Renewable Energy
Resources in New
Zealand
The Teacher Fellowship Scheme
• The New Zealand Sciences,
Mathematics and Technology
Teacher Fellowship Scheme
is administered by the Royal
Society of New Zealand for
the Ministry of Research
Science and Technology. The
Scheme is open to fully
qualified and registered
practicing primary,
intermediate and secondary
teachers whose work can be
related to science,
mathematics, social sciences
and technology.
The Scheme aims to encourage teachers to:
• enhance their understanding of and positive attitudes
towards science, mathematics, social sciences and
technology.
• develop both personally and professionally
• enhance their awareness and understanding of the
applications of science, mathematics, social sciences and
technology in enterprise to produce valuable products and
services
• enhance their awareness and understanding of careers
involving science, mathematics, social sciences and
technology
• promote career options in these areas to their students
• share their enhanced knowledge and positive attitudes to
science, mathematics, social sciences and technology with
colleagues, students and others in the general community
Overview
• About 30% of New Zealand’s Primary
Energy is from Renewable Resources.
• Electricity Generation from Hydro
accounts for over 70% of Renewable
Energy use.
• For the foreseeable future, Electrical
generation is the most significant area for
growth in Renewable Energy
Renewable Consumer Energy Use in NZ
Source: Renewable Energy Industry Status Report-3rd Edition, EECA
Types of Renewable Energy and their uses.
Hydro
Potential Growth of Hydro
• Over 60% of the 755MW high probability
potential growth in Hydro generation is in the
South Island most of which is in Canterbury
• The industry is well developed and new
technologies are opening up previously
uneconomic resources.
• There is plenty of potential for small, local
generation schemes, possibly involving
irrigation.
• Irrigation has caused a shift in electrical
distribution
• Consenting issues are the major hurdle.
Existing and
Potential
Hydro Sites
In Canterbury
Animation created by Leanan
Wind Energy
Current Windfarms
Wind Issues
• What happens when the wind doesn’t
blow?
• Noise
• Aesthetics
• Geographical spread
Geothermal
North Island Geothermal Resources
South Island Geothermal
Resources
Geothermal Energy Issues
• The Industry is mature and in 50 years no
resource has been extensively depleted.
• Provides a very consistent base load at
lower cost than most hydro schemes.
• Combined Electrical and Heat generation
makes synergies with other industries.
• Possibility of Mineral extraction
• There is estimated to be 2000-3500MW of
untapped resource (largely on Maori land)
• Subsidence
Bioenergy
•
Energy from Biological Sources can be
separated into main areas:
1. Woody Biomass
2. Municipal/ Food Processing/
Agricultural Residues
3. Transport Biofuels
Geographic
Distribution
of Forestry
Resource
• Currently, 75% of the woody biomass resource
is waste wood burnt to provide energy for wood
treatment but there is a small amount of
electrical generation.
• Firewood amounts for 25%
• Short rotation coppicing could provide fuel for
electrical generation or pellet fires, especially in
combination with effluent disposal on forest floor.
• Transport costs impact heavily on economics
• Carbon Credits?
Energy from Municipal Waste
• Christchurch, Auckland and
Hamilton currently generate
12MW of electricity from the
methane from sewage
digestion.
• Collection of landfill gases is now mandatory although
new designs will be required to make utilisation of these
gases economic. The quality and reliability of gas supply
creates problems
• Burning Organic waste is possible but uneconomic at
present and is likely to remain so with waste reduction
policies
Agricultural Effluent
• Tallow from meat work waste could provide up to
5% of New Zealand's Diesel needs.
• Tallow is being accepted as an input to NZ
refinery.
• Bioethanol is currently produced from whey but
this will meet less than 0.5% of NZ transport
needs.
• Small scale digesters could produce local energy
but the biggest advantages are in waste
reduction. Handling costs are significant.
• Cropping specifically for fuels is unlikely in NZ but
research is being done into cellulose based
biofuels?
Biogas as a transport fuel?
Solar Energy
Four ways of using solar energy.
Solar Hot Water Heating
Passive Solar Heating
Photovoltaic
High Temperature Solar Steam Plant
http://www.
niwascienc
e.co.nz/edu
/resources/
climate/radi
ation/
Wave and Tidal Energy
Wave and Tidal Energy
Wave Energy
• This is a huge untapped source of energy
• The first commercial wave energy plant is
currently being developed in Portugal using
Pelamis, a UK device
• New Zealand has one of the best wave energy
resources in the world with averages of up to 50kW per
metre.
• It is a reasonably predictable resource
• Resource is not normally near to grid
• Getting power ashore is difficult but NZ has expertise in
harsh marine environments.
• It is a very difficult and damaging environment
• Wave power may be an ideal source for remote costal
settlements
• IRL are currently building a prototype wave generator.
• Resource consent issues have yet to be addressed.
• Australia has a shore based prototype working at Port
Kembla.
Tidal power
• NZ’s small 2-3m tidal range limits this form of
generation however some sites, e.g. Cook
Strait have significant tidal flows. At least one
New Zealand company is exploring the
possibility of placing turbines in the Strait.
• Tidal barrages or impoundment are unlikely to
be economic or environmentally sustainable
Kaipara Harbour' by Sarah McBeath
Kaipara Harbour Tidal Scheme
Resource consent has been lodged for a
200 turbine, 200MW scheme in the mouth
of the Kaipara Harbour.
Storage of Energy
•
•
•
•
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
High Temperature Thermal Storage
Fly Wheel
Battery
Resources
EECA:
www.eeca.govt.nz/renewable-energy/index.html
NZ Wind Energy Association (NZWEA):
www.windenergy.org.nz
Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association (AWATEA):
www.awatea.org.nz
Solar Industries Association (SIA):
www.solarindustries.org.nz
Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ):
www.bioenergy.org.nz
New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA):
www.nzgeothermal.org.nz
International Hydropower Association (NZ)