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NEWS RELEASE Re-using and up-cycling as GLOBUG units get a second life 29 June 2017 – When a once-innovative piece of technology is no longer able to be used, it can present an opportunity. Mercury has worked with NIWA and community groups to re-use and up-cycle the company’s GLOBUG display units that will go off-line tomorrow (30 June) when Spark retires the paging network they run on. The units, about the size of a grapefruit, are used by some GLOBUG customers to monitor their prepay electricity account. Mercury has been working hard to make sure all GLOBUG customers are aware of the change, and ready to connect to GLOBUG using their phones or other online tools, which provide more features and functionality direct without the need for other hardware. “We found ourselves with a stockpile of this high-quality technology that is no longer able to be used by our customers,” said Kevin Angland, General Manager Digital Services. “When the units were built they were an innovation in themselves. With the network going off-line we could see opportunities for community groups and schools to up-cycle these units into something completely different, and we’ve been delighted to see how different groups have used these units in some really wonderful ways.” One group who took up the free offer was NIWA’s air quality scientists. NIWA uses a device it developed for measuring and monitoring indoor air quality. However, the units were due for an upgrade. Air quality scientist Gustavo Olivares said the device had a fairly rudimentary casing with sharp edges and corners that needed to be made child-friendly. “We are undertaking more and more air quality monitoring in schools and homes but the units we use for this research were not that suitable for these environments. When I found out that the GLOBUGs were looking for a new use I realised they would be perfect for what we need. “We found that the robust, smooth casing of the units was perfect to hold and protect our sensors. We are delighted to be able to repurpose something for our use and we will be distributing them over the next couple of months,” Mr Olivares said. The units are also being used by community makerspaces (where people gather to create, invent, and learn with new technologies) to teach workshops on hardware modification. The units consist of a well-designed casing, power supply cable, LED, rechargeable battery, chip and circuit board. Community groups and schools who would like further information or to be sent a class set of the units to up-cycle should contact Andrew.Dixon@mercury.co.nz. Customers who have a GLOBUG unit in their home should make sure they’re ready to connect via mobile app, web or free text messages by calling 0800 773 729.
For further information: Craig Dowling 0272 105 337 ABOUT MERCURY NZ LIMITED At Mercury we’re thinking boldly about the possibilities with energy and inspiring New Zealanders with our renewable electricity and ideas to make energy more wonderful. Energy from Mercury’s hydro and geothermal stations will power a brighter future for our country. Visit us at: www.mercury.co.nz