Research and reports

July 2009

University of Otago

A report looking at what interventions would be needed to bring NZ houses up to World Health Organisation recommended standards, in all parts of the country.

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.

This is part one of a two-phase report about bio-oil technologies and the manufacture of the product in New Zealand.

The report is aimed at investors; forest and mill owners who have access to quantities of remote forest and mill residue and may consider bio-oil production as a technically and economically viable business option.

East Harbour Energy was commissioned by Fonterra to carry out an assessment of the feasibility of converting the energy supply at their Tuamarina, Kaikoura, and Culverden milk processing plants from diesel or LFO to wood fuel.

This report investigates the site requirements, the regional wood fuel supply, suitable boiler plant, consenting issues, risks, benefits, and provides a financial assessment of conversion.