by Chris Hargreaves | Oct 25, 2025 | Case Studies, Energy, Solar Power
Client Overview
Inghams Enterprises is one of New Zealand’s leading poultry producers, operating multiple facilities nationwide. With a strong focus on cost efficiency and sustainability, Inghams aimed to reduce energy costs and improve environmental performance of its energy contracts.
Challenge
Inghams faced rising electricity costs and needed to explore long-term procurement options. The challenge was to identify a solution that balanced:
- Cost certainty
- Sustainability outcomes
- Operational feasibility
Options considered included traditional electricity supply, on-site solar, and market-based renewable energy solutions.
Our Approach
- Detailed financial modelling and market analysis of current and future electricity pricing
- Evaluation of multiple procurement pathways: traditional supply, behind-the-meter solar, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
- Feasibility assessment of a solar farm at the Waitoa site
- Facilitation of direct engagement with Lodestone Energy to structure a tailored long-term supply agreement
PPA Specifics
- Type: Offsite PPA with Lodestone Energy
- Procurement Method: Direct negotiation following market analysis
- Contract Structure: Long-term fixed pricing agreement
- Term Length: Multi-year, designed to deliver price certainty and sustainability benefits
Alternate Solutions Explored
- Behind-the-meter solar farm feasibility study for the Waitoa site
- 25-year financial projection modelling revenue, savings, and risk exposure
Outcome Delivered
- Secured a long-term supply agreement with Lodestone Energy
- Achieved approximately 25% savings compared to traditional market rates
- Enhanced sustainability profile by supporting new renewable generation
- Delivered cost certainty and reduced exposure to market volatility
Lessons Learned & Innovations
- Combining market analysis with feasibility modelling enables informed decision-making
- Early engagement with renewable developers unlocks competitive pricing and tailored solutions
- Long-term PPAs can deliver both financial and environmental benefits when aligned with operational goals
How Total Utilities Can Help Your Business
Whether you’re looking to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability, or secure long-term price certainty, Total Utilities can help. We offer:
👉 Contact us today to explore how we can help your business secure competitive energy contracts and future-proof your energy strategy.
by Chris Hargreaves | Oct 23, 2025 | Case Studies, Panoramic Power
Client Background
A New Zealand local council committed to the sustainable utilisation of natural resources launched an initiative to better understand and manage water usage for irrigation across its recreational parks.
The Challenge
The council faced a significant challenge in monitoring water consumption from boreholes used for park irrigation. Traditional analog water meters required manual readings, which were time-consuming, costly, and lacked real-time visibility. This limited the ability to proactively manage water schedules and detect anomalies in water flow.
Innovative Solution by Total Utilities
Total Utilities (TU) identified a borehole at Scott Street in Hobsonville Point, West Auckland, as an ideal site to pilot its Panoramic Power solution. The goal was to transform the existing analog water meter into a smart, connected device.
What made this solution unique:
- The existing water meter was equipped with a KY pulse output, which TU leveraged to connect its Gateway/Bridge unit.
- This integration enabled real-time data capture and visualisation on TU’s PowerRadar dashboard, displaying:
- Volume (m³)
- Flow rate (m³/h)
Implementation
The installation was carried out by TU’s internal team and took just 2 hours to complete and commission. This rapid deployment demonstrated the simplicity and efficiency of the Panoramic Power solution.
Results
- The council gained remote, real-time visibility into water usage.
- The need for manual meter readings was eliminated, saving both time and operational costs.
- The system provided automated alerts for anomalies, such as:
- Unexpected water flow outside scheduled pumping times.
- Sudden stoppages indicating potential faults.
Impact
With accurate and timely data now at their fingertips, the council can:
- Optimise irrigation schedules based on actual usage.
- Respond quickly to issues, reducing water waste and improving resource management.
- Enhance sustainability efforts by making data-driven decisions.
How Total Utilities Can Help Your Business
Our expert team can help you unlock significant energy savings with a short-term return on investment (ROI). Typically, we can identify up to 25% savings with an ROI of less than 2 years.
We achieve this by conducting a comprehensive site-wide energy audit (Type 1), examining everything from lighting and HVAC systems to chillers, boilers, refrigeration and other energy-intensive systems. Additionally, we install Panoramic Power our non-intrusive energy intelligence system, providing real-time device-level energy data visibility. For more information check out a brief overview of our service here.
Ready to start saving? Contact us today to schedule your energy audit and begin your journey towards greater efficiency and cost savings!
by Pravind Singh | Oct 20, 2025 | Case Studies, Waste
Client Overview
A leading retirement village and aged care provider operating across multiple sites in New Zealand faced rising waste management costs and operational inefficiencies. With a strong commitment to sustainability and resident wellbeing, the organisation engaged Total Utilities to conduct a comprehensive review of their waste and recycling services.
Challenges Identified
- Bin configurations were inconsistent and often not fit for purpose.
- On-site equipment lacked compliance with Health and Safety regulations, posing risks to staff and residents.
- Recycling signage was unclear or absent, leading to low waste diversion rates.
- Rates across sites varied significantly and were not market competitive.
- Collection methodologies were outdated, inconvenient, and not optimised for site layouts.
- Multiple supplier contracts resulted in fragmented service and limited visibility.
- Supplier account management was reactive, with poor reporting and lack of proactive engagement.
Total Utilities’ Approach
Total Utilities initiated a Waste Services RFP process, focusing on:
- Site-Specific Bin Review: Evaluated bin types, sizes, and placement to ensure they were fit for purpose and aligned with actual waste generation patterns.
- Health & Safety Compliance Audit: Assessed all equipment for regulatory compliance, recommending upgrades where necessary to ensure safe handling and accessibility.
- Recycling Engagement Strategy: Introduced clear, consistent signage across all sites to encourage recycling and improve waste diversion rates.
- Market Rate Benchmarking: Compared current rates with market standards, identifying significant opportunities for cost reduction.
- Optimised Collection Methodology: Proposed changes to collection schedules and access points, improving operational efficiency and ease of use for staff.
- Contract Consolidation: Streamlined multiple supplier agreements into a single, integrated contract, reducing administrative burden and improving service consistency.
- Enhanced Supplier Accountability: Implemented structured account management with regular reporting, performance reviews, and proactive issue resolution.
Results Achieved
- 35% reduction in annual waste and recycling costs
- Improved recycling rates through better signage and education
- Enhanced safety and compliance across all sites
- Simplified contract management and improved supplier performance
- Greater visibility and control over waste operations
Conclusion
By taking a holistic and data-driven approach, Total Utilities delivered substantial financial and operational benefits for the aged care provider. The project not only reduced costs but also supported the client’s sustainability goals and improved the living environment for residents.
How Total Utilities Can Help Your Business
Since 2024, the team at Total Utilities successfully managed $24 million worth of Waste and Recycling tenders, achieving impressive savings of $6.3 million for our clients. These savings ranged from as high as 59% to an average of 26% and were made up of better contract terms as well as increased landfill diversion.
If you need further assistance, Total Utilities offers procurement and advisory services to help you evaluate your options and make informed decisions about your waste contracts. Check out our services brochure.
by Chris Hargreaves | Jul 19, 2025 | Case Studies, News, Panoramic Power
And Solved It in Just 5 Minutes ⚡
At Total Utilities, we’re always looking for smarter ways to help Kiwi businesses reduce energy costs and improve operational efficiency. One of our recent pilot programmes with a logistics company delivered exactly that—and the results were both immediate and eye-opening.
We installed Panoramic Power, a real-time energy monitoring system, at one of their trial sites. Within just 24 hours, the system flagged 74kW of continuous energy waste. The source? A few misconfigured control settings in the site’s Building Management System (BMS). The solution? A simple five-minute adjustment.
💡 The impact:
- $10,000+ in annual savings, unlocked almost instantly
- No need for major upgrades or capital investment
- Immediate ROI from a low-risk pilot programme
But the story doesn’t end there.
As the system continued to monitor energy use, it uncovered a further $60,000 in potential savings—this time related to the site’s refrigeration system. These insights are now guiding the client’s decisions around future upgrades, maintenance priorities, and operational changes.
Why this matters:
This pilot proves the power of real-time energy visibility. It’s not just about identifying waste—it’s about enabling fast, cost-effective fixes that deliver measurable results. For businesses in logistics, manufacturing, or any energy-intensive sector, this kind of insight can be a game-changer.
Energy waste often hides in plain sight. Without the right tools, it goes unnoticed—and costs businesses thousands every year. With Panoramic Power, our clients gain the clarity they need to act quickly and confidently.
Ready to uncover hidden savings in your operations?
Whether you’re managing a single site or a nationwide network, we can help you take control of your energy use and unlock real value.
👉 Book a demo today and see how Panoramic Power can transform your energy strategy.
by Chris Hargreaves | Jul 19, 2025 | Case Studies, Energy
🚛 A Strategic Win for Smarter Energy Procurement
At Total Utilities, we’re passionate about helping Kiwi businesses navigate the complexities of energy procurement—especially in a market where prices continue to climb and certainty is hard to come by.
Recently, we partnered with a nationwide truck dealership and service agent facing a familiar challenge: a looming electricity contract renewal with a significant price increase from their existing retailer. With multiple sites across Aotearoa and rising operational costs, they needed a smarter, more strategic approach to energy management.
That’s where we came in.
Through a competitive tender process, market benchmarking, and strategic negotiation, we secured a new electricity contract with an alternate supplier—15% lower than the renewal offer. But the benefits didn’t stop there.
The Results:
✅ 15% reduction in electricity costs
✅ Improved contract terms and flexibility
✅ Enhanced long-term energy certainty across multiple locations
This outcome is a testament to the power of informed decision-making and proactive energy strategy. By leveraging market insights and our deep industry expertise, we helped our client not only save money but also gain confidence in their energy future.
Why It Matters:
Energy is often one of the top operating expenses for businesses, yet many organisations renew contracts without exploring alternatives. In today’s volatile energy landscape, taking a strategic approach can unlock significant savings and resilience.
If your business is approaching a contract renewal or simply wants to understand its energy options better, we’d love to kōrero. Whether you’re a single-site operator or a nationwide enterprise, we’re here to help you make smarter energy decisions.
📣 Let’s Talk
If your business is approaching a contract renewal, managing multiple sites, or simply wants to explore smarter energy options—now is the time to act. Reach out to Total Utilities for a no-obligation kōrero about how we can help you reduce costs, improve certainty, and future-proof your energy strategy.
Stay informed. Stay prepared.
As New Zealand continues its transition to a low-carbon future, Total Utilities will keep bringing you the latest insights and opportunities to stay ahead.
by Pravind Singh | Jul 18, 2025 | Case Studies, Waste
In today’s climate-conscious world, businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce waste, cut costs, and operate more sustainably. That’s why we’re thrilled to share how Total Utilities helped a nationwide hotel group achieve a massive 38% reduction in waste and recycling costs—saving over $380,000 across their sites. 💰🌏
💡 The Challenge
Like many large organisations, this hotel group was facing rising waste management costs and inconsistent service across multiple locations. With dozens of sites nationwide, they needed a smarter, more unified approach to waste and recycling—one that delivered both financial savings and environmental benefits.
🔧 The Total Utilities Solution
We rolled up our sleeves and got to work, applying our proven methodology to deliver real results. Here’s how we did it:
✅ Improved Contract Pricing & Terms
We renegotiated waste service contracts to better align with the client’s operational needs. By leveraging our market insights and supplier relationships, we secured more competitive rates and flexible terms that made a real difference.
✅ Smarter Collection Methods
We analysed collection schedules, bin sizes, and waste types to identify inefficiencies. By rethinking how waste was collected—across general, recycling, and organic streams—we reduced unnecessary pickups and optimised service frequency.
✅ Targeted Operational Changes
We worked closely with site managers to implement practical changes in how waste was handled. One hotel alone saw a 58% cost reduction through smarter sorting, staff training, and better bin placement. That’s the power of operational insight.
🌱 Sustainability Meets Savings
This project is a prime example of how smart business decisions can drive both cost savings and sustainability outcomes. By reducing waste volumes and improving recycling rates, the hotel group not only saved money—they also reduced their environmental footprint.
At Total Utilities, we believe that better outcomes come from better decisions. Whether it’s energy, waste, water, or carbon, we help businesses make informed choices that deliver long-term value.
📞 Ready to Rethink Your Waste Strategy?
If your business is looking to cut costs, improve sustainability, and gain better control over waste and recycling, we’d love to help.
👉 Book a call with our waste and recycling specialists today
Let’s chat about how smarter business can work for you.
