Latest news with #ElectrifyQueenstown
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Congestion-busting contenders
Doppelmayr NZ's Garreth Hayman. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLER Two fully electric aerial transportation system providers pitched themselves as solutions to Queenstown's chronic traffic congestion problems at this week's Electrify Queenstown event. They're Queenstown Cable Car, which could ferry up to 3000 passengers an hour, in both directions, between the CBD and the airport via Queenstown Hill and Frankton. The other's Whoosh's 'Uber in the sky' which is about to be demo-ed at Remarkables Park. Doppelmayr NZ CEO Garreth Hayman, who's working with local tech entrepreneur Rod Drury and former Infrastructure Commission chief executive Ross Copland, says "the big difference is we are a mass transit solution versus they are an equivalent of an Uber, if you like, in terms of calling up a taxi". "They will probably feed into the gondola system, it would make sense for them to do that, and it's just like the [public] bus [network] is feeding into the system well." However, Whoosh chief executive Dr Chris Allington tells Scene their system has many advantages over a gondola system. It could disperse its users across a greater number of smaller stations, avoiding likely queues at peak times with the gondola system's fewer, larger stations, he says. Its modular system allowed it to be expanded as demand required. "You're no longer stuck with straight lines and a limited number of stops."
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
'Uber in the sky' demo on way in Queenstown
Christchurch company Whoosh will start building a 2km demo of its "Uber in the sky" transportation system in Queenstown's Remarkables Park within weeks. Whoosh chief executive Dr Chris Allington said it would begin operating as soon as the middle of next year, and more information would be released soon. "Within the next few weeks, we'll be cutting ribbons and starting to dig holes." He told an audience at the Electrify Queenstown trade show yesterday the on-demand system, which moves fully-electric, self-driving cabins around an elevated cable network, could solve the resort town's traffic congestion issues. The company unveiled a working prototype at its Christchurch base last September after six years of development. The demo system, which was being jointly funded by Whoosh and Remarkables Park Ltd, would have all its key features including cabins for four or five people, stations and an app. It would give residents the opportunity to experience it and provide feedback. "We'll then make it better, and hopefully we can work with the team and deliver something down here." The company had mapped out a 50-station network that linked the resort's town centre to Frankton and the eastern and southern suburbs. It already had projects under way in the United States and the first, in a 485ha park in the city of Irvine, California, was expected to be operating by the end of next year. It was also working on projects in Japan and the Middle East. Dr Allington said a Whoosh system had many advantages over a gondola system. It could disperse its users across a greater number of smaller stations, avoiding the queues likely at peak commuter times with a gondola system's fewer, larger stations. Its modular nature allowed it to be expanded as demand required. "You can form three-dimensional networks in your cities which fit in the existing urban spaces. "You're no longer stuck with straight lines and a limited number of stops." Whoosh was not the only mass transportation system being touted for Queenstown yesterday, which also featured a talk by Doppelmayr New Zealand chief executive Garreth Hayman. Doppelmayr NZ is working with tech entrepreneur Rod Drury and former Infrastructure Commission chief executive Ross Copland on a gondola system designed to move 3000 people an hour. The first stage, estimated to cost $250m, would run from the town centre up to a Queenstown Hill station, along to a Lake Johnson station, down to the Frankton bus hub, then on to the airport. Part of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago district councils' regional deal submission, the plan's backers hope to have it operating by late 2028. Dr Allington told the Otago Daily Times a gondola "solves one problem, but not every problem", and could co-exist with Whoosh. If a Whoosh system was wanted for Queenstown, his company would be "very happy" to build one. "If not, we've got plenty of projects to keep us busy."
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Transport demo to take to skies
Christchurch company Whoosh will start building a 2km demo of its "Uber in the sky" transportation system in Queenstown's Remarkables Park within weeks. Whoosh chief executive Dr Chris Allington said it would begin operating as soon as the middle of next year, and more information would be released soon. "Within the next few weeks, we'll be cutting ribbons and starting to dig holes." He told an audience at the Electrify Queenstown trade show yesterday the on-demand system, which moves fully-electric, self-driving cabins around an elevated cable network, could solve the resort town's traffic congestion issues. The company unveiled a working prototype at its Christchurch base last September after six years of development. The demo system, which was being jointly funded by Whoosh and Remarkables Park Ltd, would have all its key features including cabins for four or five people, stations and an app. It would give residents the opportunity to experience it and provide feedback. "We'll then make it better, and hopefully we can work with the team and deliver something down here." The company had mapped out a 50-station network that linked the resort's town centre to Frankton and the eastern and southern suburbs. It already had projects under way in the United States and the first, in a 485ha park in the city of Irvine, California, was expected to be operating by the end of next year. It was also working on projects in Japan and the Middle East. Dr Allington said a Whoosh system had many advantages over a gondola system. It could disperse its users across a greater number of smaller stations, avoiding the queues likely at peak commuter times with a gondola system's fewer, larger stations. Its modular nature allowed it to be expanded as demand required. "You can form three-dimensional networks in your cities which fit in the existing urban spaces. "You're no longer stuck with straight lines and a limited number of stops." Whoosh was not the only mass transportation system being touted for Queenstown yesterday, which also featured a talk by Doppelmayr New Zealand chief executive Garreth Hayman. Doppelmayr NZ is working with tech entrepreneur Rod Drury and former Infrastructure Commission chief executive Ross Copland on a gondola system designed to move 3000 people an hour. The first stage, estimated to cost $250m, would run from the town centre up to a Queenstown Hill station, along to a Lake Johnson station, down to the Frankton bus hub, then on to the airport. Part of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago district councils' regional deal submission, the plan's backers hope to have it operating by late 2028. Dr Allington told the Otago Daily Times a gondola "solves one problem, but not every problem", and could co-exist with Whoosh. If a Whoosh system was wanted for Queenstown, his company would be "very happy" to build one. "If not, we've got plenty of projects to keep us busy."
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Tech entrepreneur calls for electricity sector shakeup
Rod Drury. PHOTO: ODT FILES Tech entrepreneur Rod Drury has put a radical reform of New Zealand's electricity sector at the centre of an impassioned call for a "national vision". Speaking to a packed audience on the opening day of the Electrify Queenstown conference yesterday, the Xero founder lamented the country's lack of ambition and continuing brain drain. He had spent a lot of time in the past few years thinking about how the country could develop a sustainable competitive advantage in something. "For me, the answer was really easy — renewable electricity. It could be our version of Saudi Arabian oil." He was advocating for the separation of infrastructure from retail services in the electricity sector in the same way that Telecom was split into Chorus and Spark more than a decade ago. "At the moment, we have vertically-integrated power companies trying to do both infrastructure and retail. "That model just doesn't support long-term infrastructure investment. "Let's do what we did with telecommunications — separate the generation and transmission assets into a dedicated infrastructure entity." The government had shown foresight to build massive hydro-electric schemes decades ago, which meant 88% of the country's electricity was generated from renewable sources. However, New Zealand only had six weeks' energy storage, creating a scarcity factor that led to "really high" electricity prices. Building infrastructure for six months' storage would give New Zealand "energy sovereignty". Although a difficult decision would have to be made on the "least worst place to put it", the alternative was the country's continuing dependence on the global supply chain for coal. Mr Drury said he was "road-testing" his ideas for electricity sector reform, including speaking to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about it recently. "Our goal could be to have the lowest-priced renewable energy in the world." The three-day Electrify Queenstown event is aimed at helping businesses and households electrify, decarbonise and reduce their energy bills. It continues today with an exhibition and trade show at the Queenstown Events Centre and ends tomorrow with a day of field trips to local energy projects.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Energised Crowd Plugs In At Electrify Queenstown 2025
Press Release – Destination Queenstown Within a week of tickets going live the opening day event was fully subscribed, highlighting strong community interest in electrification and innovation across the Queenstown Lakes District. More than 200 attendees have gathered at Skyline Queenstown, as Electrify Queenstown 2025 launches today. The three-day programme helps businesses and households explore practical ways to reduce energy bills, electrify, and decarbonise. Within a week of tickets going live the opening day event was fully subscribed, highlighting strong community interest in electrification and innovation across the Queenstown Lakes District. Industry leaders and global experts will take the stage, including keynote speaker Dr Saul Griffith, inventor, internationally acclaimed author of ' Electrify ', and chief scientist at multiple organisations working on climate action and clean energy research. Commenting on the importance of the event, Dr Griffith said: 'With the U.S taking a sabbatical from climate action, the world needs climate leadership. 'New Zealand and Australia — two countries where electrification has crossed the economic tipping point — have a generational opportunity to deliver community-led electrification that will pave the way for the world to follow on effective climate action. 'What better place than Queenstown to showcase the benefits of an electrified future,' Dr Griffith said. Powered by principal sponsor, Aurora Energy for a second year, Electrify Queenstown brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators and business leaders to share opportunities to create a more resilient and sustainable future. Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, says the region is proud to host such a future focused event. 'Electrify Queenstown will showcase leading electric innovations and practical solutions to empower both households and businesses to take steps toward a more energy-efficient, low-emissions future, often with significant cost savings. 'Whether you're exploring electric transport, improving energy use at home, or finding ways to cut business operating costs, there will be something for everyone,' Mat said. The momentum continues Tuesday 27 May, with over 300 people expected at the Queenstown Event Centre for an exhibition and tradeshow. The expo is free to attend, with more than 40 exhibitors across solar energy, home heating, cooking and insulation, EV's and charging facilities, and banks offering low-interest green loans. Attendees have the chance to test-drive seven of the latest electric vehicles, explore electric boats and e-bikes, and experience virtual reality transport technology. Electrify Queenstown will wrap up on Wednesday 28 May with an electric experience from Queenstown Marina to Forest Lodge Orchard at Mt Pisa. Queenstown Marina is home to New Zealand's first publicly accessible electric boat charging infrastructure, while Forest Lodge is the world's first 100% electric cherry orchard. Guests will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of this pioneering farm. Electrify Queenstown supports the region's ambition for regenerative tourism by 2030, underpinned by the keystone project to achieve a carbon zero visitor economy.
