1. Christchurch, Bioenergy and the History of the District Energy Scheme
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Bioenergy Association of New Zealand Occasional Paper 19 Bioenergy Utilisation Opportunities in Christchurch & Recommendations from European Experiences Simon Love University of Graz 10 September 2013 i Table of Contents Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 1 1. Christchurch, Bioenergy and the History of the District Energy Scheme ............................................ 4 1.1 The Earthquakes and the Changes in the Central City ............................................................. 4 1.2 The Origins of the District Energy Scheme .............................................................................. 5 1.3 A Focus on Biomass................................................................................................................ 6 2. Theoretical Basis – Christchurch-Specific Literature Review .............................................................. 7 2.1 Summary of District Energy Scheme Feasibility Study Results ................................................. 7 2.1 Summary of Hospital Boiler Reports ..................................................................................... 15 2.3 Previous Studies on Biofuels and Renewable Energy in New Zealand ................................... 16 2.4 Biogas from Animal Waste ................................................................................................... 18 3. Theoretical Basis – Renewable Energy Technologies and Fuels Literature Review ........................... 18 3.1 Which Bioenergy Conversion Technologies Exist? ................................................................ 18 3.2 Combustion ......................................................................................................................... 19 3.3 Gasification .......................................................................................................................... 23 3.4 Biogas Production ................................................................................................................ 25 3.5 Generation Technologies ..................................................................................................... 25 3.6 Non-Biofuel Renewable Technologies .................................................................................. 26 3.7 District Energy Systems – Distribution and Storage of Heat .................................................. 30 4. Research Method ........................................................................................................................... 33 4.1 Interviewed New Zealand Experts ........................................................................................ 33 4.2 Further New Zealand Contributors ....................................................................................... 36 4.3 Interviewed European Experts ............................................................................................. 37 4.4 Further European Contributors ............................................................................................ 38 5. Characterisation of Christchurch ..................................................................................................... 38 5.1 Physical Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 38 5.2 Social and Cultural Characteristics ........................................................................................ 40 5.3 Political Context for Renewable Energy ................................................................................ 40 5.4 Maturity of Bioenergy Industry ............................................................................................ 43 5.5 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 44 6. Results: Quantification and Assessment of Fuel Resources for Canterbury ...................................... 44 6.1 Part 1: Biofuels..................................................................................................................... 45 6.2 Part 2: Other Energy Sources ............................................................................................... 64 6.3 Part 3: Possible Future Situation Changes and their Effects .................................................. 69 7. Results and Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 70 7.1 Summary of Availability ....................................................................................................... 70 7.2 Summary of Costs ................................................................................................................ 73 7.3 Short Term Recommendations ............................................................................................. 74 7.4 Medium Term Recommendations ........................................................................................ 77 7.5 Long Term Recommendations .............................................................................................. 79 7.6 Institutional and System Changes......................................................................................... 79 8. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 81 9. Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 83 10. References ..................................................................................................................................... 84 ii This publication is originally the master’s thesis of Simon Love, submitted to the University of Graz in July 2013. The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand publishes this series of Occasional Papers in order to encourage discussion on bioenergy topics amongst members. The content of the paper are the views of the author and do not reflect the Association’s opinion in any way. Members wishing to submit reports for possible publication within this series may contact the association Executive Officer. The Author Simon Love has a multidisciplinary science background, having studied chemistry before moving into environmental research and life cycle assessment at Scion, one of New Zealand’s crown research institutes, in Wellington. A New Zealander, he has lived in Wellington and Christchurch, as well as the USA, the Netherlands and Austria. Simon’s areas of interest include renewable energy, the built environment, and green market development. Simon holds a Bachelor of Science and Technology degree in chemical products and processes from Victoria University of Wellington, and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Ecology from the University of Leiden, Technical University of Delft and University of Graz. Approval for Publication Author Name Signature Date Simon Love 11 September 2013 BANZ Name Signature Date Executive Brian Cox 1 November 2013 Officer iii List of Abbreviations Abbreviation Definition BANZ Bioenergy Association of New Zealand CAfE Christchurch Agency for Energy CBD Central Business District CCA Copper Chromium Arsenic CCHL Christchurch City Holdings Limited CCC Christchurch City Council CDHB Christchurch District Health Board CERA Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority CHP Combined Heat and Power CoP Coefficient of Performance CRI Crown Research Institute DES District Energy Scheme ECan Environment Canterbury EECA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority EFI Energy for Industry EPA Environmental Protection Authority (New Zealand) or Environmental Protection Agency (USA) EPR Energy Power Resources (Ltd.) ETS Emissions Trading Scheme EU European Union FAR Foundation for Arable Research GHG Greenhouse Gas IRR Internal Rate of Return LFG Landfill Gas LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas MAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry MDF Medium Density Fibreboard MED Ministry of Economic Development MfE Ministry for the Environment NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research NZ New Zealand NZD New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) NZU New Zealand Unit (= 1 tonne of CO2 equivalents) O&M Operational and Maintenance SDH Solar District Heating SNG Synthetic Natural Gas SRF Short-Rotation Forestry T Temperature USA United States of America WENZ Wood Energy New Zealand WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant iv Abstract Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in February 2011, the city began a process of cleanup, repairing and rebuilding. A district energy scheme (DES) was proposed as part of the rebuild, and feasibility studies identified the need for further quantification and assessment of bioenergy resources. This thesis is written to fulfil that need, taking into account other renewable energy sources, and with the aim transferring European knowledge of renewable energy utilisation to New Zealand. Background research was begun in January 2013, followed by face-to-face interviews with New Zealand energy professionals in February. In March and April, European experts were interviewed, followed by data collation and writing of the main report. Assessment of resource quantities was completed using primary data, information from previous studies, and other literature. Modern energy conversion technologies and their potential fuel feedstocks have