With New Zealand’s national energy grid operating on at least 80 per cent renewal energy, the new battery power solution will bring down carbon emissions at events, while also operating silently, unlike a traditional generator.
NRG Event Batteries was founded by Hamish Roberge, who is also managing director of TomTom Productions. The new power product came about through looking at the AV company’s carbon emissions and where they came from – diesel generation and the logistics of this kind of power were identified as a significant contributor.
After not being able to find an existing battery alternative that worked for live events, Roberge developed a new kind of battery, designed specifically to operate out of an event road-case.
“For years, events in Queenstown – even the most premium ones – have relied on diesel generators that were never designed for this environment,” said Roberge.
“The noise, the fumes and fuel burning continuously whether you needed it or not.
“We built NRG to change that – it’s silent, clean and engineered for exactly what events need.”
NRG Event Batteries is backed by TomTom Productions, with each event use including load analysis, show advancing and remote monitoring by the production company.
“It’s exciting to see a trusted, local supplier in our industry lead the way in finding innovative solutions,” said Sarah McDonald, general manager of Queenstown based incentive agency Roam DMC.
“While requests for cleaner, greener events are still coming in softly from clients, being able to offer a solution up front with NRG is going to change the game in those conversations.”
Destination Queenstown CEO, Mat Woods, also praised the local innovation.
“Queenstown’s economy depends on events and tourism, and reducing impact takes more than good intentions – it takes practical changes in how we operate.
“Swapping diesel generators for silent, grid-charged battery power is the kind of behind-the-scenes improvement that helps protect the place people come here to enjoy, and it’s especially relevant for business events where experience and sustainability expectations keep rising.”
NRG’s event batteries are already available for use across New Zealand’s South Island, with intentions to expand availability nationally.
