Finn Howard
2024 | Trade, Electrical
Finn Howard and his employer AGL with support from Ai Group participated in our 2024 pilot program for employer supported scholarships. Read more about this pilot.
Hi, Finn Howard here, 2024 Global Footprints Scholarship winner, and this is my experience working in New Zealand with Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy.
Meridian is a renewable energy provider using hydro, wind and solar, based primarily in the South Island.
I was given the chance to work at various hydroelectric power stations, such as Manapōuri, Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki. These stations all provide clean, renewable energy in line with New Zealand’s net zero goals.
They practise sustainable techniques such as recycling, reusing rags and minimising consumables. They aim to reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing parts from manufacturers with minimal carbon footprints and clean practices.
Most of the company fleet consists of electric vehicles charged using the renewable energy that Meridian generates itself.
Meridian’s hydropower stations vary in size and generate around 30 per cent of the country’s power.
Meridian also has multiple wind farms and I was lucky enough to visit White Hill. White Hill is one of the few wind farms Meridian has in the South Island, producing enough power for approximately 22,000 homes.
I also worked at and visited Genesis Energy’s hydroelectric power stations, Tekapo A and B. They help provide hydroelectric energy, as well as control irrigation levels to allow the sustainable use of water for agriculture.
In the North Island, I toured Huntly Power Station and learnt about its methods of energy production. The station uses different methods to create energy, including coal and gas-fired steam turbines.
Although these aren’t renewable resources, Genesis has many sustainable action plans. These include limiting emissions through filtration and purification processes, extensively monitoring safety and waste management and following New Zealand’s national sustainability guidelines.
They monitor their carbon outputs daily and only produce energy when the grid is experiencing high demand.
New Zealand is very environmentally focused, as it has millions of hectares of stunning national parks worth protecting, such as Milford Sound and Mount Cook.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in New Zealand and learnt so much about renewable energy and its practices, which I hope to share back home in Australia.
Finn’s scholarship relates to these UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs):