Investigating alternative options

Over the past few months we’ve been working to identify possible alternative technologies and approaches that may address the dry year problem, either to complement a pumped hydro solution or as a substitute. We started with an initial long-list, and after screening each option against a set of criteria, engaging with external experts and consulting with the Technical Reference Group, we have identified 5 broad potential alternatives. They are:

•    biomass, biogas and biofuels
•    geothermal energy, including novel approaches to using it
•    hydrogen or other green vectors (e.g. green ammonia)
•    compressed or liquid air
•    flow batteries

Further analysis is required to assess whether all of these technologies are suitable for long-term, large-scale renewable energy storage, and are applicable in a New Zealand context. We are currently procuring external engineering advice to further refine this list, and then explore further the feasibility of those options that still look prospective.

Lake Onslow field work and Teviot Valley Business Directory

The Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods recently announced a major contract has been awarded to Te Rōpū Matatau to undertake the geotechnical, engineering and environmental planning investigations at Lake Onslow.

Te Rōpū Matatau is a consortium of firms led by Mott MacDonald, GHD and Boffa Miskell. Its work will feed into our ongoing feasibility study of the Lake Onslow option, which includes environmental and cultural assessments.

Much of its initial work is desktop-based, but there will be some field work involved potentially within the next couple of months. We expect this to be a mix of local resources and specialised contractors from other regions.

Together with the Teviot Valley Business Network and Central Otago District Council, we have created a Teviot Valley Business Directory. This directory will be shared with Te Rōpū Matatau and the project’s other contractors to help them support local businesses and stay in local accommodation while they’re working in the area.

The directory is hosted on Central Otago District Council’s website and has had an excellent response so far from local businesses wanting to join. We look forward to sharing business information with contractors.

Read Minister Woods' press release 'Major contract awarded to power NZ Battery investigation' – Beehive.govt.nz

Project timelines

With the Te Rōpū Matatau contract for the Lake Onslow study in place, we now have a more detailed roadmap and refined timeline for the work programme.

This new information has enabled us to revise the project’s broader estimated timelines, which we’ve now updated on the NZ Battery Project webpage.

NZ Battery Project

Gathering data at Lake Onslow

Photo: Andrew Willsman, NIWA

In September NIWA installed a climate station at Mt Teviot to measure meteorological data including temperature, rainfall, humidity and solar radiation.

This data will help model things like Lake Onslow’s evaporation rates.

NIWA also installed a lake monitoring buoy to measure water temperature variation with depth, dissolved oxygen, and wind and air temperature variation at the surface.

Data from both the buoy and climate station will be used to better understand how a much larger lake with a bigger operating range behaves and the affects this may have on the fishery.

Correction

The last e-news included an overview of how we’re procuring services. There was a small error in that overview, and we apologise. The correct information is on the NZ Battery Project webpage.

NZ Battery Project | Procurement