The New Zealand Clean Energy Centre (NZCEC), with funding from both government and industry, was established to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions.

Architectural plans have been completed for a facility which will cluster clean energy solution providers, and be a focal point for exhibits, demonstrations and clean energy-related events. The facility will open in late 2010 and will be strategically located at one of New Zealand's most highly visible and central intersections: The corner of the new State Highway 1 bypass to Taupo, and State Highway 5 (Taupo to Napier).

In addition, NZCEC's operations team has conducted research among industrial and institutional users of energy to identify barriers to change (for example, from fossil fuels such as gas or coal for heating, to clean, renewable solutions such as biomass).  Some of the barriers we have identified include:

• Lack of awareness of the technology solutions available
• Uncertainty around the availability, cost and security of fuel supply
• Lack of capital to fund the transition, or lack of desire to own and operate their own energy plant (not their core business)

To overcome these barriers, NZCEC has:

• Identified global best practice technology solutions and partnered with a leading NZ engineering firm to license and install these solutions to customer requirements
  
• Conducted a government funded study to ascertain the cost per gigajoule at which biomass can be supplied to potential users
• Identified and quantified biomass availability on a case by case basis
• Developed supplemental fuel supply strategies as required (for example, purpose grown, short rotation energy crops)
• Partnered with a company willing to "build, own and operate" the energy plants so that the customer has no capital outlay, and no diversion from their core business
  

Technology. Engineering services. Capital. Operations. Fuel supply. All neatly wrapped into a "packaged solution" and taken to market by NZCEC. Speaking of which, our market development services include:

• Market scoping, to assess market size, competitive landscape, niche market opportunities, partnership opportunities
• Business plan development
  
• Organization of events which provide an opportunity for solution providers to present to and interact with potential customers in a seminar or workshop setting
• One:one introductions to government, industry and prospective partners
• Database development
• Development of marketing & sales materials
• Implementation of marketing & sales programs

We are flexible in the way we work. In some cases we work on a fee for services basis. In some cases we elect to take on the role of NZ agent for particularly innovative solutions applicable to our needs. 

Interested? Contact Rob McEwen - rmcewen@nzcleanenergycentre.co.nz - and let's talk.