future closer to becoming a reality for the country.”

The University of Waikato’s Engineering Energy Research Centre judged the awards.

“An eclectic mix of energy efficient, low-emission stories have contributed to the stellar line up in this year’s EECA Business Awards,” says Dr Martin Atkins from the University Waikato. “Important environmental decisions sitting alongside financial ones improves a business’ durability, and it was this that we wanted to reward through the awards.”

Roseline Klein of Watercare Services won the Energy & Emissions Leadership Award.

She led a staff engagement and empowerment strategy introducing technologies such as EVs to help its wastewater treatment plants become energy neutral by 2025.

Watercare has introduced five Hyundai Ioniqs to its pool fleet and expects eight more EVs by the end of 2018. It also has four overnight chargers and one DC fast charger with plans to install more.

The company featured in EVtalk’s

June magazine as one of New Zealand’s firms committing to electrify at least 30% of its fleet by 2019.

EV advocate and Christchurch City Council resource efficiency manager Kevin Crutchley was among the three finalists for the leadership award. He is assisting with electrification of the council’s fleet and was instrumental in setting up the Yoogo Share service involving 100 EVs in the city.

The Christchurch City Council was itself among four finalists for the Public Sector Award and commended for its resource efficiency and greenhouse gas emission programme which includes battery electric vehicles.

The award was won by Victoria University of Wellington for its comprehensive energy management programme, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2800 tonnes a year.

Red Stag Timber in Rotorua won the Large Energy User of the Year Award for using wood waste as a renewable fuel to generate all its electricity.

The Innovation Award went to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa for converting methane into electricity.

The Energy & Emissions Reduction Project Award was won by the Goodman Property Trust which saved tenants in seven commercial properties more than $1.1 million in operating costs and avoided 775 tonnes of carbon emissions through energy efficiency measures.