Renewable Energy Generation
Finding ways to produce new clean energy or reduce the environmental impacts of existing energy use is central to the Energise Ōtaki vision.
A primary focus is on initiatives which help people install clean energy systems in their home, business or community space. The second focus is on working with Ōtaki clean technology businesses on new clean energy generation initiatives in partnership with the community.
A major catalyst for change will be when energy produced locally can be stored and distributed across the local network. This requires significant change at the macro-level and changing business models for how the local network is managed. A key to this will be the development of an on-going and positive relationship with Electra, the local network provider and retailer.
In the meantime, the focus is on developing initiatives which can be used to provide clean energy directly to users, and having revenue from these intiatives feed into our Community Investment Fund.
Current and Completed Projects
Solar Farm and Community Investment Fund
Energise Ōtaki has, with a generous funding of $407,000 from the Wellington Community Trust, set up two solar systems to generate power to go straight to users within the community.Learn more
Ōtaki College: Wood Gasification for Heating
Ōtaki College and Energise Ōtaki are exploring the possibility of wood pellet gasification to feed its existing school boiler used for heating.Learn more
Food and Energy: Harnessing Food & Organic Waste
At least 11 tonnes of food is wasted in Ōtaki town every week. This presents an opportunity to use organic waste to produce energy.Learn more
Ōtaki College PV Solar Array for Scholarships
Energise Ōtaki developed a project in partnership with the XŌtaki College Foundation Trust to install a 20kWp solar array at Ōtaki College. The system is owned by the XŌtaki, provides power, and the revenue funds student scholarships.Learn more
Ōtaki College Pool Thermal Solar Array
Energise Ōtaki facilitated the redeployment of some of the thermal solar panels previously used at the Ōtaki Swimming Pool to the Ōtaki College swimming pool. The project was taken up by the XŌtaki College Foundation Trust as part of a wider refurbishment of the pool.Learn more
Ōtaki Service Centre Solar Array
Early on in the Energise Ōtaki initiative, KCDC and Electra, installed a 2.0kWp solar PV system on the Ōtaki Library and Memorial Hall to demonstrate this technology. The installation produces around 2,600kWh of electricity per year.Learn more
Ōtaki Swimming Pool Thermal Solar Array
Otaki swimming pool has the largest solar array in New Zealand. As at May 2014 it has recorded 205,000 kWh of energy production. The panels are now redeployed in other projects.Learn more
Clean Tech Tower/Innovation Hub Building
This building, funded and leased through KCDC, has many environmentally sustainable technologies and materials incorporated in its design including a wind turbine and solar panels. You can view its live electricity data here.Learn more