Talk:Ecotricity (New Zealand)

Edits to the Ecotricity NZ page from an employee
Summary

Ecotricity is New Zealand’s only provider of 100% renewable and Toitū climate positive certified electricity sourced from wind, solar and hydro.

Ecotricity sources their electricity from the Tekapo A & B hydro dams and Tongariro (Rangipo & Tokaanu) power scheme, the Hau Nui, Mount  Stuart and Flat Hill Wind Farms and purchases substantial volumes of solar generation from its customers.

To meet the Toitū climate positive certification, Ecotricity measure the emissions associated with our full value chain, set science based reduction plans for the short and long term, and go beyond net carbonzero by compensating at 125%, as well as contributing to additional environmental and social projects.

Formerly 50% owned by Pioneer Energy from 2014, Ecotricity partnered with Genesis Energy in late 2019 to accelerate the deployment of NewRenewable projects. Ecotricity  currently supplies a number of homes, businesses, and industrial clients equivalent to 50,000 household equivalents.

Ecotricity provides climate positive certified renewable electricity.

Its mission is to provide solutions for commercial and residential customers to reduce emissions from other energy sources such as coal, gas, petrol, diesel  and geothermal.

Ecotricity are also committed to raising awareness of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with all thermal and fossil fuel sources.

Ecotricity is a member of the Sustainable Business Network and is committed to maintaining scope 1,2 and 3 emissions as close to zero as possible and continues to offset any emissions. Ecotricity are also active members for the Climate Leaders Coalition.

Ecotricity is the market leader in supporting solar energy by purchasing solar-generated electricity from over 60% of their customers who have their own solar generation. Ecotricity is the first company in the world to achieve climate positive product certification for electricity generated by solar panels on rooftops.

History

After living in the Netherlands for 2 years and following the wind farm  developments there, Al Yates returned to New Zealand in 2003 and founded Wind  Farm Group with the mission of developing wind farms in New Zealand. At the same time Al registered retail brand Airtricity to prepare for a retail  offering once the wind farms were developed. The Ecotricity Gentricity brands were added to the stable.

Ecotricity was founded in 2013 by Al Yates (CEO) and brother Mark Yates (Director). In 2014, Wind Farm Group (Airtricity) and Pioneer Energy (Central Lakes Trust) teamed up to establish Ecotricity      and provide the only carbonzero Certified renewable electricity to the market.

In late 2019 Ecotricity and Genesis Energy entered into a NewRenewable partnership accelerating the development of new wind, solar and storage projects.

The partnership included Genesis Energy’s purchase of Pioneer Energy’s share in Ecotricity, with Ecotricity founders Al and Mark Yates retaining their ownership.

Genesis Energy is 51% Government owned.

The  Ecotricity head office is in Auckland, New Zealand, and in 2022 is the fastest growing retailer.

In August 2022 Ecotricity decided to step it up and fully commit to the climate by gaining the Toitū climate positive certification, which was received in January 2023.

Carbonzero Electricity/ sustainability

Ecotricity is New Zealand's first and only provider of Toitū climate positive certified electricity and is also Toitū climate positive certified as an organisation.

Being Climate Positive certified means having a positive impact on the climate. They purchase from specific wind, hydro and solar generation sites and measure the emissions associated with the full value chain, set science based reduction plans for the short and long term, and go beyond net carbonzero by compensating at 125%, as well as contributing to additional environmental and social projects.

They have detailed programs in place which follow United Nations Product Protocols to measure and minimise their greenhouse gas emissions.

Any remaining emissions that cannot be avoided, such as the construction of wind and solar farms, are offset by purchasing verified carbon credits, including Native Bush and ESG projects, making Ecotricity not only carbon neutral but also supporting New Zealand’s and international biodiversity.

Toitū help accurately measure your greenhouse gas emissions, and put in place strategies to manage, reduce, and offset your impacts. Their tools are designed to support any organisation, service, or product. They facilitate offsetting your remaining emissions through verified carbon credits to enhance biodiversity and sequester carbon dioxide in New Zealand, achieving a neutral balance. You will be certified in accordance with ISO 14064-1 or PAS 2050, allowing you to make carbon neutral claims with confidence in any market. Compliance with the program is independently verified annually to maintain certification.

Ecotricity purchase their carbon credits from following projects; the Owenga Reserve in the Chatham Islands, the Orb Household project in India, Gyapa Cookstove Project in Ghana, as well as supporting the Million Meters Streams project in New Zealand. They are Living Wage Accredited and certified by COGO, and all employees have a responsibility to ensure they meet their carbon neutral commitments.

Ecotricity are committed to making New Zealand's electricity grid 100% renewable by actively promoting the development of solar farms, wind farms and residential solar to replace reliance on fossil fuels and bring down the cost of electricity.

Wind

Ecotricity’s electricity is supplied by net carbonzero certified wind generation. Ecotricity uses wind because it’s renewable, requires no fuel, and is cheaper than any other form of new energy generation. It is the fastest growing means of electricity generation in the world.

Wind generation captures the energy of the wind as it passes through the wind turbine blades. Each individual wind farm operates around 90% of the time, day and night. Each wind turbine can supply enough power for around 1,500 households or about 4,000 electric vehicles over a whole year.

Currently, wind generates around 5% of the total electricity in New Zealand. It’s recognised that in most countries, around 30-40% of total generation can be provided by wind. It is important that wind power is developed to support hydro generation as over time, there will be longer dry periods in various parts of New Zealand.

Hydro

Ecotricity is also supplied by net carbonzero certified hydro power generation. New Zealand has an abundance of hydro resources and can be viewed as one big battery as it has the ability to be ramped up or down depending on the net electricity demand of the country.

When the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, New Zealand can conserve water in hydro dams for use later, alternately when wind or solar output drops then hydro generation can be increased.

New Zealand’s first hydro dam was constructed in 1903 – over time many more have been built and they’ve served New Zealand well by supplying renewable and low emission generation.

Hydro generation currently supplies around 60% of New Zealand’s electricity demand and is one of the cheapest and most efficient forms of generation available.

Solar

Ecotricity partners with a number of solar installers around New Zealand.

Solar is fast becoming another option to complement consuming power off the traditional grid. Solar offers long term electricity price stability for the consumer and keeps traditional electricity suppliers honest.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Network

Ecotricity are supporters of disruptive technology like electric vehicles, programs that encourage consumers to modify their level and pattern of electricity use, and solar energy.

The adoption of electric vehicles in New Zealand is increasing at an exponential rate. Ecotricity powers ChargeNet Rapid Chargers and Tesla charging stations around New Zealand with climate positive certified electricity.

There are now over 300 public electric vehicle charging locations around New Zealand and over 600 charging ports.

Awards

Ecotricity won two NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards in 2016 and one in 2022. They were the Category Winners for Community Innovation and Mega Efficiency Innovation (2016) and Communicating for Impact (2022).

Community innovation - The Community Innovation Award, sponsored by Eco Pro Cleaning Co, recognises outstanding community innovations that have the potential to transform New Zealand.

Mega Efficiency Innovation - The Mega Efficiency Innovation Award, sponsored by Ricoh, rewards efficient innovations that are scalable and viable.

Communicating for Impact - This award, sponsored by Federation, recognises an organisation communicating sustainability effectively to make a tangible impact.

References:

https://charge.net.nz/

https://www.tesla.com/en_nz/supercharger

https://sustainable.org.nz/sustainable-business-awards/past-award-winners-and-finalists/winners-and-finalists-of-2016-nzi-sustainable-business-network-awards/

https://sustainable.org.nz/sustainable-business-awards/communicating-for-impact-award/

https://www.toitu.co.nz/what-we-offer/carbon-management#certification-programmes  https://carbonfootprintinternational.com/new-zealand/

https://ecotricity.co.nz/ Hayley Courtenay (talk) 22:25, 30 April 2023 (UTC)