Pumped storage: A game-changer for New Zealand’s electricity needs? & More News Here

Earl Bardsley resides proof that one man could make a distinction – on this case to New Zealand’s electricity provide.

In 2002, Bardsley, honorary affiliate professor on the University of Waikato, got here up with the thought of utilizing Lake Onslow in Central Otago as a dependable energy storage facility to fulfill the nation’s electricity wants throughout dry years.

The “dry year problem” refers to the truth that, though blessed with an abundance of hydro-generating lakes and rivers, New Zealand runs into issues when lake ranges are low.

At these occasions, electricity must be generated by costly and polluting fossil fuels, which the Government is dedicated to phasing out by 2030.

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“I was always looking for possibilities by which we might get alternative means of storage away from our scenic natural lakes,” says Bardsley. “So that’s why I first started thinking about the Lake Onslow basin.”

By 12 months’s finish, the Government could have determined whether or not or to not go forward with the $4 billion undertaking that will effectively flip Bardsley’s imaginative and prescient into actuality. The determination to proceed will likely be primarily based largely on the findings of a feasibility examine generally known as the NZ Battery Project, the result of which will likely be introduced subsequent month.

As Bardsley instructed Frank Film, at coronary heart of the Lake Onslow scheme is the idea of pumped storage.

“What it amounts to is that we’re using Lake Onslow as a battery,” says Bardsley.

“When the prices are low and there’s plenty of water around, we’ll pump water up into the lake. When there’s a dry year, we’ll have all this potential energy available which we can run back down to the Clutha River.

“By running it back down we can generate 1000 megawatts, and that means that we can do away with fossil fuel as a source of energy during dry years.”

Megan Woods, the Minister of Energy and Resources, is unequivocal concerning the significance of the undertaking and what it might imply for the Government’s dedication to New Zealand’s vitality being 100% renewable by 2030.

“Look, this will be a game changer. Not only will it enable us to decarbonise, and get to that 100% renewable electricity system, but, more broadly, across our energy system,” Woods tells Frank Film.

As Bardsley additional explains, “The example could be the dairy industry and the production of milk powder, which uses a lot of energy.

“If we use that energy from electricity as opposed to, for example, coal, then that’s better for the whole country.”

The magnitude of the undertaking is illustrated in Bardsley’s assertion: “The culmination of the water storage volume, and the height about the Clutha River, means you could have the potential energy up there equal to all the hydro lakes of New Zealand put together.”

Both Bardsley and Woods acknowledge that the wetlands adjoining to Lake Onslow could be a casualty of the undertaking, with Woods additionally noting that any cultural significance to the native rūnaka will should be thought-about and addressed.

Local fisherman, Andrew Moore, signifies to the Frank Film crew the purpose on the hill the place the brand new lake degree could be.

In spite of the truth that, ought to the undertaking go forward, the hut he’s been coming to for 30 years would should be moved, he’s philosophical about it – whereas additionally not lacking a chance to have a dig at metropolis dwellers within the north.

“Well, we need it. We’ve got electric cars now. All those Auckanders and Wellingtonians [with] their electric cars plugged in at five o’clock.

“[You’ve] got to get the power from somewhere, don’t you.”

No Elon Musk, Earl Bardsley might not match the mould of at the moment’s visionary hero. But, the sincerity, readability and mental rigour of this old-school tutorial is convincing.

Bardsley’s perception within the undertaking is evident.

“It would be good to see the whole thing go ahead. It will change the New Zealand energy scene for the next 50 years.”

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