Free Webinar: Geothermal - an overlooked carbon friendly energy source
Tuesday 10th September | 4.00 - 5.00pm
GNS Scientist Brian Carey will share how geothermal energy can reduce emissions across numerous industrial sectors.
The power of the Pacific Ring of Fire
While we may experience the odd window rattle living here, our position on the Pacific Ring of Fire means we sit on top of an enormous, untapped source of energy, geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy is not just useful for generating electricity, it also provides us with a supply of low-emissions heat across the country.
Why is this a hot topic?
Heat makes up one-third of Aotearoa New Zealand's energy use, and the way we produce heat contributes to about 8% our total annual emissions.
Industrial processes make up 86% of our total heat use, with about 56% of the heat being supplied using fossil fuels, mainly gas and coal.
Two-thirds of the heat supply New Zealand needs is between "low" (less than 100°C) and "medium" (100-300°C) temperatures. In New Zealand, we have a hot opportunity to tap into the geothermal heat (geoheat) across the motu, not just in our volcanic regions, to harness a 24/7 low-emissions supply of heat.
Using this heat directly from the Earth, rather than burning fossil fuels or using electric heaters to produce heat, is far more energy efficient. Geoheat is already widely used overseas, even in countries without volcanic hotspots.
Brian will share how geoheat can make a big difference to a range of New Zealand's industries by reducing their emissions and long-term operating costs.
Thank you Carbon and Energy Professionals New Zealand for hosting us.
