Update of direct geothermal energy use inventory and management for New Zealand

Abstract

As New Zealand transitions away from fossil fuels, more emphasis is being placed on renewable energy solutions. The technological, economic and environmental benefits of direct geothermal use are well demonstrated globally. In New Zealand, direct geothermal use spans sectors (tourism, agriculture, aquaculture, residential, commercial and industrial) and includes a broad range of energy use technologies from high-temperature industrial processes to low-temperature small-scale installations. Access to reliable and accurate direct use data informs decision making on resource management, assisting with determining the appropriate balance between utilization and the protection of special natural features at the surface of geothermal systems.
As a means to monitor, promote and inform on the potential of utilizing New Zealand’s natural geothermal resources, GNS Science has been cataloguing geothermal direct energy use activities, through the development of an online tool. This paper summarises recent geothermal energy use in New Zealand, recent drivers for uptake, and showcases some new initiatives.