Research and reports

The following findings are part of EECA’s quarterly consumer research that tracks the nation’s views on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The research provides a snapshot – and tracks change over time – on attitudes to different energy issues at home, on the road, at work, and around where our energy comes from. 

Prior to 2008 Cashmere High School was heated by two coal fired boilers. These boilers had reached the end of their economic life and the schools discharge consent for coal firing was soon to expire. Cashmere High School needed to seek a clean heating alternative. Wood pellet boilers were selected by the school as being the best alternative to coal and a pair of wood pellet boilers were installed in 2008. This monitoring report contains data collected from the first year of the boilers operation.

The Landcare Research space heating is currently derived from coal boilers that are located at the Crop and Food facility. The desire to pursue a carbon neutral fuel that is in line with their policy, along with improving the level of heating that is currently available from the
current system, are the key drivers for this feasibility study.

This report presents findings from a series of interviews social service providers (referred to as stakeholders) and individuals from low income households around New Zealand (respondents). Interviews were carried out during the winter of 2009 in South Auckland, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Greymouth and Hokitika, and Southland.

The report aims to: