A bad case of gas

With the repeal of the oil and gas exploration ban, we're basically investing in Nokia after the iPhone was released. Gas is inefficient, it's expensive, it's hard to find in New Zealand, and what we do have is running out faster than expected. So why are we investing in an increasingly obsolete technology?

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We still need some gas for industry (which is by far the biggest user) and electricity generation (in the short-term), but continuing to back gas ignores economics, emissions and the role that cheaper, cleaner renewable electricity - much of it from large scale and rooftop solar and more of it stored in batteries - is playing elsewhere.

Critics of the ban suggest that it has led to deindustrialisation, but more renewables in the system should help to bring the price of electricity down (and more solar can bring it right down in the middle of the day). We won't get that from gas.

As a recent story in Renew Economy said, "there are more than three dozen companies that have made inquiries about setting up major business in the state and connecting into the state grid, with the specific requirement to source zero emissions and low cost wind and solar. ElectraNet says the combined load of these 37 big industries amounts to astonishing 15 gigawatts, more than 10 times the current average load in the state, and five times the maximum demand. Far from killing industry, the state’s transition to renewables is sparking a rebirth."

South Australia now has one of the world's most renewable grids. New Zealand is right up there, too (although our overall energy system is not particularly renewable because around two thirds of our total energy still comes from fossil fuels), but high wholesale prices and volatility are hampering business, not attracting it.

Biogas isn't a saviour, either. Even if all sources of biogas in Auckland were activated, this would only meet 4% of the network's current demand. And hydrogen isn't ever going to be the sensible, safe, or affordable substitute.

When it comes to running our homes (and cars), electricity is the clear winner - unless you're keen to pay more to give your kids asthma, in which case gas is a great option.

In fact, it’s taking us back to 2017, as The Spinoff’s Robbie Nichol outlines in this nostagic sales pitch. 

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Double whammy

At the other end of the spectrum, there have been plenty of positive announcements on solar from this Government as well and one of them was an increase in voltage limits and an expectation that lines companies would increase the export limits for customers with solar and batteries. 

The EA has also ensured time of use charging and fairer prices for exports at peak, so the economic argument is even stronger. 

We believe these changes will lead to bigger systems and faster paybacks. And Think Solar's Dean Dunning has written a good piece explaining why Aurora’s decision to increase the export limit for 5kW to 10kW is not just a technical tweak and is instead a bold step forward that empowers homeowners to maximise their solar investments while easing pressure on our local grids.

“For years, we've heard from customers frustrated by the cap, especially in regions like Otago where winter sun is scarce and power demands can spike. This change feels like a long-overdue win, opening doors for bigger, more efficient systems.” 

Kudos to Aurora for doing the work to find out this was possible. And slap on the wrist to any of the other lines companies that are coming up with excuses not to increase the limits. This can be done, and it can be done quickly. 

And hopefully it will inspire more people like Nick to start running on the sun.

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Clean energy

JT Group’s Ray Tomlinson has been washing buildings since the 1980s and now runs a nationwide operation. Now it's aiming bigger, with plans to become “the first building wash company in the world to go full electric with all their machines”. 

It has developed an electric building cleaner that is already in use in New Zealand at places like Auckland Airport, Wellington Airport, and Sky Stadium, and the company is manufacturing it for the wider market. 

As he told The Post: 

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“We started with a vision to create a safer, more efficient way to clean buildings. Traditional methods posed risks, so we developed new technology - inspired by systems from the US - to eliminate those risks. Initially, a 240 volt cable hanging off the back of the machine was used to power the machine we developed, but then we decided to try battery power. Our engineers said they could do it, and they went off and developed the world’s first 100% electric robotic building wash machine.”

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He says around $3 million has been invested into the project, so if want a clean building via clean energy, put one of these machines on your Christmas list. 

Food for thought 

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More and more home cooks are embracing induction. It’s a slightly different kettle of fish for commercial kitchens, but momentum is growing. In EECA's latest case study, Stuart Marsden, head chef at East in Auckland's Sudima Hotel, says he was initially hesitant about the electric wok technology but eventually discovered that it reduced energy consumption, reduced clean up time and even enhanced the flavour of their dishes.

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In traditional Asian cooking, the flame doesn’t just cook food – it’s part of the performance. The idea of removing that visceral, high-heat contact seemed, at first, unthinkable. However, a series of blind tastings surprised the kitchen team. Dishes prepared using the induction wok were perceived as having deeper charred flavour than their gas-cooked counterparts. “We were genuinely surprised by the results – it wasn’t what we expected,” Marsden says.

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There is still one gas wok left to switch in the kitchen, but after the success of this project, he is also planning to upgrade the restaurant’s six and eight burner gas stoves. 

As Kanika Jhunjhnuwala, Chief Sustainability Officer at Sudima Hotels says: “As older assets reach end-of-life, we’re not patching them up. We’re replacing them with energy-efficient alternatives.” And that sums up the overall philosophy of Rewiring quite nicely.

UK celebrity chef Tom Shepherd is already cooking up some savings with induction in his restaurant kitchen, and he's also helping show others who have got off gas how to make the most of the technology.

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Motherf#$*ing wind farms

We love a bit of wind energy here. And so does Samuel L Jackson. But not everyone does. State-owned Swedish energy company Vattenfall has tried to counter the negatives with a few positives and developed a campaign that explains its wind farming philosophy - and it even made some delicious snacks from the seaweed that grows between the off-shore turbines. 

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The snacks aren’t for sale, unfortunately, but its WIN@sea project aims to do more within the same marine area by creating a "multi-use platform" where both electricity and food are produced. 

Speaking of celebrity endorsements, Jason Gunn has also announced that he is the proud owner of a new electric vehicle. Let’s hope it inspires a few more to follow suit. 

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Wheely handy

The shift to USB-C charging for all kinds of devices has made life easier for most. And Ampler Bikes claims to be the first in the world to employ it for e-bikes, which means they can be given a boost with laptop or phone charger.

“Because sometimes great innovations don’t mean adding more. They’re really about making things simpler.” 

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Might take a while to charge up that EV with a USB-C cord, but perhaps the equivalent for cars is to get rid of all the apps you need for fast charging and just allow people to do it with a credit card.

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