New Zealand: Energy
NZ great test-bed for plug-and-play energy system
12 Oct 2015
A new energy system which figures out the smartest way to use and store solar energy is being trialled in New Zealand.
Scientists push boundaries to find alternative energy
12 Oct 2015
From algae to alloys, ingenuity in the world’s laboratories is fuelling experiments to find new ways of providing viable sources of clean energy.
Global megatrends driving our energy changes
5 Oct 2015
New Zealand’s energy sector is being transformed from a top-down centralised system to one that is much more interactive, yet also decentralised and fragmented, a new report says.
Safer battery could spark investment in renewables
5 Oct 2015
Researchers have developed a battery that uses a common food additive to enable abundant solar and wind power to be stored cheaply and safely in homes and offices.
Solar capacity to grow more than fourfold
5 Oct 2015
Global concentrated solar power capacity will increase more than fourfold by 2020, a new report shows.
Elephant grass could offer viable alternative to coal
5 Oct 2015
By adapting a tropical grass to grow in the British climate, scientists hope to be able to replace coal in power stations with biofuel.
OECD urges end to policies which support fossil fuels
28 Sep 2015
The world should abandon fossil fuel support policies which belong in a past when healthy economies depended on pollution, say wealthiest nations.
Investors opt out of fossil fuels as climate talks near
28 Sep 2015
As momentum builds for a new deal on climate change, investors are becoming increasingly nervous about having their cash in fossil fuels.
Asia-Pacific heads for solar powerhouse status
28 Sep 2015
The Asia-Pacific region will overtake Europe to become the largest contributor to global solar photovoltaic installed capacity, says a new report.
Member's bill demands end to fossil fuels investment
21 Sep 2015
A bill requiring public funds like ACC and Superannuation to stop investing in the exploration for and mining and production of fossil fuels has been drawn from the Parliamentary Members’ ballot.
We're a nation of wastrels, says OECD report
21 Sep 2015
New Zealanders consume a lot and waste energy, according to a new analysis of OECD countries’ performance on the Millennium Development Goals.
Report shows up double-standards of G20 countries
21 Sep 2015
Many G20 countries are spending billions of dollars subsidising the fossil fuel industry while at the same time making commitments to tackle climate change, says a new study.
Renewable energy flexes its muscles
21 Sep 2015
New Zealand’s emissions from electricity generation fell in the June quarter, as renewables take an increasing share of the load.
India in disarray over strategy on global warming
21 Sep 2015
Researchers in India say its action on climate change is suffering because, unlike China, it has not developed the institutions needed to co-ordinate policy.
Does bioenergy have a green energy future in the US?
21 Sep 2015
Bio-derived sources of energy – wood, grass, dung and alcohol – have a rich history, yet have failed to command the “buzz” of solar, wind or even geothermal in public discussions regarding renewable energy.
World’s first solar-powered airport takes off
14 Sep 2015
The international airport at Cochin in southern India has blazed a pioneering trail by becoming the first to run all its ground operations on solar power.
Efficiency drive can cut a quarter off energy demand
14 Sep 2015
New research shows that saving the planet from global warming by combining renewables and energy efficiency will also save money and create jobs.
Coal town's vote makes rumbles at the port
7 Sep 2015
While an Australian council decision might not trigger divestment from fossil fuels, it is a chance for the world's biggest coal port to consider its future direction.
Stranded-assets threat making mark on business
31 Aug 2015
The risk of being left with stranded assets is focusing business attention on climate change, says the organiser of an up-coming business conference in Auckland.
Shell swims against oil price tide
31 Aug 2015
As the giant Shell oil company begins highly controversial exploration drilling in the Arctic, the price of crude continues to slide.
Solar power takes giant strides as prices fall
31 Aug 2015
Massive solar power stations are being built in the world’s “sun belts” − with the US and India competing to have the largest in the world.
We can turn CO2 in the air into new materials
31 Aug 2015
What if there were a way to suck carbon dioxide right out of the air and turn it into useful products? It might seem fantastic but scientists have actually proved it’s possible.
Support for new energy vital for growth
31 Aug 2015
Renewable energy support schemes such as feed-in tariffs, quota obligations, capital grants, and subsidies, will continue to be instrumental in promoting Europe’s renewable energy industry growth by 2020, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.
China’s carbon count is not as high as feared
24 Aug 2015
The use of poor-quality coal in Chinese power plants means that the carbon dioxide emissions of the world’s biggest polluter are 10% less than previously thought.
Renewables raise challenge to coal in power league
24 Aug 2015
Wind, solar and other renewable sources of clean energy are now second only to coal in generating the world’s electricity.
Time to tap an underused energy source: wasted heat
24 Aug 2015
Millions of people worldwide can’t afford to keep their homes warm, but few realise the heat wasted in our energy system could provide the answer.
Contact to close gas-fired Auckland plant
17 Aug 2015
The 400MW Otahuhu B gas-fired power station will close from the end of next month.
Clouds gather over China’s solar power industry
17 Aug 2015
The recent turmoil in China’s stock market has sent shockwaves through the country’s corporate sector, including its mighty solar power industry which in recent years has grown to dominate the world market.
Wind and solar surge sends EU emissions tumbling
17 Aug 2015
Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling fast, mainly because of the rapid spread of the wind turbines and solar panels that are replacing fossil fuels for electricity generation.
Clean Power Plan will have a real impact
17 Aug 2015
The United States Government’s recently announced Clean Power Plan will have a negative impact on the country’s coal industry, with the potential loss of up to 60 Gigawatts of coal power capacity by 2020, according to an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData.
India lets loose the reins of its energy horses
17 Aug 2015
India’s “seven horses of energy” electricity sector transformation is gathering pace, with far-reaching ramifications for renewable energy development and the structural decline of seaborne thermal coal, says a new report.
Why coal commitment will cost Fonterra dearly
10 Aug 2015
Fonterra’s determination to keep using coal is exposing it to future high carbon costs, an international energy expert is warning.
Revolutionary fence is set to trap the sea’s power
10 Aug 2015
A British company has announced plans for an array of unique marine turbines that can operate in shallower and slower-moving water than current designs.
Chinese ride to the rescue of Europe’s nuclear industry
10 Aug 2015
The Chinese are planning to come to the rescue of a European nuclear industry so short of money that it cannot build any new stations without outside help.
Why Tiwai stands between us and 100% renewable energy
3 Aug 2015
New Zealand could have 100 per cent renewable electricity generation within a decade if the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter closed.
Caygill sets out on new energy mission
3 Aug 2015
Former Finance Minister David Caygill is to chair the BusinessNZ Energy Council – a group of energy companies whose mission is to secure a sustainable energy future for New Zealand.
Fossil fuel industry still winning the investment war
3 Aug 2015
The campaign to convince investors not to use their money to support the extraction and use of fossil fuels is failing to gain enough converts, experts say.
Good practice makes perfect sense for emissions cuts
3 Aug 2015
European researchers investigating ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the internationally agreed safety level have arrived at the good news that we can just about achieve it – provided all nations show the political will to do so.
Why cities are a rare good news story in climate change
27 Jul 2015
The visit last week of 65 mayors to the Vatican to discuss climate change, among other things, reflects the central role of cities in debates that for too long took place only at the global and national level.
Norway pumps up 'green battery' plan for Europe
27 Jul 2015
Norway is hoping to become the “green battery of Europe” by using its hydropower plants to provide instant extra electricity if production from wind and solar power sources in other countries fade.
Big money in reforming fossil fuel subsidies
27 Jul 2015
Reforming fossil fuel subsidies could release enough money to finance universal access to water, sanitation, and electricity in many countries, as well as helping to cut global greenhouse-gas emissions, new research in Nature Climate Change suggests.
Recession cut US emissions, not falling coal use
27 Jul 2015
Between 2007 and 2013 emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels burnt in the US fell significantly − by about 11% − and many analysts credited this to ac hange from coal to natural gas in electricity production.
Japan signs up for geothermal classes
20 Jul 2015
New Zealand and Japan will work together on geothermal energy research.
EPA Clean Power Plan reenergises US climate policy debate
20 Jul 2015
For the first time this United States summer, the nation’s fleet of existing power plants will face limits on carbon dioxide emissions.
Don't ignore us, bioenergy lobby tells Government
13 Jul 2015
The Government is ignoring the potential for emissions reduction from renewable heat energy, the Bioenergy Association says.
Fossil fuel firms fail to report climate risks
13 Jul 2015
Fossil fuel companies operating in the UK are accused by a financial monitoring group of a “staggering” disregard for their obligation to acknowledge the risks which climate change poses to them and their investors.
Science breaks new ground in converting coal ash from pollutant to useful products
13 Jul 2015
South Africa has large coal reserves. It mainly burns coal to produce electricity at 13 existing coal-burning power plants, situated mainly in Mpumalanga, a province in the country’s east.
Tesla batteries might power your home but stored fuels will still run the country
6 Jul 2015
Although Tesla’s Powerwall battery storage is likely to be a disruptive force for electrical energy systems around the world, it is not going to supplant the major forms of electrical energy storage anytime soon, and is ill-suited to storing energy over longer timeframes such as between seasons.
It looks like carbon capture is going down down the tubes
6 Jul 2015
One of the much-heralded solutions to climate change which its supporters believe could enable the world to continue to burn fossil fuels looks likely to be a failure.
Indian developer might junk giant Australian coal project
29 Jun 2015
India’s Adani Group is likely to withdraw from the $16 billion Australian coal mining project, touted as the world's largest, due to concerns over softening international coal prices, relentless attacks by environmentalists and delay in regulatory clearances.
Cuts to climate finance put exports in jeopardy: Lawyers
23 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has halved international climate finance, a move aid organisations describe as “devastating,” and which lawyers say could put our Paris Agreement commitments and export market access at risk.
Controversy around NZ’s methane target hits international press
Tue 3 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand’s approach to methane targets has hit international media, with climate scientists from multiple countries penning an open letter warning Prime Minister Christopher Luxon not to weaken methane targets.
Tech alone won’t save us, warns climate expert
Wed 4 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Technology alone won't be enough to reach net zero emissions, environmental psychologist Lorraine Whitmarsh told the Carbon and Energy Professionals conference in Auckland last week.
“It’s not the car – it’s how we move” – EECA
Tue 3 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams| New Zealand’s transport emissions conversation has focused heavily on electric vehicles – but Richard Briggs, group manager, delivery and partnerships at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, says we’re asking the wrong question.
Fed Farmers launches campaign against carbon forestry
Fri 6 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Federated Farmers has launched what they are calling the ‘Save Our Sheep’ campaign, blaming carbon forestry for declining sheep numbers and calling on the government to urgently review the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Kiwi cleantech companies on the world stage
27 May 2025
Six New Zealand 'cleantech' companies were in Singapore earlier this month, along with a venture capital firm and the MacDiarmid Institute, to meet investors and multinational partners.
