Improved energy use in the re-build of Canterbury’s manufacturing capability was the theme of an EECA Business industrial energy seminar held in Christchurch.
Around 50 business people attended and EECA Business programme manager Pramesh Maharaj says he was encouraged by the level of attendance.
“It was great to see so much interest in energy efficiency as the re-build is a great opportunity for putting energy efficiency measures in place,” he says.
“From heating and cooling systems to implementing energy management plans across a number of sites, there are so many opportunities for Canterbury industrial energy users to improve energy use.”
Business commentator Rod Oram set the scene by explaining how a focus on energy efficiency could lead to higher levels of business innovation.  
“Attendees particularly appreciated Rod Oram’s global perspective on energy use in the world economy and examples from New Zealand companies which had improved energy and business performance,” says Pramesh Maharaj.
Mathew Golding of Air New Zealand and energy efficiency consultant Kees Brinkman of Enercon’s presentation outlined the advantages of a corporate commitment to energy management.
Air New Zealand’s energy management programme involved improved electricity measurement, the installation of smart meters and software to identify the parts of the business using the most energy, across its Auckland and Christchurch operations.
After identifying that technical operations in Auckland and Christchurch were the biggest users of electricity, senior management appointed Mathew Golding as energy champion for Christchurch.
Audits to identify the biggest opportunities were completed and, several energy efficiency projects including a recently finished hangar workshop upgrade were undertaken.
Installing heat pumps greatly increased the efficiency of the hangar heating system, and resulted in annual energy savings of 1,195,000 kW/h.
David Fletcher of meat processor and exporter ANZCO Foods and Jonathan Pooch of DETA Consulting also highlighted the importance of supporting energy efficiency projects with the right level of human resource.
ANZCO’s multi-site energy management programme is targeting annual energy savings worth $2.5 million.

Progress to date has been impressive with boiler tuning at its CMP Canterbury plant and reduced hot water flow to the cookers at its Green Island plant in Dunedin, generating combined annual savings worth $380,000, from investment of $30,000.

Active Refrigeration’s Craig Duff gave a presentation on Canterbury-based Smallgoods producer Verkerks recently commissioned 500 kW ammonia heat pump refrigeration plant heat recovery system.  
The recently installed system has reduced energy costs by 27 per cent, while providing enough hot water to satisfy the requirements of its meat processing plant.    
Pramesh Maharaj says it was great to have so many leading firms willing to share their experiences with others interested in taking advantage of all that energy efficiency has to offer business.
“From my perspective there is significant value in businesses finding out what others have experienced, what worked and what didn’t, so they can get an idea of what approach will suit them best,” he says.
“From efficient lighting, to boiler tuning and heat recovery and getting staff on board you might be surprised at how many ways to save energy and reduce costs.”