Geoheat – Geothermal Heat Energy Powering Industrial and Commercial Processes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Abstract

Today in Aotearoa New Zealand, geothermal energy is an important energy source which is poised to play an even greater role in the transition to the renewable low carbon energy future. The paper discusses the New Zealand Geothermal Association’s Geoheat initiative which is focused on raising awareness and support for commercial and industrial process heat users, whether fuel switching to a renewable or establishing a new operation, to use renewable geothermal heat energy (Geoheat) in their venture.

Geoheat can deliver temperatures from chilled (4°C) to around 220°C, and offers a number of advantages to industrial users, being:
• Renewable
• Low carbon
• Cost effective
• Available
• Proven at scale
• Low risk

Fostering Geoheat uptake is primarily associated with existing geothermal operations in the Taup? Volcanic Zone in the Kawerau, Taup? and Rotorua Districts. A diverse range of operations in these districts already use Geoheat, including timber processing, pulp & paper products, dairy product manufacturing, large-scale hothouses and aquaculture. The Geoheat initiative aims to increase the primary energy supplied for process use by 7.5PJ by 2030. Amplify, the economic development agency for the Taup? District, and Bay of Connections, the regional economic development arm of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, are actively involved, as are a range of M?ori-owned entities, consultants, commercial businesses, research organisations and government agencies.

Collectively, the Geoheat initiative priorities are intended to better position Geoheat to deliver new projects, by focusing on six areas:
• Communicate
• Showcase
• Partner
• Represent
• Advocate
• Advance

These themes are detailed in the New Zealand Geothermal Association’s 2022-2023 Geoheat Action Plan, released in February 2022.

With the New Zealand government actively driving the decarbonisation of New Zealand industry, and as part of its goals to shift towards a renewable low carbon energy future, geothermal energy is well placed to provide an attractive process heat option for New Zealand industry in districts with developed geothermal resources.