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Direct use of gas could slash NZ’s CO2 (07 July 2008)
Pohokura great news for domestic and other consumers on the reticulated network (22 March 2007)
Gas education enters the hi-tech market (30 November 2006)
First Certificates of Competency Gas Industry (3 July 2006)
Kupe great news for domestic gas consumers (July 2006)
07 July 2008
Direct use of gas could slash NZ’s CO2
Direct use of gas could slash NZ’s CO2 output
Using gas and LPG for water and space heating, instead of electricity, could cut New Zealand’s CO2 output by nearly two million tonnes pa.
The figures are based on the findings of a new study which was commissioned by the Gas and LPG Associations (GANZ and LPGA), and undertaken by the Centre for Advanced Engineering (CAENZ).
“The research shows that direct use of gas and LPG is one of the lowest CO2 emitting energy sources with which to heat our homes, heat our water and with which to cook,” said GANZ chairman, Craig Muirhead.
“It’s only bettered in CO2 terms by the latest heat pumps and by wood and pellet burners used for heating and fuelled by truly renewable sources.”
The research demonstrates that using gas and LPG instead of electricity for water and space heating in particular, could have a major impact on New Zealand’s total CO2 output.
“Industry projections indicate fuel switching to direct use of gas could cut CO2 emissions by 1.7 million tonnes pa within a decade,” said LPGA executive director, Peter Gilbert.
The study compares the CO2, energy efficiency and cost impacts of gas/LPG appliances with alternatives in the residential, commercial and light industrial sectors. It provides a full energy chain analysis, not just a comparison of end use appliance efficiencies.
Gas Association executive director, Stephen Parker, said the gas and LPG industries have long maintained that New Zealand should make the best and most efficient use of all available energy resources.
“We need to think about the best fuel for the job rather than focus purely on electricity.
“For water heating and space heating, using gas instead of electricity is a very sensible solution that should be part of the overall energy policy mix.”
LPG Association president, Albert de Geest, says the CAENZ Report reinforces the case for greater use of gas and LPG.
“The report highlights quite clearly that direct use of gas and LPG is a strategic energy asset which we are definitely not using to full advantage.”
The report shows that using gas directly is also among the most cost-effective heating water heating and cooking energy sources.
And it offers significant energy efficiency, CO2 and cost advantages when used for steam production, commercial hot water and commercial HVAC systems.
Editors’ note:
A copy of the CAENZ report is available on www.ganz.org.nz and www.lpga.org.nz
For further information please contact:
•Craig Muirhead – (027) 2711739
•Stephen Parker – (021) 680556
•Peter Gilbert – (021) 857469
•Albert de Geest – (027) 5349274
22 March 2007
Pohokura great news for domestic and other consumers on the reticulated network
The Gas Association applauds the commissioning of the offshore wells at the Pohokura gasfield, Michael Cummings, the chairman of the Association said.
This further enhances the flows from Pohokura, following the commissioning of the onshore wells last year.
“This is an important achievement for the downstream industry and reinforces to the public the degree to which New Zealanders can be assured that we have plenty of gas for our residential and commercial users for the foreseeable future.
“The value of this is substantial for New Zealand, and the position will be further strengthened when the Kupe gasfield comes onstream in a couple of years time as expected.” Michael continued.
“Natural gas has a significant and increasing role to play as the country looks to be cleaner and greener. It is one of the only consistently available fuels which can help New Zealand on the path to a low-carbon economy.
“It is an ideal fuel to partner with renewables, particularly solar energy.
“Importantly, it also provides energy security and energy diversity advantages. Natural gas can offset electricity demands and reduce the strain on electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems.
“The coming onstream of the Pohokura offshore wells is great news all around,” Michael said.
30 November 2006
Gas education enters the hi-tech market
‘Gas 101’ an introductory learning DVD detailing the gas industry from extraction to home was launched in Wellington on 30 November 2006. It was commissioned by the gas industry as an educational and promotional tool highlighting every aspect of gas and the industry.
The DVD clearly illustrates every aspect of gas including some of the highly technical areas. “This DVD will revolutionise the way we all learn about gas” said Stephen Parker, Executive director GANZ. “We are all really excited about people using this DVD as it brings gas to life in a way that in easy to understand and learn from. Our aim is to make sure all our stakeholders understand gas from a raw recruit into the gas industry to associated gas personnel such as police, fire, occupational health, civil defence, ambulance and other healthcare staff.”
Michael Cummings, Chair of GANZ agrees: “Gas is such an essential source of energy in New Zealand. It is used in industry and domestically to heat homes and hot water, and for cooking food. This is an ideal time to highlight every aspect of gas to people. Our industry has been crying out for a vehicle that we can use to explain gas in a way that people understand and relate to.”
Health and safety messages are an intrinsic part of the learning covered by the DVD making it an ideal training medium on gas for associated gas personnel such as police, fire, occupational health, civil defence, ambulance and other healthcare staff.
A Users Guide has been developed to be used in conjunction with DVD to make this an interactive teaching and learning experience in a group or individually.
In addition the gas industry now has a resource library that will allow in depth portrayal of technical construction and functionality of plant and equipment along with time based cause and effect illustrations and predictive analysis. It also has a resource that can present complex theories in visual/kinaesthetic form for future learning opportunities.
For more information please contact Stephen Parker/Diane Davidson at GANZ on 04 492 9220 or Diana Wolken at the Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying ITO on 04 802 0624. To obtain a copy of the DVD and User Guide please contact the PG & D ITO
3 July 2006
First Certificates of Competency Gas Industry
The gas industry has picked up the challenges set by impending changes in the legislation governing it. It has created a new framework based on Certificates of Competence based on the new modern legislation, Energy Safety Review Bill, which is proceeding through Parliament.
The first 16 gas industry Certificate of Competence (CoC) cards will be presented by the Associate Minister for Energy, Hon Harry Duynhoven, to industry personnel at a special ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
The CoC cards have been formally adopted by the industry as the minimum requirements for those working in the Distribution and Gas Measurement System (GMS) sectors and must be carried at all times by operatives as proof they can undertake the prescribed level of work.
In addition to the 16 certificates being presented, a further 472 gas industry personnel are taking part in a four stream, four level framework designed to provide ‘Minimum Competency’ standards for all people working on and around the gas networks.
Those who pass level one are able to work as trainees, level two as trades operative assistants, level three as trades operatives and lastly level four as technicians. Level three is the minimum competency level required to work unsupervised on gas distribution and GMS networks.
The cards mark a significant step forward for the industry which is, by establishing a national framework for the Certificate of Competency, moving to create consistency and safety across all gas industry sectors.
“This is a key safety initiative in line with the gas industry’s desire for a light handed, performance based, self regulatory regime,” said Gas Association of New Zealand (GANZ), Chairman, Michael Cummings.
“This is ‘self help’ at its best. Our focus is on increasing safety while reducing risk. It provides the industry the opportunity to create its competency requirements with flexibility.
“And, as part of this, we are already in the process of expanding and including other Certificates of Competency which we hope to implement in the near future,” he said.
Created by the gas industry and facilitated by the Extractive Industries’ ITO the framework is based on existing NZQA unit standards and contains a requirement for regular refresher courses for its holders.
There will be a transition period to adopt the minimum competencies where industry will be expected to complete the exercise in January 2007.
The gas industry has made a commitment to both manage and report upon this competency requirement routinely. This will sit neatly within the changing energy legislation which will empower the new Safety Management Systems (SMS). The cards will become an integral part of those systems as introduced via the Energy Safety Review Bill.
July 2006
Kupe great news for domestic gas consumers
The development of the Kupe gasfield means domestic consumers can be assured of plentiful supplies of gas for the foreseeable future, Michael Cummings, the Chairman of the Gas Association said.
“Between Pohokura, Kupe and the recent Turangi-1 development we will now have reserves of around 1000PJ of gas coming to market, which is around a quarter of the Maui reserves at its peak.
“This coupled with the withdrawal of some large petrochemical plants will mean the reticulated gas market can continue to rely on indigenous fuels for many years,” he noted.
“Three-quarters of new home owners in new North Island subdivisions are choosing natural gas for space and water heating and for cooking.
“The development of Kupe is great news all round,” he said.
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