Science Centres: Energy

Sustainable energy for rural communities: what does it take?

The energy pyramid

NIWA has been working with remote rural communities on small-scale renewable energy projects for the past six years.

NIWA Energy Research Engineer, Rilke de Vos, outlines some of the work.

Where to start: the energy pyramid

Simple, low cost actions can have a big impact, so we start with energy conservation and efficiency. We then make maximum use of alternative forms of energy e.g., passive lighting, biomass, and gas. Only then does it make sense to investigate renewable energy options like micro-hydro or solar PV (photovoltaic) panels.

Transforming communities

Small-scale sustainable energy systems candramatically improve quality of life in remote rural communities. Amongst the outcomes we see are:

• greater social resilience & self-reliance
• improved capacity to interact with the widereconomy
• increased knowledge.

Implementation: two examples

NIWA has worked intensively with two remote Māori communities. Other communities can benefit from their experience whenconsidering the potential costs and benefits of installing similar systems. Our thanks go to these communities, our partners, and the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology for their support.

Waipoua Settlement (off-grid)

Insulation installed in all dwellings and marae: an independent audit by EECA reported the highest approval rate for installation of this type in the last six years.
Savings: High
Cost:~$4,000 per house

Wood was and is used for space & hot water heating.
Cost to run: Effort of collecting

Califonts (gas) will be used for water heating in the marae.

A 300W micro-hydro stand-alone powersystem installed.
Production: Medium (~2,000 kWh/year)
Cost to buy: Medium (~$18,000)
Cost to run: Very low

5kW generator (petrol) refurbished.
Production: Backup & peak
Cost to buy: Low
Cost to run: Very high

HOUSE power systems: Installed 120Whouse PV power systems.
Production: Low (~116 kWh/year)
Cost to buy: Low (~$2,800 each)
Cost to run: Extremely low

MARAE power system: Installed solarPV/wind/battery/inverter system(720W wind, 300W wind).
Production: Medium (~1,200 kWh/year)
Cost to buy: High (~$27,000)
Cost to run: Low

Waihi Settlement (on-grid)

Communal solar hot water system (300ltr) installed.
Production: Nearly all hot water needs
Cost to buy: Medium (~$21,000)
Cost to run: Very low (maintenance)

Geothermal heating has traditionally been used at this Lake Taupo location.
Cost to run: Maintenance of boilers

A 35 kW mini-hydro plant with grid-export under consideration.
Production potential: approx. 300,000 kWh/yr
Cost to install: Medium (pending)
Cost to run: Low
Complexity: High (community owned business)

MARAE power system: Installed 720W solar PV system.
Production: Medium (~1,000 kWh/year)
Cost to buy: High (~$16,000)
Cost to run: extremely low