Finalists

EECA is delighted to announce the finalists in the 2010 EECA Awards.

The finalists are listed (in alphabetical order) under the categories below:

Transport

Large Business

SME Business

Energy Management

Innovation

Renewable Energy

Public Sector

Community

Outstanding Contribution to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Greenstone Energy Transport Award

Explore NZ - Converting Explore NZ's fleet of marine vessels to biofuel

In 2009 Explore NZ partnered with Environ, a biofuel producer, to convert its fleet of 10 marine craft to run on a 20% biodiesel blend (B20). Over the past year the biodiesel blend has accounted for more than half of fuel used by the company. This has helped Explore NZ decrease its energy use per passenger by 11% and reduce its CO2e emissions by 157 tonnes.

Ministry of Transport - The Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) programme

The MoT's Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) programme trains bus, coach and truck drivers in efficient, economic and safe driving. Setting up the programme involved getting approval to use the original UK scheme, establishing an Industry Advisory Group, producing a curriculum and running a pilot to train driver instructors.

Otago Polytechnic Centre for Sustainable Practice - The Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium

Otago Polytechnic set up the Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium to promote the use of biodiesel in the region. To date, vehicles owned by 14 businesses in and around Queenstown are running on a 20% biodiesel blend (B20), and 50 local restaurants are providing used cooking oil as feedstock for biodiesel production.

Ruakuri Contracting - Mitigating Ruakuri Contracting Ltd's GHG emissions and impact on the environment

Earthmoving and transport company Ruakuri Contracting has had a commitment to reduce its environmental impact since 2005. As well as switching to biodiesel blends, it has upgraded equipment and trained staff to reduce fuel use and emissions. Over three years the company displaced 90,000 litres of mineral diesel with biodiesel, cut fuel use by 13% and cut CO2e emissions by 142 tonnes.

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WEL Networks Large Business Award

Downer - Energy efficiency strategy

For the past two years Downer has run a wide ranging sustainability programme with a focus on energy use. Following energy audits at 18 sites and a fuel efficiency trial (run in partnership with EECA and Energy NZ) the company set targets for 2008 - 2010 of a 5% reduction in energy and 15% reduction in fuel use. These have already been exceeded.

Fonterra Cooperative Group - Energy efficiency programme

Fonterra set a target in 2008 to improve energy intensity across its operations by 10%. Following a pilot phase, all 30 Fonterra sites are involved in the energy efficiency programme, with each having an ‘energy champion'. To date the group has achieved more than a 16% improvement in energy efficiency.

SKYCITY Auckland Ltd - Energy and environment strategy

SKYCITY's energy-saving drive is part of a company-wide environment and energy strategy. In the 2010 financial year, the total amount of energy use avoided was 10.08% compared to 2008. SKYCITY has used energy audits to help plan refurbishments, achieved major energy savings in all car parks, and installed a 1.5 kW wind turbine and a 60m2 solar water heating system.

Westpac - Our Tomorrow project

Westpac's ‘Our Tomorrow' project was launched in 2008, covering over 5,000 employees. The project consists of a sustainability plan with goals and targets, including cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2012. Energy use at all sites is monitored in line with an energy management plan. In the first two years energy use has reduced by 21% and CO2e emissions declined by 28%.

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Smart Power SME Business Award

Energy Options - New premises retrofit

In 2008 community-owned Energy Options set about renovating a Whakatane church as its business base. In line with its ethos of sustainability, it underwent an energy-efficient retrofit including double glazing, natural light and cooling, and solar water heating. The office performs very well compared to similar buildings' energy use - and is having a positive impact on staff wellbeing.

Lepper Trust - Pig power - covered pond biogas generation project

Taranaki pig farming operation the Lepper Trust has installed an effluent pond with membrane cover designed to capture biogas, which is used to help power the piggery. Results to date are promising with electricity use reducing from 1,021 kWh/day down to 661 kWh/day. When fully commissioned, the system should offset the purchase of electricity worth $22,000 a year.

McCallum's Group - Wood energy project

Commercial laundry McCallum's Group switched to wood energy in 2008 to supply its steam and hot water. The company now uses around 1,480 tonnes of dry hogged pine a year, at 36% of the cost of the LPG and light fuel oil it replaces. The whole project is expected to have a simple payback of two years and should offset the emission of around 1,450 tonnes of CO2e a year.

NZSki - Snowmaking efficiency improvements

When upgrading its old snow making system, Mt Hutt ski field focused on maximising efficiency and minimising running costs. Changes included a high altitude well/bore, new pump house controls, replacing old snow guns with high efficiency models and repairing compressed air leaks. Power usage of the tasks involved has reduced significantly, and start-up times have almost halved.

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0800 Save Energy - Energy Management Award

ASB Bank - The Save Watt programme

ASB Bank launched ‘The Save Watt' programme in June 2004. Since then, it has undertaken energy audits, implemented monitoring and targeting, and acted on energy-saving opportunities that came to light. This covers lighting, HVAC upgrades, computer systems and new building projects and refurbishments. Energy savings to date are worth over $1.5 million.

Department of Conservation (DoC) - Energy management programme

DoC made energy efficiency part of a key culture change, with a dedicated sustainability manager and ‘champions' throughout the organisation. Major projects include off-grid renewables on island reserves and equipment upgrades. Over two years electricity use reduced by 828.5 MWh, worth $207,000, and diesel use on islands decreased by more than 89,000 litres.

SKYCITY Auckland Ltd - Energy and environment strategy

SKYCITY's energy-saving drive is part of a company-wide environment and energy strategy. In the 2010 financial year, the total amount of energy use avoided was 10.08% compared to 2008. SKYCITY has used energy audits to help plan refurbishments, achieved major energy savings in all car parks, and installed a 1.5 kW wind turbine and a 60m2 solar water heating system.

Westpac - Our Tomorrow project

Westpac's ‘Our Tomorrow' project was launched in 2008, covering over 5,000 employees. The project consists of a sustainability plan with goals and targets, including cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2012. Energy use at all sites is monitored in line with an energy management plan. In the first two years energy use has reduced by 21%, and CO2e emissions declined by 28%.

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Eco Insulation Innovation Award

Christchurch City Council - Installation of a tri-generation renewable energy system

Working with Powell Fenwick Consultants, Christchurch City Council has installed a biogas-fired tri-generation plant at its new civic building. The system, which simultaneously supplies electricity, heat and refrigeration, is the first tri-generation plant installed in New Zealand and the first in the world to operate on biogas.

Downer NZ - Driver behaviour change trial

In 2009 Downer tested a driving behaviour change programme called SEED (Safe and Energy Efficient Driving), and assessed GPS systems and in-cab cameras. This brought immediate fuel use reductions of 60% in some cases. Implementing the trialled systems should see Downer's fuel use reduce by 15% per year, equating to a saving of over $3 million.

Findatruckload - Transport website - www.findatruckload.co.nz

Started in early 2009, Findatruckload is a web-based service that matches empty trucks with potential loads across the country. This reduces the distances travelled by empty trucks, the number of heavy vehicles on the road, cartage costs and carbon emissions. The website has over 200 companies registered. In only 15 months of operation, the energy saved has totalled 36 MWh.

New Zealand Pork - Waste to wealth - NZPork farm biogas generation

New Zealand Pork has spearheaded the investigation of on-farm biogas systems with research, workshops and feasibility studies. To date three covered pond systems have been installed in the North Island, and four more are planned. By 2020 the expected uptake is 20 farms. Whilst still awaiting projects' monitoring results, payback periods are expected to be under four years.

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ECOsystems Renewable Energy Award

Christchurch City Council - City-wide renewable energy utilisation system

Christchurch City Council, working with Beca, has developed an integrated energy system which includes the generation and use of biogas as well as biomass (wood) and biodiesel at numerous sites across the city. A number of these are New Zealand first installations of technology considered world best practice. Average payback period for the work undertaken is just 2.7 years.

New Zealand Pork - Waste to wealth - NZPork farm biogas generation

New Zealand Pork has spearheaded the investigation of on-farm biogas systems with research, workshops and feasibility studies. To date three covered pond systems have been installed in the North Island, and four more are planned. By 2020 the expected uptake is 20 farms. Whilst still awaiting projects' monitoring results, payback periods are expected to be under four years.

Otago Polytechnic Centre for Sustainable Practice - The Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium

Otago Polytechnic set up the Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium to promote the use of biodiesel in the region. To date, vehicles owned by 14 businesses in and around Queenstown are running on a 20% biodiesel blend (B20), and 50 local restaurants are providing used cooking oil as feedstock for biodiesel production.

Simply Energy - Renewable energy direct hedge structure

In 2008 Simply Energy started working with Clearwater Hydro to develop a sales model that allowed the small scale generator to sell directly to companies interested in using renewably-generated electricity. Charlies Trading Company was the first to take up the offer. The innovative generation-retail structure developed has since been replicated for six more end users.

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Equipment Energy Efficiency Programme Public Sector Award

Christchurch City Council - Christchurch Civic - sustainable energy building

Christchurch City Council partnered with Ngäi Tahu and Powell Fenwick Consultants to develop its new civic building - the first in New Zealand to combine a suite of energy efficiency measures with predominant use of renewable energy. The NZ Green Building Council awarded the design 6 Green Stars, including 21.9 points out of a possible 25 for energy use.

Ministry of Justice - Hamilton District Court - energy cost reduction project

The Ministry of Justice undertook a project to tackle high energy use and costs at the Hamilton District Courthouse, without interrupting day-to-day court work. A three-stage project focused on optimising heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and ensured equipment is used efficiently. In nine months, electricity use has halved and the cost savings have already repaid the investment.

Reserve Bank - Continuous commissioning/HVAC optimisation of building services at the Reserve Bank

In 2008 the Reserve Bank acted on an energy audit recommendation to optimise the energy performance of its Wellington HQ. The project used ‘continuous commissioning' to monitor and adjust the building's performance on an ongoing basis. The overall energy reduction was 22% in year one, more than repaying the investment. Annual savings are projected to double by 2012.

Watercare Services - Energy Focus programme

Watercare Services' ‘Energy Focus' programme continuously finds ways to manage energy use and increase the energy it generates itself from renewable sources. This includes hydo-generators at water storage dams, monitoring pumps for maximum efficiency and staff awareness training. Over six years energy savings have totalled 8,325 Mwh, worth around $1.8 million.

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Fujitsu General NZ Community Award

Community Energy Action - Warm Families: Keep Warm, Stay Healthy Canterbury

Christchurch-based CEA's ‘Warm Families' scheme focused on improving the warmth of homes that were contributing to occupants' health issues. Over 18 months 2,370 low-income homes were insulated, with some also getting heating and lined curtains. The scheme saved participants $2 million in energy costs; householders reported fewer days off work and fewer doctor visits.

Energy Efficiency Community Network - Home Energy Advice Centre Pilot

In 2008 and 2009 the EECN ran a pilot home energy advice centre in Auckland, the lower North Island and Canterbury, using 0800 phone calls, email, visits and community events. Comprehensive training was used to ensure high quality advice. The centres gave 3,118 consultations, with evaluation showing that on average clients took 4.81 actions following the contact.

Nelson City Council - Solar Saver Scheme

Nelson City Council developed a scheme to increase the uptake of solar water heating by allowing home owners to pay off the cost of their system over 10 years through rates. So far 136 households have committed to installing solar water heaters, equating to a reduction in emissions of 120 tonnes of CO2 e each year. The eventual target of the scheme is 1,700 households by June 2013.

Otago Polytechnic Centre for Sustainable Practice - The Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium

Otago Polytechnic set up the Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium to promote the use of biodiesel in the region. To date, vehicles owned by 14 businesses in and around Queenstown are running on a 20% biodiesel blend (B20), and 50 local restaurants are providing used cooking oil as feedstock for biodiesel production.

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Schneider Electric Outstanding Contribution to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Award

Professor George Baird

As Professor of Building Science at Victoria University, George Baird is recognised as one of New Zealand's leading researchers in sustainable and low energy building design. His contribution includes founding the School of Architecture's Energy Research Group and his publication of Sustainable Buildings in Practice, Routledge, 2010.

Leonid Itskovich

Under the innovative leadership of Energy Manager Leonid Itskovich, Christchurch City Council has improved its energy efficiency by around 40% and increased the share of local renewable energy in council operations to 50% in 2010. These measures and projects have resulted in an estimated reduction of $10m per annum in energy costs for ratepayers.

Michael Lawley

Michael Lawley is founder of EcoInnovation Ltd which promotes and markets a wide range of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and knowledge. He is also President of the Positive Futures Trust which supports public awareness of sustainability and awards grants to projects that could lead to New Zealand's energy self-sufficiency.

Professor Ralph Sims

Professor Ralph Sims is a world-renowned researcher and educator. He leads the Centre for Energy Research at Massey University where he has taught since 1974. He has served three terms on the EECA Board, four years at the International Energy Agency in Paris, and was NZ representative on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

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Winners of the EECA Awards will be announced on Thursday 25 November 2010 at an awards ceremony in Auckland.

More information