Research and reports

The Waikato Regional Energy Strategy, which was launched at the Beehive in August 2009, provides a comprehensive map of the Waikato's current energy resources, and a range of recommendations on ways in which the region's energy resources could be further developed. The Waikato strategy, which has been initiated by Environment Waikato and developed with community and business input, has highligted the important role which the region plays in energy production - particularly electricity generation.

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.

Nelson based Nutrizeal Ltd have investigated options to replace their LPG hot water boiler with a biomass boiler.  Three different options are considered with simple paybacks ranging from 0.7 years to 2.4 years.