Energy
Data deluge - The environmental cost of going on-line
New research has revealed that a single Instagram post from Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo to his 240 million followers consumes as much energy as ten households. Audio
Otago facing Aurora big power bill hikes despite Commission cap
Otago residents may face a power bill increase of between $240 and $876 a year by 2026 in a draft decision on Aurora Energy's plans to hike prices to fix its failing network.
Govt announces $70m fund to make fossil fuel switch
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement on the fund today, which will allow businesses to access financial support to switch away from boilers run on coal and gas.
Energy expert says rail is a better bet than hydrogen fuel
The government should stop focusing on unproven hydrogen energy technology to tackle climate change, says an expert.
Coal Burner Ban could lead to rise in imported food – Growers
Crop, meat and dairy producers say any ban too soon on coal boilers could force New Zealand to increase its imports of food.
OMV planning 2022 in-fill drilling campaign at Maui
Austrian-based oil and gas company OMV says it is in the early stage of looking at tenders for a drilling campaign to extend the life of the Maui field offshore of Taranaki.
Green hydrogen projects: Plenty of chat but limited cash
Official enthusiasm for green hydrogen has not resulted in the investment and other supports necessary to make it a commercially viable fuel.
World first as all of South Australia's power comes from solar panels
South Australia's renewable energy boom has achieved a global milestone.
Offshore oil field supply company goes into liquidation
The owner of the floating oil and gas production vessel Umuroa - which has gone into voluntary liquidation - says it was necessary to stop it haemorrhaging money.
DC/AC - adapting the grid to renewables
Professor Neville Watson from the University of Canterbury's school of Electrical and Computer Engineering is leading the 'Architecture of the Future Low Carbon, Resilient, Electrical Power System'… Audio
Energy watchdog wins court battle for safety buffer zones
After a four-year fight an energy sector watchdog has won a precedent-setting battle which could see safety buffer zones imposed around hundreds of oil and gas wells and dozens of petrochemical…
Meridian ad ordered off TV over misleading environmental claims
A Meridian Energy TV ad featuring the trials of a Kiwi 'eco-hero' has been ordered off-air after it was found to make misleading environmental claims.
Rival power company Electric Kiwi complained to… Video, Audio
Dr. Katie Mack: How the universe is likely to end
How the universe will end remains a question that has not been definitively answered. Theoretical cosmologist Katie Mack researched and outlined five of the most likely ways it will come about in her… Audio
Firm fined $75k after customers paid for unnecessary heat pump repairs
A heat pump servicing company has been taken to task for a technician's dishonesty which saw customers paying for repairs that weren't needed.
Hot water cylinders fail to meet energy efficiency standards
Twelve types of hot water cylinders were tested for their energy efficiency and fifty percent of the models failed. Audio
Why those 100 percent renewable energy plans fall short
New Zealand's not far off achieving 100 percent renewable energy - but is that really our best bet for combating climate change? Audio
More electricity consumers looking to switch
Are electricity consumers waking up to the idea of shopping around for a better deal? Data from the Electricity Authority show 69,000 account holders switched energy companies from March through… Audio
NZ's largest floating solar array catching the sun in Auckland
It's just under one hectare in size, captures the sun to produce electricity and floats on water.
New Zealand's largest and only floating solar array has officially opened in Auckland's Northshore… Video, Audio
Rio Tinto threw aside power savings offer of more than $60m
The power company offered the owners of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter savings of close to a quarter of a billion dollars to keep operating for another four years.
Labour commits to Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter extension negotiations
Labour would negotiate to extend the life of the Tiwai Point Aluminium smelter by three to five years if elected, it says.
