Last year, because of the dry winter and its concomitant effect on hydroelectric energy generation, New Zealand burned its way through a significant portion of its coal reserves, resulting in the release of significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. At the household level, because of massive pressure on household winter energy consumption, winter energy bills shot through the roof, leaving families across the country out of pocket if they didn’t plan ahead and budget.
Tag: Energy
Articles covering NZ’s energy supply and retail sectors.
Pros and cons of ebikes for seniors
The other day while I stopping by at a local cafe a gentleman buttonholed me before I got on my bike and asked whether I thought the ebike I was riding would be suitable for a senior. He clarified that a lady he knew had recently suffered dementia and as a result had lost her license. She was 69 years old with no form of transportation.
Find out how many trees you save by switching to an ebike
This is a really simple calculator to show you how many trees you save from having to be planted each week, month, and year by switching to an ebike.
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Find out how many carbon emissions you save by switching to an ebike
Thoughts on Otaki and Levin fuel prices
Recently a BP pricing manager wrote an email recommending that BP raise its prices across the Kapiti-Horowhenua region in order to combat flagging sales and convince their competitors to follow suit. This is just across the road from my motel, so how can I desist from writing about it.
How ebikes improve accessibility for regional NZ
I live in Otaki – not quite regional enough to be regional, in my view, but certainly no less a town with a distinctive presence and a local culture. Traditionally Otaki has struggled with transportation issues, with many local town roamers unable to manage competing commitments of study and work so far outside of Wellington. In part, this has been remedied by more regular bus routes travelling through the town; but transport is still a major issue, and if it affects Otaki, it will no doubt affect regional areas of New Zealand.
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Why it’s a good idea now to start using inflation smart strategies
New Zealand is nearing full employment. The government has just announced a series of increases not only to the minimum wage, but to allowances and pensions as well. Fuel has jumped above $2 per litre for most parts of New Zealand, with a clear plan to increase the excise by 3c per litre per year. So why is now a good time, with all the money going around, to start to adopt some inflation-smart practices?
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Fuel savings calculator – how much do you save by using an ebike for all your incidental travel?
This is a calculator to figure out how much you can save from incidental travel – ie all the short distance travel you make during the week, such as to the supermarket, to the beach, to the movies and to town.
Ebikes versus electric cars – pros and cons
You’re thinking about buying an electric car and toting up all the various cost savings and lifestyle change pros and cons. But wait – before you make such a large financial commitment, have you stopped to consider whether a car is even necessary?
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Parking Savings Calculator: How much do you save in parking fees by riding to work on an ebike?
Here is a nice and simple calculator to help you figure out how much you will save in parking fees and fines by travelling to work and parking an ebike instead of a motorcar.