The Transport Fuels Summit brings together influencers and representatives from transport sectors, the fuels industry, government and the scientific community involved in new developments.
The transport sector is said to be responsible for around 20 percent of the country’s carbon emissions. In his keynote speech at the New Zealand Transport Fuels Summit Patrick Hartley, from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, will examine the alternatives to oil – specifically coal-to-liquids, natural gas, and biofuels.
As the CSIRO's director of research for oil, gas and fuels, he will discuss the latest fuel technology developments and the international market drivers behind them.
Hartley, who holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from London’s Imperial College, is among a range of fuel and transport specialists who will speak at the two-day event in Auckland. Key themes include fuel prices and risk management, security of fuel supply, fuel efficiency and engine and fuel technology trends, summit organiser Neil Wembridge says.
He says the timing of the event is appropriate given the increasing rate of change in transport.
“Fuel technologies are maturing with better fuels being developed – there are advances in diesel and petrol and more biofuels are in the pipeline. There are also technology shifts with electric vehicles and around the efficiencies being gained in modern internal combustion engines.”
Industry development
The summit is being run by Freeman Media, publisher of Energy News, and Conferenz. The agenda has been developed with a range of transport sector and fuel industry partners including Refining NZ, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Methanex, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Fonterra, Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Defence Force.
“We have had a robust industry-based advisory panel which has had input into the programme ensuring we cover the biggest issues facing the sector today,” Wembridge says.
Confirmed speakers and panellists come from across the transport sector, from fuel producers and retailers to large users. The event's exhibition space has also been well supported and will showcase a number of the latest technologies available.
“We also have the Automobile Association involved, bringing a consumer advocacy point of view,” Wembridge says.
A panel comprising of representatives from Mighty River Power, Northpower, APEV and Mitsubishi will discuss “Electric vehicles in New Zealand: a new wave of uptake”.
Refining NZ chief executive Sjoerd Post will give a keynote presentation on the future possibilities facing Marsden Point. He will look at the current domestic fuel mix and possible future scenarios, international developments and their influence on the New Zealand market and the role of Refining NZ’s infrastructure and transportation assets portfolio.
Day two’s programme includes a panel discussion on how transport fleet efficiency and fuel conservation can improve company profitability.
The panel, which will include representatives from EECA, Ritchies Coachlines, Express Couriers and Fonterra, will discuss what the future opportunities for the New Zealand transport fuel sector are. This will include how combining telematics with efficient engine technologies and smart logistics can generate further cost savings for businesses.
More programme and registration details are available at http://www.fuels.co.nz.
