title: The Legal Framework for Energy Efficiency in Road Transport: A Critique of Legislation, Regulation, and Policy in New Zealand

authors: Jordan, Kimberley Jane

subjects: Energy efficiency

abstract: Energy efficiency provides a feasible way by which transport emissions can be reduced, air quality can be improved, and security of supply can be increased. In light of energy security and climate change, improving efficiency should be relatively high on the Government’s agenda, also because it can contribute to economic efficiency.

This thesis compares the legal framework in New Zealand with the regulatory approach of the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Australia. The discussion shows that the legislative framework in New Zealand gives a disjointed and complicated approach to strategic planning which has resulted in a lack of cohesion which requires future reform. However, the proposed amendments to the primary legislation that affects planning in transport will not be helpful in improving energy efficiency, and research shows the overall focus of central government is not consistent with international thinking. Further, the targets for energy efficiency in transport are weak and require nothing more than business as usual. Even though policies to promote energy efficiency exist, the isolated instruments chosen have limited results. Overall, the regulatory and policy approach by central government gives a piecemeal and unsatisfactory outcome. The approach by some local governments however, shows a commitment to improve energy conservation.

To show internationally that New Zealand is committed to reducing our GHG emissions, reform is needed. New Zealand needs regulation to reduce the average age of the vehicle fleet and to encourage more efficient vehicles. This should consist of vehicle standards, a charge on vehicle CO₂ emissions, and improved information measures. These above measures need to be integrated. Further policy instruments are needed to encourage the use of alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and eco-driving. Perhaps most importantly, what is needed is a philosophical shift by Government, who needs to lead by example and to view energy efficiency as a priority rather than a desired outcome.

text: The Legal Framework for Energy Efficiency in Road Transport: A Critique of Legislation, Regulation, and Policy in New Zealand Energy efficiency provides a feasible way by which transport emissions can be reduced, air quality can be improved, and security of supply can be increased. In light of energy security and climate change, improving efficiency should be relatively high on the Government’s agenda, also because it can contribute to economic efficiency.

This thesis compares the legal framework in New Zealand with the regulatory approach of the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Australia. The discussion shows that the legislative framework in New Zealand gives a disjointed and complicated approach to strategic planning which has resulted in a lack of cohesion which requires future reform. However, the proposed amendments to the primary legislation that affects planning in transport will not be helpful in improving energy efficiency, and research shows the overall focus of central government is not consistent with international thinking. Further, the targets for energy efficiency in transport are weak and require nothing more than business as usual. Even though policies to promote energy efficiency exist, the isolated instruments chosen have limited results. Overall, the regulatory and policy approach by central government gives a piecemeal and unsatisfactory outcome. The approach by some local governments however, shows a commitment to improve energy conservation.

To show internationally that New Zealand is committed to reducing our GHG emissions, reform is needed. New Zealand needs regulation to reduce the average age of the vehicle fleet and to encourage more efficient vehicles. This should consist of vehicle standards, a charge on vehicle CO₂ emissions, and improved information measures. These above measures need to be integrated. Further policy instruments are needed to encourage the use of alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and eco-driving. Perhaps most importantly, what is needed is a philosophical shift by Government, who needs to lead by example and to view energy efficiency as a priority rather than a desired outcome.

year: 2012

title: Field data collection for implementation of Supercapacitor Assisted LED Lighting (SCALED)

authors: Norbu, Tenzin

subjects: Renewable energy

abstract: With the increasing impact of global warming, climate change is becoming the biggest threat for all life on our planet. The conventional way of generating electricity from the burning of fossil fuels releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which contributes to the rise in the earth’s temperature. Moreover, fossil fuels are being consumed very rapidly and we now have limited resources, which need to be monitored to face future energy demands. The development of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is a rapidly growing technology. With the extensive research and investment in this industry at present, in the near future solar power will be one of our leading renewable energy sources. Furthermore, as solar panels directly produce direct current (DC), they can be directly tied to a DC microgrid without requiring any power converter, thereby minimizing losses and increasing efficiency.
The supercapacitor assisted light emitting diode (SCALED) converter is one of the new circuit techniques under development for low voltage light emitting diode (LED) systems at the University of Waikato. In this circuit, an LED is connected in series with the supercapacitor bank forming part of a resistor-capacitor (RC) charging loop. This is to avoid energy losses in the RC charging loop, which can create, in the worst case, a 50% loss. As the commonly used 12 V LEDs are internally DC operated devices, SCALED will be applicable in DC microgrids, which are the emerging technology in low voltage distribution systems.
The groundwork for this project requires various solar-related field data collection and simulations for the successful implementation of this innovative technique. Unlike a conventional power supply, solar power output directly depends on the solar irradiance level, which is very unpredictable. Given the unique behaviour of solar panel output, starting with a near constant current behaviour and changing over to a practical voltage source with an approximately constant array resistance, combining a supercapacitor bank and an LED lamp will be a challenge in developing the SCALED topology. In addition, proper field measurements and analysis of these characteristics are essential to develop more efficient and reliable SCALED circuits for DC microgrid applications.

text: Field data collection for implementation of Supercapacitor Assisted LED Lighting (SCALED) With the increasing impact of global warming, climate change is becoming the biggest threat for all life on our planet. The conventional way of generating electricity from the burning of fossil fuels releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which contributes to the rise in the earth’s temperature. Moreover, fossil fuels are being consumed very rapidly and we now have limited resources, which need to be monitored to face future energy demands. The development of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is a rapidly growing technology. With the extensive research and investment in this industry at present, in the near future solar power will be one of our leading renewable energy sources. Furthermore, as solar panels directly produce direct current (DC), they can be directly tied to a DC microgrid without requiring any power converter, thereby minimizing losses and increasing efficiency.
The supercapacitor assisted light emitting diode (SCALED) converter is one of the new circuit techniques under development for low voltage light emitting diode (LED) systems at the University of Waikato. In this circuit, an LED is connected in series with the supercapacitor bank forming part of a resistor-capacitor (RC) charging loop. This is to avoid energy losses in the RC charging loop, which can create, in the worst case, a 50% loss. As the commonly used 12 V LEDs are internally DC operated devices, SCALED will be applicable in DC microgrids, which are the emerging technology in low voltage distribution systems.
The groundwork for this project requires various solar-related field data collection and simulations for the successful implementation of this innovative technique. Unlike a conventional power supply, solar power output directly depends on the solar irradiance level, which is very unpredictable. Given the unique behaviour of solar panel output, starting with a near constant current behaviour and changing over to a practical voltage source with an approximately constant array resistance, combining a supercapacitor bank and an LED lamp will be a challenge in developing the SCALED topology. In addition, proper field measurements and analysis of these characteristics are essential to develop more efficient and reliable SCALED circuits for DC microgrid applications.

year: 2018

title: Housing, mental health, and homelessness: Exploring lived experiences of homelessness to identify barriers to sustainable housing for vulnerable populations

authors: Cresswell, Caitlin Grace

subjects: Homelessness

abstract: Homelessness has become a much talked about topic in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2018 and the preceding years. This thesis explores the experiences of five people who have mental illness and have lived experience of homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand, and two staff members who work closely with people who experience both mental illness and homelessness. The theoretical frameworks that inform this thesis are narrative research, social constructionism and humanistic psychology. Particular attention was paid to using theoretical frameworks and interview methods that suited Māori (the indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand) due to the inequities experienced by Māori in mental health and homelessness, and the majority of participants identifying as New Zealand Māori. Participants’ narratives were gathered using semi- structured interviews. This study argues the importance of a humanistic perspective being used for research on homelessness. In contrast to traditional psychology, humanistic psychology emphasises respecting individual participants’ voice and narratives about their personal experiences of homelessness while considering the environment that influence these narratives. The participants’ narratives reflected their desire to be viewed as more than their life circumstances and illness through the sharing of their life stories. While there has been growing public awareness about mental illness, stigma still exists about mental illness which influences social narratives and how people who have mental illness understand their experiences. I argue that people who are vulnerable to homelessness, like those who experience mental illness, should have better protection from homelessness. To achieve this, I argue that structural barriers to finding, gaining and sustaining housing need to be addressed,
iii
including the design of welfare and housing services. Additionally, there needs to be recognition that the solutions to homelessness are complex and require a whole of system approach to effectively address and prevent homelessness. Recognising the complex nature of homelessness and it’s solutions will help bring a focus to establishing predominantly preventative solutions while also providing emergency housing for people in need.

text: Housing, mental health, and homelessness: Exploring lived experiences of homelessness to identify barriers to sustainable housing for vulnerable populations Homelessness has become a much talked about topic in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2018 and the preceding years. This thesis explores the experiences of five people who have mental illness and have lived experience of homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand, and two staff members who work closely with people who experience both mental illness and homelessness. The theoretical frameworks that inform this thesis are narrative research, social constructionism and humanistic psychology. Particular attention was paid to using theoretical frameworks and interview methods that suited Māori (the indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand) due to the inequities experienced by Māori in mental health and homelessness, and the majority of participants identifying as New Zealand Māori. Participants’ narratives were gathered using semi- structured interviews. This study argues the importance of a humanistic perspective being used for research on homelessness. In contrast to traditional psychology, humanistic psychology emphasises respecting individual participants’ voice and narratives about their personal experiences of homelessness while considering the environment that influence these narratives. The participants’ narratives reflected their desire to be viewed as more than their life circumstances and illness through the sharing of their life stories. While there has been growing public awareness about mental illness, stigma still exists about mental illness which influences social narratives and how people who have mental illness understand their experiences. I argue that people who are vulnerable to homelessness, like those who experience mental illness, should have better protection from homelessness. To achieve this, I argue that structural barriers to finding, gaining and sustaining housing need to be addressed,
iii
including the design of welfare and housing services. Additionally, there needs to be recognition that the solutions to homelessness are complex and require a whole of system approach to effectively address and prevent homelessness. Recognising the complex nature of homelessness and it’s solutions will help bring a focus to establishing predominantly preventative solutions while also providing emergency housing for people in need.

year: 2018