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Rather than relying on unproven technologies like carbon capture or unreliable offsets in the form of overseas trees, upgrading our small fossil fuel machines to electric equivalents and running them off renewable electricity is one of the best ways to reach our climate targets. We've been saying it for a while and the Climate Change Commission agrees, with an RNZ story saying "there are big opportunities in renewable energy and clean farming that could cut household bills, help businesses - and get the country back on track".
The Climate Change Commission released its update on how the country is tracking and, while emissions are trending down, there is a risk we will not meet our 2050 target. Jo Hendy, the commission's chief executive, said: "If we do this right we have a lot of opportunity for lowering energy costs to households, for example solar and wind are the lowest cost source of electricity right now, we have the opportunity to create new jobs in new clean industries and really protect our local businesses access to market."
Around 25% of New Zealand's gross emissions come from small fossil fuel machines. These are, as Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey says, the low-hanging cherries of emissions reduction and he has proven on Forest Lodge Orchard that going electric is not only good for the environment, it's also good business. More farmers are recognising that energy is one area they can reduce costs without compromising on anything.
New South Wales gets the memo about the importance of finance and announces scheme offering zero interest loans to households to upgrade to electric stuff; plug-in solar gets the tick of approval to go on sale in the UK soon and the New York Times says it could 'change America'; EVolocity takes electrification to the streets to gets the kids inspired (and eventually employed); a tour of the amazing recycling business Redwood Materials; Think Solar and BYD give it away now; and a skit that cuts close to the bone for many solar dads.
Read moreDownloadAdvances in technology and falling costs mean customer-owned solar and batteries can play a critical role in New Zealand’s energy infrastructure - improving affordability, resilience and sustainability. Multiple trading relationships (MTR) and peer-to-peer trading would enable this potential by increasing competition, customer choice, and innovation in the electricity market, unlocking greater consumer benefits from customer solar and batteries.
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