On September 9th the 24th World Energy Congress kicked off in Abu Dhabi under the theme “energy for prosperity”. The congress entailed a four-day interactive programme where delegates attended plenary sessions, panel discussions, debates and workshops, centred around the critical issues currently faced by the energy industry.

New Zealand has slipped two places in this year’s Energy Trilemma Index, which rates countries on how they achieve a balance of security, sustainability, and equity in their energy systems. But, at 10th out of 128 countries, New Zealand remained the highest-ranked non-European nation.

In the energy system there are significant risks, but thanks to a comprehensive tool that ranks countries on their ability to provide sustainable, affordable and secure energy, we get a hint as to what actions are needed to mitigate any danger and to seize any opportunity they present.

In 2018, Transpower established a consumer advisory panel representing a diverse cross-section of New Zealand’s electricity consumers, as a forum for regular, long-term dialogue. The Panel provides advice and input to Transpower about consumers’ needs and perspectives, and engages in two-way dialogue on emerging sector issues. Transpower uses the panel’s advice and insights to better inform its business planning and decision making.

Sunshine Solar has worked closely with YHA New Zealand in recent years to help the accommodation provider achieve carboNZero certification. The partnership has already resulted in carbon reduction across four hostels of about 81 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, with more savings identified. Sunshine Solar has so far worked with YHA on projects at its hostels in Franz Josef, Auckland, Wellington, and Aoraki/Mt Cook, with more audits and system upgrades planned.

The country’s new energy research centre should focus on barriers to commercial development of technology, BusinessNZ Energy Council executive director John Carnegie says. Policy and regulation could restrict the viability of some emerging technologies and the centre should work to identify those impediments.