New Zealand to invest $60 million on supercritical geothermal research

Pohutu geyser in Te Whakarewarewa, New Zealand (source: denisbin / flickr, Creative Commons)

The Government of New Zealand will be allocating up to $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal technology (SCGT).

“Geothermal energy is sourced from extremely hot rock heated by magma. At present, conventional geothermal wells are drilled to a maximum depth of about 3.5 km. However, scientists believe that by drilling beyond this, possibly to 6km deep, more energy will be available,” said  Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.

“The energy generated from supercritical geothermal technology (SCGT) could be up to three times greater than current geothermal energy from steam. In the long term this could be a game-changer for New Zealand and potentially internationally, with other countries also chasing solutions to energy challenges.”

Supercritical geothermal potential in the TVZ

Initially only $5 million of the funding will be drawn down for work on the detailed design and cost to drill the first of three exploratory deep wells in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The Crown will also engage with stakeholders, particularly local iwi and hapu, on opportunities for involvement.

The initiative will be led by GNS Science and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). The work will be informed by GNS Science’s “Geothermal: The Next Generation” research which was funded by MBIE’s Endeavour Research Fund and years of other studies at the Taupo Volcanic Zone.

“The science has confirmed that supercritical geothermal resources are available and abundant in the Taupo Volcanic Zone,” said Dr Isabelle Chambefort, Energy Futures Leader at GNS Science.

“This investment and support from the Government is critical to derisking and developing the technologies that will harness this huge potential. It continues to position New Zealand and the energy industry as a world leader in geothermal technology development.”

Source: New Zealand Government