Neo Leaf Global Limited is contracted to the Christchurch Agency for Energy (CAfE) to provide ongoing energy supply and usage data for Christchurch to assist in:
- the promotion of energy efficiency initiatives
- the increased use of renewable energy as a proportion of total energy usage
- the reduction of environmental problems caused by the use of fossil fuels
- the introduction of initiatives to address negative health and social impacts caused by fuel poverty and energy affordability issues.
This work is outlined in the Sustainable Energy Strategy for Christchurch 2008 - 2018 published by the Christchurch City Council.
The data is provided to Neo Leaf Global by the various energy suppliers to Christchurch and agencies that collect energy information, such as the Christchurch City Council, the Electricity Authority, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Statistics New Zealand. Available historical data, back to 2008, is included in the database where available to provide baseline data and historical trends, including seasonal variations.
Up-to-date energy data is received periodically, converted to consistent units of energy, aggregated as necessary to satisfy constraints relating to commercially sensitive information, compiled as an electronic database, and cross-checked with other available sources of energy data. The database is then provided to CAfE for inclusion in the CAfE website in a format permitting both tabular and graphical data interpretation.
The output of this database is to be used to monitor and record the ongoing amount of energy supplied and used in Christchurch by type, sector and proportion of renewable energy, so that comparisons can be made over time. This will also assist in a more accurate assessment of the effectiveness of various initiatives that will be undertaken by CAfE and others.
The database development programme includes the establishment of an ongoing oversight mechanism to permit design modifications as necessary to ensure the information flows are fit for purpose, capable of future enhancements, and constrained in respect of establishment and ongoing cost structures.