Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre now on solar power.
Daniela Ramirez is the Senior Climate Change Advisor at Nelson City Council and will be speaking at the Electrify Nelson event on the Saturday, 29 August. Daniela’s role is a really important part of Nelson City Council’s Climate Change Strategy, and she brings a wealth of expertise to support the Council’s electrification journey.
Daniela will talk to the Expo audience about the six Council facilities which have had solar power installed in them and how that process has gone, including how they are using batteries to manage energy optimisation. She will also talk about plans for public EV chargers and where those are planned to be located.
Daniela is keen to share her experiences of how people have switched to electric in their lives, so that it can help people who are still unsure about making this journey, for example when it comes to choosing electric vehicles.
“Someone told me recently they didn’t have an electric vehicle because they couldn’t afford one. A few years ago that may have been a fair perception, but the market has changed significantly. Today, you can find second-hand EVs starting from around $5,000 or $6,000. They may have shorter ranges, but for many people’s day-to-day travel needs they can be a practical and affordable option”.
Part of the reason we’re seeing more affordable EVs, says Daniela, is that government and business fleets have helped grow the market. As those fleets are renewed, more vehicles enter the second-hand market, creating opportunities for households that may not have considered an EV before.
“More broadly, electrification presents a huge opportunity for Nelson. As more households install solar panels and battery systems, people can generate and store their own energy, reduce their power bills, and make better use of electricity during peak pricing periods.”
Looking ahead, Daniela believes there are more exciting opportunities to come, such as vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home systems which could allow electric vehicles to act as mobile batteries, helping households maintain power during outages and supporting the electricity network when demand is high. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, these kinds of solutions could play an important role in improving community resilience.
Businesses that embrace electrification can reduce operating costs, improve energy security, demonstrate leadership, and position themselves at the forefront of what is an unstoppable transition.
For people who are still hesitant, Daniela’s advice is simple: you don’t need to do everything at once. Whether it’s your next vehicle, your next appliance or the installation of solar panels and batteries, take the time to consider the electric option.
“Every household and business will have different circumstances, but increasingly these technologies are proving to be practical, cost-effective, and beneficial in ways that go beyond reducing emissions”.
What Daniela hopes for visitors to Electrify Nelson on 29 August is that they come and see what’s possible, ask questions, and be open to challenging some of the myths that continue to hold people back. Electrification is moving quickly, and many of the barriers in the past no longer reflect today’s reality.
“Electrification is no longer just about reducing emissions. It’s increasingly about making smart choices that can benefit households, businesses, and our community”.
Daniela hopes people leave feeling informed, confident, and empowered to explore the options available to them. Whether someone is ready to purchase an electric vehicle, install solar panels, replace a gas appliance, or simply start learning more, there is value in taking the next step and demystifying some old beliefs.
“Most importantly, I hope people leave feeling informed, confident, and empowered to explore the options available to them, while also demystifying some of the common misconceptions that still exist around electrification”.
Electrify Nelson Expo takes place on Saturday 29 August at the Annesbrook Event Centre. Entry is free and visitors can explore stalls, expert speakers, live demonstrations, EV test drives and practical advice on everything from solar and batteries to home energy efficiency and electric transport. Nathan Clarke will be speaking as a part of the event.
