| Title | 2005 – 2010 New Zealand Country Update |
|---|---|
| Authors | Colin C. Harvey, Brian R. White, James V. Lawless and Michael G. Dunstall |
| Year | 2010 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | geothermal energy, New Zealand, electricity generation, direct use, development |
| Abstract | New Zealand is now entering a new and exciting era of geothermal development. Historically, in the 1950’s and 60’s New Zealand led the world in the research and development of water-dominated geothermal systems. In the latter part of the 20th century the pace of development diminished in large part due to the discovery in New Zealand of the large and low cost Maui gas field which provided an alternative source of energy. With forthcoming depletion of the Maui gas field, few available New Zealand hydro alternatives, commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, and availability of premium geothermal resources, New Zealand is once again recognizing the importance and value of geothermal energy to our national balance of electricity generation and direct use. Currently New Zealand’s geothermal power station capacity of 600 MWe generates 10% of total generation, and expansion plans for generation from known fields at standard depths are currently underway to increase this to perhaps 15% of total generation, or even higher. Direct use has been of a similar magnitude to electricity generation in terms of consumer energy, and will continue to grow but at a lesser rate than electricity generation. To fully utilize our geothermal resources it is essential that we manage the known resources in an environmentally sustainable way. We also need to look afresh at alternatives including deep or lower temperature resources. There also may be yet-to-be discovered resources (with no surface expressions) in the Taupo Volcanic Zone or at greater depths beneath known fields. After low investment, there is now some growth in research funding, strong participation in research by industry partners, and the reinstatement of a geothermal training course at the University of Auckland. |