In the past three to five years, legislative changes have prompted many New Zealand businesses to evaluate their contributions towards the country’s net carbon zero targets. Despite their commitment to sustainability and reducing CO2 emissions, many companies find themselves stuck at the implementation stage due to a lack of necessary data.
The Importance of Data in Sustainability
The journey towards sustainability is fundamentally dependent on data. Data is crucial, from setting decarbonisation goals to determining the actions needed to achieve those goals and monitoring progress. Most sustainability projects involve significant investments in onsite energy generation, transitioning to renewable energy sources, diversifying the energy mix, or investing in more efficient machinery.
Granular data collected at the machine, process, and facility levels empowers decision-makers to justify their investments and confidently implement sustainability initiatives.
Establishing Baselines and Monitoring Progress
Once an investment decision is made, organisations need to establish baselines and monitor progress. Highly accurate IoT devices can measure energy use and emissions across critical machinery, creating a baseline for tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement. Monitoring energy consumption, operational efficiency, and emission levels allows organisations to set realistic, data-backed sustainability targets, monitor initiatives over time, and collect the data needed to meet reporting obligations.
Case Study: The Power of Data in Action
A national retail chain, a client of Total Utilities, demonstrates the power of data in action. The Panoramic Power Energy Intelligence solution helped identify out-of-hours energy waste equivalent to 51,000kg of Scope 2 CO2 emissions. By using Panoramic Power sensors to measure the energy consumption of their HVAC system, they identified an opportunity to optimise these assets during non-operational hours, achieving $105,000 per year in total energy cost savings.
Criteria for Effective Data Utilisation
For data to successfully drive sustainability initiatives forward, it must meet the following criteria:
Generate Insights: Organisations striving for net zero need more than just raw data; they need actionable insights. A robust data tool is required to generate these insights, allowing key stakeholders to visualise the full energy picture, identify sources of waste, and determine where interventions will have the most significant economic and environmental impact.
Be Readily Shareable: Companies worldwide often suffer from data silos, where relevant data does not reach those who need it for daily operations. A data tool that facilitates easy sharing across departments and stakeholders empowers both site and management levels to carry out their tasks efficiently and accurately.
Ease Reporting Obligations: Organisations face increasing pressure to collect and maintain accurate emissions and resource consumption data and report on decarbonisation efforts. A data-driven energy monitoring strategy provides a clear view of energy and carbon performance and generates detailed reports required for regulatory and legislative compliance with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Harness Energy Intelligence and Boost Your Sustainability Initiatives
When organisations have confidence in their data, they can better manage their energy use. Data will be the cornerstone of successful sustainability journeys going forward. By collecting, analysing, and acting on data-driven insights, manufacturing organisations can bridge the gap between commitments and implementation, achieve net-zero goals, and build a more sustainable future.
How Total Utilities Can Help
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 offer the easiest-to-install, and fastest for ROI energy management solution, that scales effortlessly from a few devices to full-site or multi-site operations. Experience actionable insights and real-time analytics that drive efficiency and sustainability. Our solutions work for everyone, helping your organisation kickstart cultural transformation towards a sustainable future.
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.
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.
