| Title | Driving the Uptake of Geothermal Direct Use in New Zealand: Successful Strategies, Empowered Champions, and Lessons Learnt Along the Way |
|---|---|
| Authors | Melissa CLIMO, Andrea BLAIR, Brian CAREY, Simon BENDALL, Stephen DAYSH |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | New Zealand, geothermal direct use, strategy, regional development, economic development, employment, Geoheat Strategy for Aotearoa, Geoheat Action Plan |
| Abstract | New Zealand is on a positive trajectory, increasing the direct use of geothermal energy. The deliberate and coordinated efforts of a passionate group of geothermal advocates is providing a driving force for this growth. The past decade in New Zealand has seen new geothermal direct use developments establish, including timber processing and drying, glasshouses, minerals extraction and milk drying. There has also been some reduction in use such as with the closure of some operations at the Norske Skog Tasman pulp and paper mill at Kawerau in January 2013. The geothermal industry, government, MÄori, researchers and communities are aligned; geothermal direct use has significant potential to drive economic development and create jobs from this low-carbon energy source. New development could be stimulated as the geothermal energy available for direct heat use continues to far outweigh demand for uptake. A step-change in New Zealand’s approach to increasing geothermal direct use was needed. Led by GNS Science, a group of geothermal advocates set out to achieve this change. Our goals were to create a sense of shared responsibility for mutual benefit, integrating sectors, organisations, and disciplines. Future growth would be underpinned by sustainability principles with an initial focus on commercial and industrial scale use from the higher temperature Central North Island geothermal resources. A vehicle for achieving those goals is the Geoheat Strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand 2017-2030, which is a cross sector initiative fostering the direct use of geothermal energy. This industry-owned, and New Zealand Geothermal Association-led, strategy complements and aligns with the goals and aspirations of central, regional and local government energy and economic development strategies. Funding was secured to support a dedicated Geothermal Business Development Lead to drive prioritised actions. Volunteers formed an Action Group and are coordinated and empowered to act. This paper discusses the development and implementation of initiatives that are strategically driving growth in direct geothermal use in New Zealand. We share our journey, ideas, successes and lessons learned. |