Research and reports

This report provides high level guidance to independent renewable energy project developers who wish to investigate and progress distributed generation projects.

This report was commissioned by EECA and prepared by Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd. The report focuses on geothermal, hydro and wind projects in the range of 10 kW to 20 MW. The report makes developers aware of the range of issues that need to be addressed at the early stages of such projects, up until the point when developers typically seek tender submissions for detailed design and equipment supply.

Investment in solar water heating systems for commercial applications is often constrained due to a shortage of investment capital. Yet commercial enterprises such as hotels, motels, restaurants, food processors and food take-away outlets may use large volumes of hot water that could make the economics of investment in solar water heating systems attractive if the capital cost could be modified to be an operating cost.

With the assistance of the Innovation Fund, Wellingtonian Stuart Dickson has developed an integrated unglazed solar water heating system that makes innovative use of thermal storage and a heat pump to provide space and water heating. The prototype system was designed and tested using his own house and garage as the testing site, so Stuart has had real-time feedback on how the system is operating.

Energy3 Ltd and Duelling Banjos Ltd looked into the viability of installing a small-scale (2.4MW) distributed wind farm on a vineyard in the Marlborough region. The landowners will be the co-developers of the project, and power from the wind turbines would be used onsite and also for sale into 33kV Marlborough Lines distribution network.