Media Release Friday, 15 October 2010
“SOUTHLAND FARM TECHNOLOGY FIRM WINS NATIONAL CLEAN TECH CHALLENGE”
Southland Clean Tech Challenge winner to take his idea to the world
A special grant from Chevron will see local businessman Lindsay Lewis, owner of Clean Green Ltd – New Zealand’s most promising clean technology idea, travel to San Francisco in November.
Mr Lewis will represent New Zealand in the Chevron-sponsored Global Clean Tech Open Ideas Competition as part of the Global entrepreneurship Week, and compete to win $140,000 of prizes after winning the national competition, which was announced today (15 October 2010). His idea for a fully automated low application dairy effluent system which reduces dairy farmer water use by up to 60% was chosen as New Zealand’s best Clean Tech project.
The Southland Clean Tech Challenge, hosted by Venture Southland, is part of a global search for the most promising clean technology ideas. Ten regional competitions were held attracting a record number of entries, from which the national representative was chosen.
New Zealand inventors were challenged to submit their clean technology concepts for new products, accessories, communications campaigns and building designs. The criteria dictated designs were to be affordable and support great living with less reliance on resources.
“Last year, a New Zealand invention made the world finals, but we couldn’t afford to send the creator to the event. This year, thanks to a special grant from Chevron, we will be able to help the winner develop a professional presentation as well as providing flights and accommodation,” said competition organiser Rob Acton.
“But more than that, with the Chevron grant, we will also be able to produce a video of the most promising regional winners, which will be used to market them to investors and to promote clean technology innovation. We have some great entries with the potential to improve climate change outcomes for the whole world, and we can now get out and promote them, thanks to Chevron,” he said.
When told he had won the National Competition, along with $7000 of International travel and concept development scholarship Mr Lewis said “I’m still in shock. I believe I have designed the only environmentally friendly effluent system in the country and possibly the world. It’s nice to know that the Clean Tech judges can see the impact the Clean Green system will have on improving our dairy industry and environment.
The only way in which we can stop environmental pollution is through technology and improved agriculture practices; I hope regional councils and the industry continue to open their minds to new ways to attack an old problem.”
The Global Clean Tech Open Ideas Competition Final will be held in San Francisco on 17 November 2010.
