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Study explores possible geothermal direct use on New Zealand’s South Island

Study explores possible geothermal direct use on New Zealand’s South Island Lake Pearson, Southern Alps, New Zealand (source: flickr/ D.Taylor in Idaho, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 22 Feb 2018

GNS Science is working on a study to explore opportunities of a recently discovered geothermal resource in the Alpine Fault on New Zealand's South Island.

GNS Science in New Zealand has been working to study the geothermal potential in the Alpine Fault near Whataroa on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

The company drilled a borehole to a depth of around 900 meters and found water temperatures of 120 degrees Celsius. Now the challenge is to raise sufficient funding to explore how this resource can be utilised.

The community is interested in geothermal as a business opportunity. GNS Science has sufficient funding to start off on the six-month project – the first of three stages into using geothermal resource.  The study will explore opportunities to utilise geothermal heat for horticulture, hot pools, accommodation facilities and industrial applications.

Depending on the outcome of the study, further work would then involve field work and development of pilot projects.

For the local economy, the discovery of geothermal heat presents a great opportunity and “provide real benefit to the dairy and tourism sectors.”

Source: The Press