Case studies

The Lazy Shag backpackers in Kaikoura has had a multi-oil clean burn boiler installed to supply the hostel's hot water, slashing the business's electricity bill.

The boiler is fired with used cooking oil purchased at low cost from other local businesses. The reduction of the backpacker's carbon footprint sits well with Kaikoura's, and the country's clean green image.

New technology is turning sludge from waste water into valuable bio-fuel with environmental and financial benefits for a Southland meat processing plant.

It's a bubbling fluidised bed boiler, well-proven overseas for its ability to handle low quality fuels. The 8.5MW unit was installed at Silver Fern Farms' Finegand plant by Energy For Industry under a build, own, operate agreement.

The University of Otago's Property Services division oversees the maintenance of campus buildings and grounds as well as new building construction. As the unit that keeps the University's campuses functioning year round, Property Services' energy use can be intensive. So when they were considering a heating upgrade, one of the key drivers was the ongoing cost of power. Renewable energy was the preferred option. But like any other organisation with limited budget, the final solution needed to make good business sense.

Wigram Lodge installed a wood-chip boiler - and in the process reduced energy costs and improved tenant comfort. Wigram Lodge is saving up to $52,000 and has reduced emissions by 146 tonnes per year.