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N E W S FIELDAYS AWARD FOR ARTIFICIAL POLLINATOR Pollen Smart, an artificial pollinator for kiwifruit, was devised by Opotiki orchardist David Horwood who was fed up with existing devices that didn’t do the job he wanted. It recently won the Launch NZ Innovation award at Fieldays. Mr Horwood took his concept in 2014 to Whakatane-based engineering company The Wrangler Limited. Pollen Smart boosts artificial pollen rates in kiwifruit orchards by repeatedly blowing pollen into the orchard’s canopy rather than just once. BUCKLEY SYSTEMS ENCOURAGES MORE APPRENTICES Buckley Systems is challenging New Zealand’s manufacturing industry to support larger numbers of apprentices. The company is expanding its number of apprentices from 11 to 20 by the middle of next year. “We want to encourage other industries to get in and support NZ to the same extent,” says Sandra De Kock, Buckley System’s head of people development and culture. “NZ Industry needs people with more practical experience and knowledge,” she says. ENGINEERING SMARTER MEDICAL SENSORS Engineers at the University of Canterbury are working with St George’s Hospital and the Canterbury District Health Board to speed up sepsis detection in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). By modifying existing technology and using it in a new way, University of Canterbury (UC) bioengineers have been able to pick up an additional oxygen saturation reading that could provide an early indication of sepsis. Mechanical engineer Dr Chris Pretty, from UC’s College of Engineering, says existing non-invasive sensor technology has been repurposed to pick up the venous oxygen saturation signal, normally obtained via invasive blood sampling. FUNDING FOR NEW POWER CONDITIONER Funding from KiwiNet and the University of Waikato of $285,000 will allow electronics engineer Associate Professor Nihal Kularatna to develop a new version of a power conditioner for Perth’s Thor Technologies Pty Ltd. “A power conditioner is a device that evens out fluctuations in voltage,” says Dr Kularatna. “In New Zealand, our voltage is 230 plus or minus six percent. If there are surges or sags in voltage, these can damage products that rely on electricity, such as computers.” NAVAL ENGINEER TO SPEAK AT SCIENCE FESTIVAL A naval architect for the UK’s Ministry of Defence will join this year’s New Zealand International Science Festival in July. Lucy Collins will join this year’s panel of international and local guests at the 10th biennial Festival – held in Dunedin from July 8-16 – delivering a public talk on her unique science career and what inspires her. “I’m a naval architect, an engineer who designs, builds and maintains anything that floats. The maritime environment is critical to our society – 90 percent of all world trade is transported by sea for example – so ship design is really important,” Ms Collins says. 10 July 2016 Maui pipeline acquired Rolling out future auto engineering Rolls Royce’s Vision Next 100 (code named 103EX) has done exactly what a concept car is meant to do and push the boundaries beyond belief. The luxury automotive brand now has its first-ever pure concept in its 105-year history in the form of a fully autonomous (self-driven) vehicle that has more of a fine home living feel than any driving experience. For its first 50 years, Rolls-Royce was inextricably linked to the coachbuilders of the day, but as the passage of time and technology marched on, the brand would eventually join The acquisition of the Māui Pipeline by First Gas Limited has been completed following all necessary regulatory and government approvals. In late 2015, First State Funds, the owner of First Gas Limited, agreed to acquire the Māui Pipeline from Shell , Todd and OMV (collectively known as the Māui Mining Companies) for NZ$335 million. The Māui Pipeline is New Zealand’s largest high pressure transmission pipeline running from the Oaonui Production Station south of New Plymouth to the Huntly Power Station south of Auckland. The 307km pipeline will be operated by First Gas, which also operates the former gas transmission and distribution network owned by Vector Gas Limited (VGL) following First State Funds’ recent purchase of VGL from Vector Limited. The Māui Pipeline was built exclusively for delivering gas from the Māui natural gas field in the 1970s.  The pipeline has transported gas from multiple gas fields since an open access regime was established in 2005, creating a successful standalone pipeline business. Today, the Māui Pipeline is a significant energy infrastructure asset transporting around 78% of all natural gas produced in New Zealand, says First Gas interim ceo, Richard Krogh. “In purchasing the Māui Pipeline in addition to the VGL gas network, First Gas will own and operate New Zealand’s most significant gas transmission and distribution network,” Mr Krogh says. The combined network will comprise of 2,500kms of high pressure gas transmission pipelines and stations that supply natural gas from Taranaki to industrial consumers throughout the North Island, as well as 4,800kms of distribution pipelines in Northland, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, the Central Plateau and the Kapiti Coast servicing more than 60,000 end customers. First Gas is currently the System Operator and Technical Operator of the Māui Pipeline. It will also take on the role of Commercial Operator following the acquisition. “With the commercial operation staff and facilities being engaged by First Gas, the company will continue to build on an experienced team operating a vital energy infrastructure asset for New Zealand,” Mr Krogh says. Kennards Hire key account manager Brendon Powley with the gift basket he won when visiting Engineering News’ stand at EMEX 2016 Check out Rolls Royce's promo video in the digital edition of


EN-Jul16
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