Power, Politics and People Problems and Solutions - Long Term Use of Geothermal Resources

Abstract

Distinguished guests, International and New Zealand workshop delegates. I've been asked to speak at this New Zealand Geothermal Workshop because the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station with which I am involved has used geothermal energy over a long period of time. Wairakei is a candidate for inclusion at this workshop with a theme of the long term use of Geothermal Resources. The 35th anniversary of power generation from the Wairakei Station occurs in just a few days. The first high pressure turbine generator at Wairakei was to the North Island grid on the November 1958.

In this address I want to on both the past and the future. The long term use of geothermal energy requires that the future be kept in mind and that the past be used to assist with our future view and direction.