Geothermal Energy Looks To Contribute More

NEWS RELEASE, 18 JULY 2007

Geothermal Energy Looks To Contribute More

Geothermal energy looks set to contribute more electricity to the national grid thanks to research initiatives aimed at increasing production from New Zealand’s geothermal areas.

Geothermal energy currently contributes about 7 percent of New Zealand’s electrical energy generation. However, scientists believe it has the potential to increase to about 12 percent in the next eight years and could account for up to 20 percent of New Zealand’s electricity generation by 2020.

The Foundation for Research Science and Technology announced today it will invest $11.5 million over the next six years so GNS Science and The University of Auckland can investigate geothermal resources and make existing developments more efficient and reduce their environmental impact.

The joint programme will involve the two organisations working together. The research will be supported by significant co-funding from the geothermal energy industry.

New Zealand will benefit by having improved security of energy supply, increased energy from a resource that has low emission of greenhouse gases, and reduced environmental impacts of geothermal development.

GNS Science and The University of Auckland already work extensively with the geothermal energy sector. They will continue their close industry links throughout the research programme to enable easy uptake of the research.

The new programme, which will ramp up existing research, will focus on three main areas. It will investigate geothermal resources that are deeper and hotter than those currently tapped, it will work on methods to reduce environmental impacts, and it will address technical issues that are currently a barrier to improved efficiency and output.

Most existing developments tap into geothermal fluids of up to 320 degrees Celsius at depths of up to 3km. However, fluids at depths of 4km to 5km could be up to 400C. The geology and hydrology at these depths is not well understood and the technology of handling high temperatures needs further development. The research is aimed at improving the understanding of these deeper environments.

Research will also be aimed at reducing the impact of development, through better understanding of fluid injection, land deformation, and the effects on surface ecosystems.

“ There’s no doubt that geothermal has the potential to deliver up to 20 percent of New Zealand’s annual electricity supply,” said GNS Science Geothermal Programme Leader Ed Mroczek.

“ The way to achieve this is through production from greater depths, production from under-developed and undeveloped fields, better managing environmental effects, and improving the efficiency of geothermal technology,” Dr Mroczek said.

“We’re excited that we now have the opportunity to research some of these challenges.”

ENDS

Contact:

Dr Ed Mroczek, Geothermal Programme Leader, GNS Science, P: 07-374-8211
Brian Carey, Geothermal & Groundwater Manager, GNS Science, P: 07-374-8211
Professor Mike O’Sullivan, Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland, P: 09-373-7599, ext 88393
Dr Murray Grigor, Manager, Institute of Earth Science and Engineering, The University of Auckland, P: 09-373-7599, ext 86986
John Callan, Communications Manager, GNS Science, P: 04-570-1444, M: 027-440-2571

Note:
 The GNS Science and University of Auckland geothermal research teams represent a world-class capability. They have well established relationships with the New Zealand geothermal industry, iwi, territorial authorities, government agencies, and other research organisations. They also have strong links with geothermal industries and researchers in Japan, Iceland, Indonesia, USA, France, Australia, and Britain.

 If known and probable geothermal resources were fully developed, they would provide in excess of 20 percent of New Zealand’s electricity needs.

 Geothermal produces low greenhouse gas emissions compared to oil or gas and atmospheric emissions from geothermal plants average about 5 percent of the emissions from equivalent sized fossil fuel power plants.

- If we consider a 1.5 percent annual increase in electricity demand until 2020, 40 percent of this extra power need could be produced from known geothermal resources.

- Making more use of geothermal puts New Zealand in a better position in terms of carbon credits and the Kyoto Protocol.

- If greater depths and higher temperatures are thoroughly researched, scientists expect that the available amount of geothermal energy will significantly increase.

- With geothermal, there is no fuel required other than the renewable heat from the Earth’s crust and mantle

- Geothermal is renewable energy that is independent of climate and provides reliable base load generation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

ENDS

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