News & blog hub

Clarus is committed to pursuing clean energy solutions to help New Zealand reach net zero carbon by 2050. This hub provides information, updates and our latest developments as we look to the future of renewable gas.

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Opinion piece: Gas is here to stay

It’s a confusing time for energy consumers, especially those using gas. We are told on the one hand that our country needs to go 100% electric and that our gas supplies are dwindling. Yet gas remains critical to supporting our country’s variable renewable electricity generation sources – a point that was made crystal clear with the threat of power shortages on the coldest day of the year so far.

77 results found here
  • 20220815 101921
    • Natural gas
    • Blog

    SELMA technology helping to protect the Firstgas distribution network

    Firstgas, a Clarus company, is working with Omexon to better detect possible methane (natural gas) leaks early, on the Firstgas distribution network, using Street Evaluating Laser Methane Assessment (SELMA) vehicles.

  • STR 3729 E HERO
    • Media releases

    Resilience and community connectedness at the heart of Firstlight Network

    When George Drysdale turned up at Firstlight Network in early 2024 to take up the role of Manager, he was immediately impressed with the unique connection the electricity distribution network had with the Gisborne, Tairawhiti and Wairoa communities. 

  • Hydrogen Blending Pilot LOWRES
    • Media releases

    Key milestone reached in NZ’s first hydrogen blending project

    Firstgas is one step closer to commencing New Zealand’s first Hydrogen Blending Pilot with WorkSafe granting two exemptions to Firstgas to enable the project to move forward.

  • Family cooking pancakes on gas hob lowres
    • renewable gas
    • Blog

    Cooking with renewable gas in the future

    It’s a confusing time for energy consumers, especially those using gas. There are some opinions out there that New Zealand needs to go 100% electric and that for various reasons our gas supplies are dwindling. However, gas remains critical to supporting our country’s variable renewable electricity supply.

  • Inside ZEVAC for web
    • Blog

    ZEVAC technology helping reduce carbon emissions

    As part of Clarus' ongoing work to reduce our carbon emissions, two ZEVAC machines are used by our Firstgas transmission and distribution teams to capture gas, compress it and then recycle it back into the pipeline which is estimated to save up to 35 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

  • Arial view of Ahuroa
    • Hydogen
    • Blog

    Energy storage – the essential ingredient to electrification

    James Irvine our GM Future Fuels explains why energy storage is the essential ingredient to electrification, and how hydrogen is the most cost-effective solution for long-term energy storage to support growing renewable generation.

  • James Irvine

    James Irvine: Focused on the toughest emissions problems

    What brings an international leader in renewable energy to move from Europe to New Plymouth? For James Irvine and his family, it was a combination of an appealing job offer, the opportunity to meaningfully fight climate change, and the fabulous Taranaki lifestyle.

  • iStock 1426839716
    • Renewable Energy
    • Blog

    From food scraps to renewable energy – how does it work?

    How do you turn kumara peel and banana skins into renewable energy and bio fertiliser? Here’s how kerbside food waste is collected in Auckland, processed at Ecogas’ organics processing facility in Reporoa, and then turned into renewable gas once processed through First Renewables biogas upgrade facility at the same site.

  • iStock 1396824161 resize
    • Biomethane
    • Blog

    Europe's big push for reliable, popular energy

    The European Union is pushing hard to increase its production of biomethane – but why the urgency? And why is biomethane the right choice to help tackle the problem?

  • Novo Cube Insitu 2 updated lowres
    • Blog

    Gas fires: the timeless appeal of flames with modern control and convenience

    Warmth, light, and beautiful aesthetics – humans have been gathering around fires for over a million years. Despite all the alternatives, we’re still choosing to install fires in our newest homes to this day.

  • Content 4
    • Renewable Energy
    • Blog

    Renewable gas myths busted: Why Hydrogen and biomethane are important to decarbonisation.

    When it comes to renewable gases – like biogas, biomethane and green hydrogen – there are plenty of opinions flying around. It’s time to bust a few myths about renewable gas, so here are our top five:

  • iStock 1413803569 lowres
    • Blog

    Green Hydrogen's Path to Cleaner Manufacturing

    Tackling New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions is a team effort – everyone has a part to play. Households, businesses and government must find ways to reduce emissions so we can reach net zero carbon by 2050.

  • i9RuAz c lowresvivid

    Firstlight Network keeps communities connected

    It’s been an incredibly busy 18 months the Firstlight Network team as they weathered multiple severe weather events in 2023, carried on business as usual, and were welcomed into the Clarus team – changing their name and embedding new systems along the way.

  • iStock 1134616883 V2
    • Blog

    New e-bike scheme at Clarus is creating good energy on the ride to work

    Over the past couple of months Clarus has seen a steady number of its employees ditch their cars on some days, and instead opt for an e-bike as their transport of choice to get them to the office. The latest initiative that has the Clarus team buzzing with excitement is the adoption of Workride, a scheme designed to foster healthier commuting habits among employees.

  • RG Canstar SS
    • Media releases

    Rockgas part of Clarus is the winner of Canstar Blue’s 2024 Award for Most Satisfied Customers | Bottled Gas

    June 20, 2024: Bottled gas is a versatile and affordable way to heat a home or fuel a kitchen, wherever you live in New Zealand. And if you use bottled gas in your home, it’s essential that your supply is not only reliable, but delivers great value for money, too.

  • Kaitoke compressor upgrade with Ian and Gary V3
    • Blog

    Kaitoke Compressor upgrade to improve network resilience

    The Firstgas Kaitoke Compressor site is being prepared for the arrival of two new state-of-the-art compressors in early 2025. Kaitoke is a key site for the supply of natural gas throughout the lower North Island. Its existing 40-year-old compressor set-up isn’t enough to meet ongoing demand – especially on cold winter nights when gas usage peaks.