{"id":1421,"date":"2023-11-15T15:37:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T02:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bayofconnections.com\/?post_type=news-and-projects&p=1421"},"modified":"2023-11-17T09:00:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T20:00:37","slug":"accelerating-energy-transition-focus-of-workshop","status":"publish","type":"news-and-projects","link":"https:\/\/www.bayofconnections.com\/news-and-projects\/accelerating-energy-transition-focus-of-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Accelerating energy transition focus of workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The key insights from EECA\u2019s Regional Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA) programme were shared at a workshop hosted by Bay of Connections and the Government agency in Rotorua on Tuesday 7th<\/sup> November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two-stage RETA programme kicked off earlier this year, with the initial planning stage nearing completion. This has involved work into four research workstreams, outlined below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the workstreams have been designed to help process heat users and other stakeholders collectively see the bigger picture, and start developing and implementing decarbonisation pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Demand Assessment:<\/strong> Undertaken by DETA Global who were tasked with creating a picture of regional heat demand, and the opportunities for lower emissions alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DETA gathered information from 29 sites across the region, covering a range of different sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key takeaways from the mahi are that while a few sites already utilise renewable fuels, there is an opportunity for greater uptake of local resources, including geothermal and local waste products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their view is that biomass and geothermal will be key to decarbonising Bay of Plenty process heat, and caution that the decarbonisation process is a long journey \u2013 so the time to start is now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electricity Availability:<\/strong> For this workstream, Ergo Consulting developed a system-wide, regional view of the capacity and constraints of the electricity network, with consideration of demand growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the regional challenges impacting demand growth include various assets reaching thermal limits, high network loading, and geography and land use restricting the ability to build new assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to significant lead times required to install greater capacity, a key message was to start discussions early to allow for informed and timely investment decisions to respond to increased demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biomass Availability:<\/strong> Indufor Group  explored gross biomass availability for the wider Bay of Plenty region, including Taupo, as well as net availability – biomass not currently contracted (contestable, open to approaches from customers) or unutilised \u2013 and delivered cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Indufor team talked to multiple industry stakeholders, including wood processors, forest owners, contractors, associations, district and regional councils, and specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They found a significant portion of the \u2018available\u2019 biomass is currently exported or sold domestically to well established markets, so competition can be expected to be vigorous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geothermal Availability:<\/strong> Led by GNS Science, this workstream included several case studies to highlight geothermal heat solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy requirements and site location will dictate if and how a site can access geothermal energy, and what technology is right for the facility and applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower temperature geothermal applications have broad application across the Bay of Plenty Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The models indicate that if geothermal sites are managed properly and use is within sustainable limits, the resource will deliver over the long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GNS Science shared a great emissions story to demonstrate the benefit of geothermal; since 1957, the use of geothermal energy at Kawerau has reduced emissions (relative to natural gas) by 13 million tonnes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outcomes and Next Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stage of the RETA programme has confirmed that the Bay of Plenty has some unique decarbonisation opportunities, with a challenge issued that we need to do more to achieve net zero emissions ahead of 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This latest workshop has been essential in bringing key people together to consider and progress the next steps toward making the region\u2019s decarbonised future a reality, as well as exploring how organisations can better collaborate to reach their low carbon goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial planning stage of the programme is nearing completion. A comprehensive report will be released by EECA, scheduled for March 2024, outlining the findings and pathways for implementation. This will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n