From Waste to Wealth: Commercial Recovery of Products from New Zealand Geothermal Fluids

Abstract

The composition and volume of geothermal fluids in New Zealand offers considerable potential for the extraction of various metals and minerals, as well as being a source of heat energy, steam and gases, and for use in generating electricity. While extracting products from geothermal fluids is technically feasible, positive economics is the key driver for commercial success. However there is no assessment of this opportunity which identifies simple, cost-effective processing technologies, and provides a greater understanding of the economic viability and barriers for implementing such technologies. The methodology that will be used to evaluate the commercial opportunities for New Zealand will be discussed. A suite of cross-disciplinary studies will integrate a range of information on the opportunities and barriers to the commercial recovery of a selection of products from geothermal fluids. These will include a technological, market and New Zealand regulatory review. The outcome will be the best technical options and economic models to assist in guiding future investment.