Business drive for energy tech plan
It’s always a risk for a business to be one of the first to adopt new technology. Time, money and reputation are at stake. That’s why a new, supportive funding round announced by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is to be welcomed this week.
EECA will provide financial help towards the cost of energy saving or renewable energy technology, that has yet to be widely taken up by businesses in New Zealand.’’ We are looking to support technology that is innovative, under-utilised or has not been applied in the New Zealand environment,’’ said EECA Project Manager, Dinesh Chand.’’ We also want to support pioneering projects that can be replicated by other companies, so that energy savings go beyond the innovator.’’
The EECA makes an important point, because if we hope to create real momentum in our business community around saving energy, then we cannot expect firms especially the smaller ones - to go out on a limb.In this new scheme - The Technology Demonstration programme - funding for both capital and for showing off new technology to others, can cover up to 40 per cent of project costs to a maximum of $100,000.To qualify, businesses must present their own cases for saving energy or reducing emissions, and then also show the same tech can be applied to other firms in the same sector. Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL) received funding in the previous funding round to install LED floodlighting.
It was the first New Zealand port to use LED and now it is setting itself up as a beacon for others to do the same.
‘‘We can’t wait to demonstrate the effectiveness of LED floodlighting at our port,’’ said Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson, who has set the goal of POAL becoming New Zealand’s most sustainable port. Businesses or organisations wanting to apply for funding to develop a demonstration project, can apply through a technology supplier registered with EECA, or use the application form available on the EECA business website at www.eecabusiness.govt.nz
It will make inroads into the $18bn spent by NZ businesses on energy - 20 per cent of which is estimated to be wasted.