28 May 2008

Bright future for energy efficient hot water technologies

Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, today announced that 31 projects with a combined value of $950,000 have been offered funding under the second round of a government fund to encourage smart innovations in solar water heating and heat pump water heating technologies.

Funded projects include installations of solar and heat pump water heating systems in recreational and community facilities, as well as research and development that will build expertise in the industry.

"I've been impressed by the quantity and quality of applications coming forward. There are projects that will advance the technologies we need to extend the use of solar water heating from households into larger scale applications, and others that develop performance measures for heat pumps so they can eventually enter the grants system," Ms Fitzsimons says.

This is the second contestable round for this programme, known as the Innovation Fund.

Projects currently underway from the first round include:

* Monitoring of solar water heating systems on hotel accommodation blocks in the Bay of Islands

* Testing by Consumer NZ of the performance of heat pump water heaters

* A feasibility study into the use of solar cooling technology in the wine industry

* A research project exploring integrating solar water heating systems into roof structures

* A lease arrangement for a solar water heating system in a motel complex

* Development of computer software to evaluate the design of commercial solar water heating installations

* As contracts are finalised, further details of more projects will be made available

EECA will share results of Innovation Fund projects with consumers, industry associations and other interested groups.

Dates of further Innovation Fund rounds will be posted on EECA's website www.energywise.govt.nz/solar along with information about currently funded projects.

ENDS

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