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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Clayton's market clueless
Opinion: Brian Fallow
Turn off a light, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson, and you may save someone else's job.
What sort of market is it when even with steeply higher wholesale prices the Government still feels the need to appeal to consumers' altruism or patriotism to get them to cut back consumption?
Opinion: Brian Fallow
Turn off a light, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson, and you may save someone else's job.
What sort of market is it when even with steeply higher wholesale prices the Government still feels the need to appeal to consumers' altruism or patriotism to get them to cut back consumption?
Strong possibility for coal power station
Southland's chances of becoming the site for a Solid Energy coal-fired power station still look good, despite a company announcement yesterday the West Coast was the most likely contender. Chief executive Don Elder said last night the company would launch a full feasibility study on the Buller station, which would be designed to feed electricity into the national grid.The station would be about 17km north-east of Westport.
Southland's chances of becoming the site for a Solid Energy coal-fired power station still look good, despite a company announcement yesterday the West Coast was the most likely contender. Chief executive Don Elder said last night the company would launch a full feasibility study on the Buller station, which would be designed to feed electricity into the national grid.The station would be about 17km north-east of Westport.
Reveal coal details, Genesis told
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson has asked Genesis Energy to come clean about whether it has enough coal to see it through the winter.
Many in the energy sector say the state-owned power company has been caught short by a cut in the amount of natural gas it can take from the diminishing Maui gasfield, leaving it without enough coal to fuel the Huntly power station this winter should southern hydro lakes again run low.
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson has asked Genesis Energy to come clean about whether it has enough coal to see it through the winter.
Many in the energy sector say the state-owned power company has been caught short by a cut in the amount of natural gas it can take from the diminishing Maui gasfield, leaving it without enough coal to fuel the Huntly power station this winter should southern hydro lakes again run low.
Let's say goodbye to black rivers and smokestacks
Jeanette Fitzsimons: The imminent rundown of Maui gas is a chance to reassess the direction of our energy policy.
As with every crisis decision point, we have choices: back to the 19th century with its smokestacks, black rivers, smog and sick miners, or forward to create a future based on renewable energy and more efficient use.
Jeanette Fitzsimons: The imminent rundown of Maui gas is a chance to reassess the direction of our energy policy.
As with every crisis decision point, we have choices: back to the 19th century with its smokestacks, black rivers, smog and sick miners, or forward to create a future based on renewable energy and more efficient use.
Power giant turns to Aussie coal
Genesis Energy is planning to import Australian coal this winter to overcome a shortage at its Huntly power station.
Solid Energy chief executive Don Elder said this coal was no longer kept ready for Genesis.
The company worked on a "just in time" basis, and it was not worth the cost of stripping earth from coal and keeping huge stockpiles.
Despite technology that makes modern coal-fired power stations much cleaner than those built in the past, New Zealand's Kyoto Protocol obligations to cut carbon dioxide emissions will be the biggest hurdle for Solid Energy.
Burning coal to make electricity creates much more carbon dioxide than using other fuels such as natural gas.
Genesis Energy is planning to import Australian coal this winter to overcome a shortage at its Huntly power station.
Solid Energy chief executive Don Elder said this coal was no longer kept ready for Genesis.
The company worked on a "just in time" basis, and it was not worth the cost of stripping earth from coal and keeping huge stockpiles.
Despite technology that makes modern coal-fired power stations much cleaner than those built in the past, New Zealand's Kyoto Protocol obligations to cut carbon dioxide emissions will be the biggest hurdle for Solid Energy.
Burning coal to make electricity creates much more carbon dioxide than using other fuels such as natural gas.
Hawkes Bay hydro plan
Meridian Energy and lines company Centralines are evaluating a 10MW hydroelectric power project near Otane in central Hawkes Bay.
Meridian Energy and lines company Centralines are evaluating a 10MW hydroelectric power project near Otane in central Hawkes Bay.
Our future climate - Climate problem still not solved -
This is a great paper from the Director of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Don't skip the diagrams.
This is a great paper from the Director of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Don't skip the diagrams.
Cullen picks up energy concerns
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen is heading a new Cabinet grouping dealing with looming energy, water and land transport issues. The group's formation follows - but is not only because of - two months of growing public and ministerial concern about energy supply, which reached fever pitch in business circles last week when an electricity price spike, caused by a drop in thermal production, drove some manufacturers to curb production.
There have been repeated unconfirmed reports of tension within the Cabinet over Energy Minister Pete Hodgson's handling of the mounting crisis.
Certainly, Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton and Cullen are concerned that doubts about energy supplies medium-term may be deterring investors.
Cullen acknowledged that the current short-term crisis, stemming from a long dry summer and consequently high thermal generation to preserve lake levels in case there is a dry winter, had crept up on Cabinet.
But he said there was also a growing worry about medium-term supply. He had concerns about the market's ability to send the right signals to ensure adequate future new generation capacity. .
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen is heading a new Cabinet grouping dealing with looming energy, water and land transport issues. The group's formation follows - but is not only because of - two months of growing public and ministerial concern about energy supply, which reached fever pitch in business circles last week when an electricity price spike, caused by a drop in thermal production, drove some manufacturers to curb production.
There have been repeated unconfirmed reports of tension within the Cabinet over Energy Minister Pete Hodgson's handling of the mounting crisis.
Certainly, Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton and Cullen are concerned that doubts about energy supplies medium-term may be deterring investors.
Cullen acknowledged that the current short-term crisis, stemming from a long dry summer and consequently high thermal generation to preserve lake levels in case there is a dry winter, had crept up on Cabinet.
But he said there was also a growing worry about medium-term supply. He had concerns about the market's ability to send the right signals to ensure adequate future new generation capacity. .
Outlook for 2080: Hot and windy
On World Climate Day, Mew Zealand's weather ambassador, Bob McDavitt has looked into his meteorological crystal ball to find out what sort of weather Kiwis will be experiencing in the year 2080: We live in changing times. Even our climate is changing. By 2080 the global temperature is set to rise two to six degrees and the sea level between 10cm and 90cm.
On World Climate Day, Mew Zealand's weather ambassador, Bob McDavitt has looked into his meteorological crystal ball to find out what sort of weather Kiwis will be experiencing in the year 2080: We live in changing times. Even our climate is changing. By 2080 the global temperature is set to rise two to six degrees and the sea level between 10cm and 90cm.
Coal could be king, given the chance
Another big test of the government's views on economic and environmental sustainability is shaping up. This time the challenger is coal and the driving force is one of its SOEs, Solid Energy.
New Zealand has huge reserves of some of the world's best coal, potentially a major source of export earnings. Coal is also a business in which New Zealanders are building some world-class technology and commercial skills.
But can the coal be extracted and used in ways consistent with New Zealand's clean, green aspirations? The mining industry says Oyes'. The government can't quite bring itself to say Ono'. But many of its policies are strongly tilted against coal even though coal could play a major role in solving our looming electricity shortage.
Another big test of the government's views on economic and environmental sustainability is shaping up. This time the challenger is coal and the driving force is one of its SOEs, Solid Energy.
New Zealand has huge reserves of some of the world's best coal, potentially a major source of export earnings. Coal is also a business in which New Zealanders are building some world-class technology and commercial skills.
But can the coal be extracted and used in ways consistent with New Zealand's clean, green aspirations? The mining industry says Oyes'. The government can't quite bring itself to say Ono'. But many of its policies are strongly tilted against coal even though coal could play a major role in solving our looming electricity shortage.
Energy Minister hints at winter of discontent
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson has raised fears of another dry winter and high power prices, saying a new power-savings push is on the way.
A meeting with power chief executives had agreed to plan and progressively implement an electricity savings campaign, he said, with action coming within a week.
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson has raised fears of another dry winter and high power prices, saying a new power-savings push is on the way.
A meeting with power chief executives had agreed to plan and progressively implement an electricity savings campaign, he said, with action coming within a week.
Russia set to sign Kyoto Protocol.
Labor's Environment Spokesman, Kelvin Thompson, says he has met the Russian Ambassador in Canberra to show Labor's support for Russian plans to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Mr Thompson says the Ambassador has told him the protocol will be signed at a conference on climate change in Moscow later this year.
Labor's Environment Spokesman, Kelvin Thompson, says he has met the Russian Ambassador in Canberra to show Labor's support for Russian plans to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Mr Thompson says the Ambassador has told him the protocol will be signed at a conference on climate change in Moscow later this year.
Plan for $1b hydro power station
Meridian Energy has called for proposals from constructors and designers interested in helping it build a billion-dollar hydro-electricity scheme in south Canterbury.
Meridian Energy has called for proposals from constructors and designers interested in helping it build a billion-dollar hydro-electricity scheme in south Canterbury.
Climate change: impacts and opportunities
Pete Hodgson: In December 2002 New Zealand ratified the Kyoto Protocol. We joined more than 100 countries, representing over two thirds of the world’s population, in seeking to reduce the rate of global warming.
But first let me congratulate the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association for your part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
About 6% of New Zealand’s methane emissions come from landfills. And since 1990 gross methane emissions from landfills have increased about 17%. But thanks largely to the efforts of Association members in diverting organic waste and capturing emissions, New Zealand’s net methane emissions from landfills have decreased since 1990 by close to 20%.
That is a useful achievement and a profitable one for the waste management business.
Pete Hodgson: In December 2002 New Zealand ratified the Kyoto Protocol. We joined more than 100 countries, representing over two thirds of the world’s population, in seeking to reduce the rate of global warming.
But first let me congratulate the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association for your part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
About 6% of New Zealand’s methane emissions come from landfills. And since 1990 gross methane emissions from landfills have increased about 17%. But thanks largely to the efforts of Association members in diverting organic waste and capturing emissions, New Zealand’s net methane emissions from landfills have decreased since 1990 by close to 20%.
That is a useful achievement and a profitable one for the waste management business.
Planning for power blackouts begins
Planning for potential blackouts has started as New Zealand faces the possibility of another dry winter like 2001, when the Government called for voluntary power rationing.
The national grid operator Transpower is co-ordinating a group of lines companies and big electricity users to work out procedures to deal with electricity shortages and emergencies hitting the national transmission grid.
The range of scenarios being prepared for covers blackouts of whole districts and suburbs, down to local loss of power to one or more houses.
Transpower is the driver of the "grid emergencies forum".
Planning for potential blackouts has started as New Zealand faces the possibility of another dry winter like 2001, when the Government called for voluntary power rationing.
The national grid operator Transpower is co-ordinating a group of lines companies and big electricity users to work out procedures to deal with electricity shortages and emergencies hitting the national transmission grid.
The range of scenarios being prepared for covers blackouts of whole districts and suburbs, down to local loss of power to one or more houses.
Transpower is the driver of the "grid emergencies forum".
NZ plays role in research to implement trade in Kyoto credits
New Zealand's Energy Federation is co-ordinating World Energy Council (WEC) research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Asia Pacific region.
The first study in the programme involved promoting foreign investment in the Tararua Windfarm Project in return for carbon credits. Future studies are likely to allow wealthy nations to earn "credits" for greenhouse gas reductions by helping poor countries with energy projects that reduce emissions.
New Zealand's Energy Federation is co-ordinating World Energy Council (WEC) research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Asia Pacific region.
The first study in the programme involved promoting foreign investment in the Tararua Windfarm Project in return for carbon credits. Future studies are likely to allow wealthy nations to earn "credits" for greenhouse gas reductions by helping poor countries with energy projects that reduce emissions.
The generation gap
Experts talk of a looming electricity crisis, the government calls it scaremongering. Who's right? John Noble asks are we in for an electric shock or is it just gas?
Experts talk of a looming electricity crisis, the government calls it scaremongering. Who's right? John Noble asks are we in for an electric shock or is it just gas?
Bleak future for wildlife as Polar ice melts
Much of the Earth's frozen north will have defrosted by the end of the century, according to the latest study of the effect of global warming on the Arctic.
Much of the Earth's frozen north will have defrosted by the end of the century, according to the latest study of the effect of global warming on the Arctic.
Scientist – Climate GIS Applications - NIWA
Job Opportunity
Scientist – Climate GIS Applications – Wellington
NIWA require an enthusiastic scientist with GIS skills to join our Wellington climate team.
Job Opportunity
Scientist – Climate GIS Applications – Wellington
NIWA require an enthusiastic scientist with GIS skills to join our Wellington climate team.
Govt supports two new wind farms with Kyoto credit
Govt supports two new wind farms with Kyoto credits
The Government has agreed to help the development of two proposed new wind farms by giving them credit for the clean energy they would produce.
By allocating climate change "carbon credits" to the proposed farms the Government will help ensure they are economically viable, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said today.
The projects are TrustPower's proposed 36 megawatt (MW) extension of its existing 32MW Tararua wind farm and a new 40-80MW wind farm proposed by Meridian. They would roughly triple New Zealand's current wind generation capacity of just under 40MW.
Govt supports two new wind farms with Kyoto credits
The Government has agreed to help the development of two proposed new wind farms by giving them credit for the clean energy they would produce.
By allocating climate change "carbon credits" to the proposed farms the Government will help ensure they are economically viable, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said today.
The projects are TrustPower's proposed 36 megawatt (MW) extension of its existing 32MW Tararua wind farm and a new 40-80MW wind farm proposed by Meridian. They would roughly triple New Zealand's current wind generation capacity of just under 40MW.
Murray Ward writes: "You may have heard that I have recently resigned from the Ministry for the Environment, where I was Manager of the Climate Change Group and Principal Advisor in the Climate Change Project in DPMC. I have set up a specialist climate change consultancy, “GtripleC”."Email
Russian stalling could kill Kyoto consensus
Moscow — Russia has delayed ratification of the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change, and two of its top scientists have begun to question the science underpinning it, developments that environmentalists say could kill the painstakingly crafted deal.
Moscow — Russia has delayed ratification of the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change, and two of its top scientists have begun to question the science underpinning it, developments that environmentalists say could kill the painstakingly crafted deal.
