Workshop flagging greater geothermal potential

Over half of New Zealand's geothermal energy use happens in the Bay of Plenty. Photo/Thinkstock

Around half of New Zealand's geothermal energy use occurs in the Bay of Plenty - but there's scope for much more.

That's the message from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), which is sponsoring a workshop in Rotorua this week on direct use of geothermal energy for commercial use.

Bay of Plenty was already dominant when it came to geothermal energy, with around half of the country's 300 geothermal applications located in the region, said EECA renewable heat programme manager Shaun Bowler.

"Access to geothermal energy resources provides a real comparative advantage for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions," he said.

"Bay of Connections and Grow Rotorua are showing leadership in enabling increased investment in this important national resource."

Uses for geothermal include timber drying, horticultural hot houses, aquaculture, motels, and spas. Geothermal heat was available throughout the central North Island area, and there was scope to develop a lot more of it, Mr Bowler said.

EECA is sponsoring keynote speaker Dr John Lund, an expert in of geothermal energy. Dr Lund's experience complements a programme that will provide a "how-to" guide on geothermal energy for use in direct heat applications.

"The region has the potential to significantly contribute towards the Government's renewable energy goals.

"Geothermal is a key component of these goals."

The Workshop on Geothermal Direct Heat for Commercial Applications will be held tomorrow and Wednesday. It is part of the Bay of Connections Energy Strategy project.

For more information go to www.bayofconnections.com/geothermal or contact Mark.Smith@growrotorua.com.