GEOTHERMAL ON A TRUCK – THE NATURE’S FLAME GEOTHERMAL DIRECT USE PROJECT

Abstract

In June 2019 Nature’s Flame and Contact Energy signed an energy supply agreement which will see Contact providing up to 22 MWt of geothermal energy to the Nature’s Flame wood pellet manufacturing plant in Taupo. The energy will be provided from an existing geothermal production well (TH6) which has been sustaining the Tenon Sawmill operation since 2006. This energy will facilitate the expansion of Nature’s Flame to begin exporting wood pellets to renewable energy markets in Asia, primarily Japan and South Korea, as well as providing a low carbon alternative to coal in boilers in New Zealand.
The project will make more efficient use of well TH6 and improve the operability of the system for Contact and its users, whilst providing an economical cost, reliable and low carbon energy solution for Nature’s Flame.
The energy supply system will be constructed and commissioned in late 2019, with full operation expected in November.