We’re delighted to welcome Dave Booker to the Total Utilities team as our new Process Improvement Engineer. His expertise will undoubtedly enhance our commitment to delivering exceptional service.
Dave brings decades of experience from industries like pulp, paper and steel, where he’s known for his hands-on approach to solving complex technical problems.
His background in troubleshooting and strategic process improvements makes him the perfect fit for our goal of delivering smarter, more efficient energy solutions.
At Total Utilities, Dave will focus on optimising our Panoramic Power energy monitoring and intelligence platform, a key tool in tracking energy consumption for our clients.
His job? To make sure the data captured by these units doesn’t just sit in spreadsheets but becomes a powerful tool to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Turning Data into Action
“It’s not just about collecting data,” Dave says, “It’s about transforming that data into insights that show clients exactly where they can reduce energy and put their resources to best use.”
With rising power prices and operational costs becoming a major concern for businesses, Dave’s role is more crucial than ever. “What we’re aiming for is visibility,” he adds. “We want to give clients a clear understanding of how their systems are performing, where inefficiencies lie, and what can be done about them—before small issues turn into costly problems.”
By analysing mechanical performance and predicting failures before they happen, Dave is confident that his work with Panoramic Power will not only prevent breakdowns but also boost long-term sustainability and operational savings.
His practical, methodical approach to problem-solving has been honed through years of experience. His previous roles as a Process Engineer and Technical Superintendent have sharpened his ability to instinctively find solutions, often before the problem fully reveals itself.
Driving Efficiency, Cutting Costs
Whether it’s transforming raw energy data into useful information or strategically planning capital investments, Dave is always looking for ways to get more with less, ensuring that any investment in technology delivers real, tangible results.
When he’s not busy turning data into action, he’s a keen Harley Davidson enthusiast and also enjoys turning his hand to home improvements.
We welcome Dave to the team, and look forward to seeing the impact he will make as he applies his expertise to help our clients navigate the challenges of rising operational costs and energy consumption.
Ready to optimise your energy usage and cut operational costs? Connect with Dave and the team today to discover how our data-driven solutions can work for you.
In today’s evolving sustainability landscape, staying ahead of carbon management and ESG reporting challenges is critical.
At Total Utilities, we understand the complexity businesses and sustainability professionals face. That’s why we offer our Carbon Footprinting & Reporting service, powered by Net0.
This cutting-edge AI platform automates carbon calculations, identifies reduction opportunities, and simplifies compliance for ESG reporting.
Key benefits of our Carbon Footprinting & Reporting service:
Streamlines Carbon Management: Net0’s AI automates complex carbon calculations, drastically reducing the time needed to measure emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3. With real-time data collection, it keeps businesses on top of their carbon footprint—no more manual data entry or messy spreadsheets. For sustainability professionals, this means less time spent chasing numbers and more time focusing on strategic initiatives that drive change.
Identifies Key Reduction Opportunities: Beyond simply measuring emissions, Net0 uncovers specific carbon reduction opportunities tailored to your operations and objectives. This enables businesses to make informed decisions quickly, helping them meet carbon goals while reducing costs. It’s a win-win, benefiting both the planet and your bottom line.
Simplifies ESG Reporting: Ensuring ESG reporting is accurate and compliant with industry standards is often a major challenge. Net0 consolidates data, automates report generation, and ensures compliance with regulatory and investor expectations. This gives sustainability leaders peace of mind, knowing their reports are comprehensive and transparent.
Why Net0 & Total Utilities? With decades of experience supporting New Zealand businesses in their sustainability and energy journeys, Total Utilities combines best in class expertise with Net0’s AI-driven platform to offer a seamless, effective solution. Our approach aligns sustainability efforts with business objectives, helping drive both environmental impact and financial performance.
Ready to transform your carbon management strategy? Contact us or comment below to learn how Total Utilities can fast-track your sustainability initiatives and help you stay ahead of ESG requirements.
By Pravind Singh, Sustainable Business Improvement Manager, Total Utilities
While waste may not be high on glamour-factor, it certainly has a major impact on the environment and your business’s bottom line.
That’s why we need to get passionate about opportunities to achieve meaningful change through innovative, practical, and cost effective waste and recycling practices.
As Total Utilities’ Sustainable Business Improvement Manager, I’ve seen a growing trend where clients and businesses’ potential partners—such as those awarding tenders—are increasingly choosing companies that prioritise environmentally responsible practices.
That’s why we focus on making waste management simpler, more cost-effective, and closely aligned with our clients’ sustainability goals. Our approach turns waste into an opportunity– meeting the increasing demand for accurate reporting and carbon emissions reduction.
At Total Utilities, our goal is to transform waste management into a strategic advantage for your business through:
Cost Savings: Helping you cut waste costs from day one.
Operational efficiency: Simplify waste handling and reporting to save both time and inconvenience.
Sustainability: Boosting recycling and green practices for positive environmental outcomes.
Results that Speak for Themselves
The impact of our work is truly rewarding. For example, we recently helped Mitre 10 with a large-scale waste and recycling project, leading to significant savings and streamlined operations. Here’s a snippet from their glowing recommendation:
“Partnering once again after our successful initial waste and recycling project in 2020 is a testament to the consistently high standards of Total Utilities… The impact of this project extends beyond mere savings; it has also enabled us to streamline operations and introduce sustainable solutions on a national scale.” — Vinay Linus, Head of Indirect Procurement, Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Ltd. Full testimonial here.
Another recent testimonial comes from Dilworth who we helped achieve a whopping 43% reduction in waste costs, effectively transforming their waste management practices. Read the full testimonial here.
Other examples include consolidating waste services for a major hotel group, saving $105,000 annually (21% reduction), and centralising waste procurement for a NZ bakery, achieving $27,842 in annual savings (15% reduction).
The list goes on…
Our Waste Services
Here’s how we can support your financial and sustainability objectives:
Waste Procurement and RFP Bid Process: We analyse your current services and secure competitive proposals, reducing costs and aligning with your sustainability goals.
Smart Waste Audits: Detailed site analysis and tailored recommendations, including hands-on education and senior management collaboration, to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
Clear Reporting: Intuitive tools provide clear insights into your waste data, enabling informed decisions that save time and cut costs.
Tailored Waste and Recycling Solutions: We source and select the best waste and recycling options, ensuring competitive rates and high-quality service.
It’s time to get passionate about waste, people! The opportunities to do better for the planet, while saving you time, money, and hassle in the process are endless. It feels good to do something worthwhile.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can help you reduce costs and meet your sustainability goals.
We’re excited to share this testimonial from Mitre 10! See how our partnership has helped Mitre 10 achieve significant savings and drive innovative waste practices across its New Zealand operations:
“Partnering once again after our successful initial waste and recycling project in 2020 is a testament to the consistently high standards of Total Utilities. This ongoing collaboration with the Mitre 10 cooperative has resulted in substantial cost savings and the signing of over 10 contracts across the country, each customised to meet the specific requirements of our retail sites. The impact of this project extends beyond mere savings; it has also enabled us to streamline operations and introduce sustainable solutions on a national scale.
Pravind, representing Total Utilities, has been an instrumental part of this success. His unwavering diligence and adaptability have ensured that all cooperative requirements were met with precision, even as we navigated various changes throughout the project. His proactive approach and commitment to client satisfaction have made the process seamless and transparent.
This collaboration exemplifies the strength of long-term partnerships in achieving strategic objectives while fostering innovation and responsible business practices.”
Vinay Linus Head of Indirect Procurement Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Ltd
Ready to transform your business with tailored waste solutions? No matter what your business size, we can help. Reach out today and let’s chat about how we can help you cut costs and achieve your sustainability goals!
Imagine powering your organisation with clean, renewable energy while keeping costs under control. Well, a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) could help you achieve that.
A Solar PPA is a long-term contract allowing your business to procure electricity directly from a renewable power generator. This can consist of solar energy generated from on-site panels or offsite grid connected solar farms. This allows solar to be purchased as a commodity at a relatively low generation cost compared to forward energy market prices.
There are many different types of Solar PPAs–which I’ll discuss a little later in this article–so you can choose which type works best for your organisation.
Types of Solar PPAs
There are many different types of Solar PPAs, so you can choose which type works best for your organisation.
On-site PPAs
Commercial Solar PPA: This contract typically lasts 15 to 20 years and requires no upfront investment from you. The solar company takes care of everything—from designing and financing to building, operating, and maintaining the solar system at your site. You simply pay a fixed rate per kWh for the electricity generated, which is usually lower than the rates from the grid. This arrangement helps you reduce your reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources, maximise energy savings, and gain better control over your costs.
Private Wire PPA: Similar to the Commercial Solar PPA, this type utilises ground-mounted solar panels installed on nearby land. Electricity is transmitted directly to your site through a “private wire.” Like the Commercial PPA, it typically lasts 15 to 20 years and allows you to decrease your reliance on grid power while cutting costs and carbon emissions.
Off-site PPAs
Offsite PPAs are sourced from grid-scale generation assets, commonly categorised as “sleeved” or “virtual” PPAs. They offer several advantages over onsite PPAs:
The solar system can be built in optimal locations, ensuring higher efficiency.
Energy purchase amounts aren’t limited by your site’s capacity.
Contracts can be flexible, adapting to multiple sites or relocating if necessary.
Sleeved PPAs: Also known as corporate PPAs, these agreements involve you, an energy retailer, and an offsite renewable generation source. Typically, they are take-or-pay contracts, where you commit to purchasing a fixed volume of energy at a predetermined price. The retailer takes delivery of the renewable energy and incorporates it into your supply contract, often allowing up to 70% of your demand to be met by renewable sources. These contracts can range from 10 to 20 years, with shorter terms usually carrying a premium.
Virtual PPAs: Virtual PPAs, or synthetic PPAs, are structured as contracts-for-difference. They include a strike price for the generated electricity; if market prices fall below this price, you pay the generator the difference, and vice versa. This structure offers flexibility in the amount and location of energy supplied and can support multi-site models.
The New Zealand Energy Market
In New Zealand, the energy market is largely shaped by a handful of key players, with Contact, Genesis, Mercury, and Meridian accounting for around 90% of the electricity supply. This has historically limited options for large businesses seeking to secure energy directly from generators, as most businesses are seen as too small for generators to take notice. As a result, they have to deal with retailers where the cost of generation is defined by the market.
However, a wave of independent renewable energy companies is shaking things up. Collaborations like the recent partnerships between Ryman Healthcare, Mercury, and Solar Bay, or The Warehouse Group and Lodestone Energy, or Inghams and Lodestone Energy, are paving the way for organisations like yours to lock in long-term contracts at competitive rates.
How Total Utilities Can Help
Total Utilities offers PPA consultation services as part of our broader energy procurement solutions. As an independent advisor, we assess a wide range of options without bias, ensuring that we recommend the most suitable PPA strategy for your organisation.
To learn more about investing in an onsite or offsite Solar PPA, speak to our experts today.
Our forestry client pursued Toitu Enviromark and ISO 14001 certifications to achieve stringent ESG standards.
Solution:
Total Utilities guided certification journeys for global compliance and enhanced industry reputation.
Outcome:
ESG excellence achieved with outstanding environmental, social, and governance standards.
Toitu Enviromark certification elevated sustainability profile.
Prepared for ISO 14001 accreditation, establishing global forestry leadership.Result:Our partnership led to national forestry leadership, meeting ESG goals and global standards.
Result:
Our partnership led to national forestry leadership, meeting ESG goals and global standards.
