The business won the Innovation award for developing and building a 12MW renewable energy heat plant, believed to be the only operation of its type in New Zealand, for Winstone Pulp International’s Karioi site.
Fuelled by bark, wood wastes and pulp sludge, which was previously landfilled, this heat plant uses a unique blend of renewable fuels to deliver major financial, energy security, environmental and process efficiencies for WPI.
The business also won the Energy Supplier award for its ground-breaking work to build a cogeneration plant at Auckland City Hospital.
This is the only project of its type to be commissioned in New Zealand in recent times under the current electricity model.
As well as marking the first time in New Zealand that diesel generators have been used with gas engines to provide standby power, Energy for Industry had to negotiate a specialised commercial approach with various stakeholders to bring this project to fruition.
Energy for Industry general manager, Mike Suggate, says the two awards reflect the company’s creative and sophisticated approach to solving often complex and challenging energy issues for clients.
“We take a very strategic and partnership-oriented approach to working with clients. We focus on generating long-term business value and reducing risk, but we always tailor our solutions to be acceptable to the business culture of the clients with whom we work.”
Energy for Industry is a business of Meridian Energy. The company provides end-use energy and utility products and services for large industrial and institutional users which have substantial demand for heat and other energy-related services.