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The Waitati Energy Project

Date started: 
25 March 2010
Last updated: Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Related initiatives: 
Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust

Website

http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/node/426
http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/node/1115
http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/node/2390
http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/node/1840
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Project Aim

Vision

Our vision is to facilitate a positive, healthy, secure and resilient future for Waitati, Blueskin Bay and linked communities and promote sustainable resource use. We are engaged in an active transition to a lower energy future and seek to lower our carbon footprint while developing an energy resilient system.

Mission

The Waitati Energy Project will act to strengthen Waitati and Blueskin Bay communities in the immediate, mid and long-term future, with emphasis on energy and community resilience. We acknowledge the challenges posed by climate change, peak oil and the emerging global recession. We will actively collaborate with partners who recognise the need for communities to engage in sustainable initiatives and we will seek to develop partnerships with other groups, actors and communities who share the key theme of our vision.

 

 

Further details

Objectives

  1. To develop and administer projects that provide education, support and resources to maximise locally based sustainable provision of energy, food, and water.
  2. To develop and administer projects that provide education, support and resources to minimise energy use, encourage healthy homes and encourage sustainable households.
  3. To secure and manage funding to achieve the stated goals of the WEP, and to stimulate local sustainable economic activity.
  4. To develop and maintain relationships to achieve the stated goals of the WEP.
  5. To ensure community partnership in any enterprises initiated by the WEP and to aim for the most equitable use of resources.
  6. To foster linkages between organisations with objectives similar to, or complementary to, the WEP’s own Vision and Objectives.
  7. The WEP’s goals and activity will always remain charitable.

‘The community’ or ‘communities’ is/are defined as focused on the geographical area of Blueskin Bay, encompassing the village communities of Waitati, Evansdale and Warrington as defined by census map, school attendance and local food-shed. However we are aware that ‘community’ is not a static idea but is re-negotiated at every moment and thus we reserve the right to restrict or expand the notion of community to a smaller or wider geographical circle associated with ‘Blueskin Bay’ generally, either as our resources allow or as required to meet our objectives. At all times our smallest area of action is Waitati, as per the 2006 census map.

Action/Activities

The Waitati Energy Project is action based. There is often a lag between what we do, and what appears on the web, as our 'virtual' action is far less important to us than what is happening on the ground (and therefore receives less attention from the bounded resource of individual volunteer's time and energy). However here is a log of action over time (month by month, in the form of WEP articles that have appeared in the Blueskin News), and below is a list of WEP activities or interests that are currently occupying us.

  1. Creating Household Energy Efficiency: The WEP Retrofit Rollout and further insulation initiatives
  2. Renewable Generation. Four projects on the go: Community Wind Turbine, Powerhouse Wind's 'Thinair' Proto-type, Micro Hydro and Dispersed Generation.
  3. Energy Literacy: Not the normal WEP publications and activity but specific and upcoming events and actions.

 

 

Inspiration

Background Complacency, and the belief that low electricity prices and reliable supply will continue in our changing world is not an option. Faith in cheap fuel is equally misplaced. Some of this was brought home sharply to us all in Waitati in 2006 when floodwaters cut us off, damaged houses, infrastructure, crops and livestock. Yet it also gave us cause to celebrate the strong networks that are already in existence in the community. Over the past two and more years a number of meetings/workshops have been held with energy as a key focus. Green co-leader Russell Norman, Bob Lloyd and Richard Reeve discussed wind power, peak oil and wind farms at Waitati in 2006. Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons stimulated our imaginations on her Climate Defence Tour stop off in Waitati in 2007. In between, and subsequently, a number of other workshops, films and meetings have continually raised to prominence the idea that if we don't do something, no-one else will.

Outcomes so far

By the end of March 2010 we aim to have: 1. A robust estimate of generation potential (kW and kWh p.a.) 2. A robust estimate of the financial viability of the Distributed Generation Project (DGP) 3. Informed comment on the ‘replicability’ or national potential of the DGP 4. Key technical information on the technology(ies) and energy resource(s) that are to be used 5. A preliminary analysis of environmental impacts and consent requirements 6. A preliminary analysis of network connection costs and ongoing network charges or rebates 7. A drat consultation strategy 8. An analysis of key technical risk and issue

Obstacles, and how we overcame them

The consultative, community-led resource-light shape to this project has provided parameters containing several challenges. Most notably, the pro-bono nature of technical data collection and analysis combined with the desirability of longitudinal data is proving to be the largest challenge within a short time frame (reporting deadline to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority of the 31st of March, 2010).

Links and Partnerships

WindFlow Technology NZ, Energy 3 and assistance from Trustpower.

1. The Otago Energy Research Centre
2. The Hikurangi Foundation (through the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust)
3. Powerhouse Wind
4. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
5. Sustainable Dunedin City
6. The Centre for the Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Sources of Funding

We are funded primarily by the Hikurangi Foundation to develop an 'Operations Manual' for communities around New Zealand to develop, own and manage their own renewable generation.

Contacts

Primary point of contact: 
karan snow
Themes: 
Food
Themes: 
Health
Themes: 
Energy

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