Research and reports

Hydro Tasmania Consulting, Climate Managers and Baker & McKenzie have been
engaged by EECA to develop a Business-As-Usual (BAU) case for the take-up rates of
domestic and small-scale grid-integrated renewable energy (electricity) systems in New
Zealand to the year 2030. This report outlines the assumptions and influences affecting
the take-up-rate projections, and includes BAU projections.
Grid-connected domestic and distribution-scale renewable energy (electricity) systems

Investment in solar water heating systems for commercial applications is often constrained due to a shortage of investment capital. Yet commercial enterprises such as hotels, motels, restaurants, food processors and food take-away outlets may use large volumes of hot water that could make the economics of investment in solar water heating systems attractive if the capital cost could be modified to be an operating cost.

With the assistance of the Innovation Fund, Wellingtonian Stuart Dickson has developed an integrated unglazed solar water heating system that makes innovative use of thermal storage and a heat pump to provide space and water heating. The prototype system was designed and tested using his own house and garage as the testing site, so Stuart has had real-time feedback on how the system is operating.