GEOTHERMAL: THE NEXT GENERATION - ADVANCING THE UNDERSTANDING OF NEW ZEALAND’S SUPERCRITICAL RESOURCES

Abstract

New Zealand is endowed with generous geothermal resources. Currently untapped, NZ’s deeper, supercritical geothermal resources have the potential to provide a near- unlimited source of renewable energy, with ten times more energy than conventional geothermal. New Zealand’s unique tectonic setting with its active rifting arc produces voluminous magma and outstanding heat flow. It delivers exceptional opportunities for geothermal development and has placed New Zealand among the leaders in geothermal energy technology for the past 60 years. Our present level of scientific understanding, however, is insufficient to offer industry-ready solutions for NZ. Our multidisciplinary programme aims to resolve the critical, underpinning geological, geochemical and technological challenges – unknown in conventional geothermal – to enable future NZ generations to sustainably use supercritical resources for electricity generation and high-temperature industrial applications, while minimising carbon emissions.
This research programme – building on over a decade of research – aims to minimise exploration and technological risks by detailing heat transfer at significant depth; interactions between New Zealand rocks and fluids at supercritical conditions; modelling system sustainability; and delineating the potential of these resources.
We assembled New Zealand and overseas geophysicists, geologists, experimental geochemists, modellers, as well as economic and M?ori strategic investment advisors. Here we present an update on the main objectives, relevance, future linkages and the first results 2.5 years into this challenging and strategic new scientific endeavour. Aotearoa New Zealand’s supercritical journey is underway and on display through www.geothermalnextgeneration.com and associated social media connections.