 |
| Rocking on: GNS Science senior geothermal scientist Chris Bromley with a piece of hydrothermally altered rock showing veins of silica and epidote (Courtesy Yvette Batten /Fairfax NZ) |
The GNS Science senior geothermal scientist said geothermal energy could be a major contributor to do this earlier than the Government's target of 2025. But it would also need the input of power companies.
Bromley, a geophysicist based at the Wairakei office, talked about the future of geothermal energy generation in New Zealand.
He said geothermal energy contributed about 18 per cent of the country's generated power, but he believed it had so much more potential.
Most of the plants are in the Taupo volcanic area, but about 40 per cent of the nation's geothermal resources are locked away in reserves.
"Maybe in 50 years' time our research will be so advanced that we can confidently develop these resources without having any environmental effects at all."
Read More......
