Monday, July 8, 2019

New Zealand: Government Provides Funding for Silica from Geothermal Brine Project

PGF boost for 'game changing' energy initiatives (Stuff.co.nz)

Two companies pioneering clean energy solutions have received a $22 million boost from the government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones was in the Bay of Plenty on Monday where he announced a $15m loan and convertible note to Geo40 Limited at Ohaaki, 30km north of Taupō.

Geo40 has developed a technology where silica is extracted from water in geothermal power stations before it flows back to the reservoir. Geo40 built a demonstration silica removal plant at its Ohaaki geothermal site.

PGF funding will go towards the commissioning and construction of a new plant which will be seven times bigger. The extraction process could also be extended to other geothermal plants.