NZ | Energy Projects

[Kane007]

Meridian Energy has lodged the first stage of its resource consents for its proposed hydro generation tunnel concept on the north bank of the Waitaki River with Environment Canterbury.

North Bank Tunnel Link

The North Bank Tunnel Concept is a hydro generation proposal taking water from Lake Waitaki and discharging it back into the Waitaki River about 34 km downstream near Stonewall.

Meridian Energy's investigations to date have shown that there is potential for a viable tunnel concept if the water resource can be secured. This staged consenting approach ensures that the essential resource, the water, is available before millions of dollars are invested on detailed engineering investigations and to ensure the community has the opportunity to understand and have input into the concept as it develops. The water-only consents would not authorise the construction of the tunnel or any power station.

The intention is to apply for water-only consents for hydro electric generation from the Waitaki Dam to Stonewall, about 34 km downstream. Over this distance the river drops about 128 metres and it is this elevation drop, or head, that would be utilised by the tunnel concept to generate electricity. The consents would be for a water take at Lake Waitaki and water discharge back into the Waitaki River at Stonewall on the north bank opposite and upstream of Black Point.

A monthly flow regime is proposed for the Waitaki River based on the variable, seasonal values and the electricity demand cycle. This has higher minimum flows than the existing regime and reflects the science and technical work that has been undertaken on the river. The minimum flows vary between 110 and 150 cumecs based on environmental and recreational values including fishing.

All of the effects relating to the water take will be fully assessed in order to provide assurances to the consent authority and the community. Technical assessments have been commissioned on the river environment including wetlands, in-river habitat, salmon angling, recreation, groundwater, landscape and abstractive users. It is expected that these reports will be available in May when open days are planned and workshops on specialist areas will be co-ordinated.

Information sheets

[Kane007]

Project Hayes is a proposed wind farm on the Lammermoor Range.



Project Hayes Link

The site is approximately 70 kilometres north-west of Dunedin, and is situated across five private properties. The wind farm would have up to 176 wind turbines, generating up to 630 MW, within the Central Otago District Council's boundary. The project is named after engineer and inventor Eben Ernest Hayes, one of the first New Zealanders to recognise and harness the commercial application of wind power in Central Otago. Hayes developed a wind mill to power his engineering works from 1910 until about 1927, and also invented a wind mill for pumping water that was used on many farms.

Hayes windfarm hearings begin

Central Otago District Council began considering an application for the country's largest windfarm on Monday.

Meridian Energy wants to build up to 176 wind turbines, covering 92 square kilometres, with a generation capacity of 630 megawatts, on the Lammermoor Range between Alexandra and Dunedin.

More than 1000 submissions have been received on Project Hayes, with slightly more than half of them in favour of the project.

Meridian Energy sought to prevent the district council holding the hearings by petitioning the environment minister, saying the council is not equipped to deal with such a large and complex hearings process.

But the Government refused to intervene, and on Monday a panel began hearing submissions from more than 200 people.

Meridian Energy told the hearing the farm will help cut the country's carbon emissions. It also said it does not consider the Lammermoor Range to be an outstanding natural landscape, citing several legal precedents to support this view.

Meridian lawyer Andrew Beatson told the hearing a public survey found that the land is ranked lowly against other landscapes in the region.

The company says other windfarms in New Zealand have already been built on or near outstanding natural landscapes with support of the Environment Court.

The hearing is expected to take at least three weeks.

[Kane007]

Project White Hill is a wind farm currently under construction by Meridian Energy. The wind farm is located west of Lumsden and south-east of Mossburn in northern Southland.




Project White Hill Link

The wind farm will have 29 wind turbines with a total capacity of approximately 58 megawatts (MW). It is estimated that when operating at full capacity the wind farm will have the ability to produce enough power for approximately 30,000 homes, equivalent to all the houses in the Southland and Invercargill City districts. Electricity generated by Project White Hill is intended to be supplied into the local electricity network.

March 2007 Newsletter (461 KB.pdf)


The Site

The core site for Project White Hill is located on the upper area of an outcrop that forms the western end of the Hokonui Hills, with White Hill at the eastern end of the site. The site is approximately 14km west of Lumsden and 9km south-east of Mossburn. It measures approximately 8km by 3km.

Much of the area is owned by Ernslaw One, a forestry company that has a large part of the land planted in Douglas fir seedlings. Meridian Energy owns 610ha of land in the development area.

The Turbines

A comprehensive evaluation of turbine options was undertaken for Project White Hill. The V80 turbine, with a 2MW (megawatt) capacity, was chosen as the most technically suitable machine for the wind farm.

The turbines are made by Vestas of Denmark, the world's largest wind turbine manufacturing company, and are slightly larger than those installed at Meridian Energy's Te Äpiti wind farm.

Project White Hill's 29 turbines will be spaced to ensure that the wind generating capacity of each turbine is optimised and that the effect of each turbine on the others is minimised

V-80 2MW



Technical specifications


Rotor
Diameter: 80 m
Swept area: 5,027 m2
Speed revolution: 16.7 rpm
Operational interval: 9 - 19 rpm
Number of blades: 3
Power regulation: Pitch/Optispeed®
Air brake: Full blade pitch by three separate hydraulic pitch cylinders


Tower

Hub height (approx.): 60 - 67 - 78 - 85 - 100 m


Operational data
Cut-in wind speed: 4 m/s Nominal wind speed (2000 kW): 15 m/s Stop wind speed: 25 m/s


Generator
Type: Asynchronous with OptiSpeed® Nominal output: 2,000 kW Operational data: 50 Hz/60 Hz
690 V


Gearbox
Type: Planet/parallel axles


Control
Type: Microprocessor-based monitoring of all turbine fuctions with the option of remote monitoring. Output regulation and optimisation via OptiSpeed® and OptiTip® pitch regulation.


Weight
Nacelle:
67 t
Rotor:
37 t
Towers: Hub height IEC IA IEC IIA DIBt II 60 m 130 t 125 t 105 t 67 m 160 t 145 t 125 t 78 m 205 t 200 t 170 t 85 m - - 185 t 100 m - 225 t 200 t t=metric tonnes

[Kane007]

Project West Wind is a proposal by Meridian Energy to develop a wind farm in the south-west corner on farmland west of Wellington.

Project West Wind Link

Meridian Energy has been investigating potential wind farm sites around the country for many years and has identified Wellington as a region with a superb natural wind resource ideal for power generation.

Meridian Energy consulted with interested parties before applying for resource consent to develop the wind farm.

As the country's leading producer of renewable energy, Meridian Energy recognises wind power generation as increasingly important for New Zealand and has made wind farm development a key part of the business.

West Wind Proposal (1027 KB pdf)

Resource Consent Status

In terms of the central issue in this decision-making exercise, the Commissioners have concluded that not only is the Project West Wind proposal an environmentally responsible method of providing energy for New Zealand, it is also, having regard to the set of mitigation measures imposed, an environmentally appropriate activity in Makara. In essence, the Commissioners have concluded that the proposal is consistent with the purposes and principles of the Resource Management Act relating to the sustainable management of resources.

On the above basis, the proposal to construct, use, and maintain a wind farm comprising 70 turbines, using sea and roading access from Oteranga Bay, on a 55.8 square kilometre site to the west of Wellington City, is granted subject to conditions.

[spotila]

Sigh..

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4029521a8153.html

Spiritual argument wins wind farm case

Opponents of a wind farm planned for a ridgeline west of Hawke's Bay are celebrating after winning an Environment Court appeal.

Hastings-based lines company Unison was granted permission by Hastings District Council to add 37 turbines to 15 for which it already had consent along the Te Waka Range skyline, around the Titiokura Saddle on the Napier-Taupo Road.

But the Environment Court said the cumulative visual effects of the 37 extra turbines and another 75 turbines to be built alongside them by Hawke's Bay Windfarms would be excessive in a sensitive and distinctive landscape.

The extra turbines would also go against Maori spiritual values, including the site's history, water and sacred areas.

Unison said it was disappointed and would appeal.

Environment Court judge Craig Thompson said "it was impossible not to absorb some of the depth of emotion expressed ... about the attachment of people to this area. It not only defines one of the boundaries of their tribal rohe, or districts, it also helps define them as individuals, and as tribal and family groups.

"We have concluded that this proposal does not promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources".

Napier historian Patrick Parsons, who helped the Outstanding Landscape Protection Society in its battle against the turbines, said the decision was a victory for Maori spiritual values and for the values of outstanding natural landscapes.

He predicted it would set a precedent with far-reaching implications for other planned wind farms.

"To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time landscape has won out over turbines.

"I predict other Maori organisations faced with a similar situation will take heart and realise it is worth lodging an appeal."

It would also deter wind-farm developers from setting their sights on other distinctive landforms, such as the Ruahine or Kaweka ranges, or Kahuranaki, near Havelock North.

"We're not anti-wind farm, but there is a lack of a national policy about where they can go. At the moment, all national landscapes are up for grabs."

Wellington lawyer Tania Hopmans, who helped Ngati Tu with its case, said she was not sure whether the decision would have repercussions for Meridian's planned wind farm at Makara, near Wellington.

However, it showed Maori concerns deserved weighting in environmental decisions, and that the Government's enthusiasm for wind farms should not override considerations such as spiritual values.

[Kane007]

Oh I know how to fix these people.

Cut their electricity!

[Kane007]

Environment Court decision on West Wind allows Meridian to build 66 of the 70 proposed turbines sought by the company.

Technically this could provide ALL of Wellington's electricity!!!!!

Atlast a step in the right direction!

National Business Review

3 News

The Dominion Post

[flyin_higher]

Oh yea!!! Great news, horray! Silly makara guardians lol.

[Kane007]

Construction of these snake like 120m long machines - known as Pelamis - COULD begin in NZ early next year. Developed by Scottish firm Ocean Power Delivery Limited these units produce 750kW each (500 homes) and consist of 3 hinged tubular modules and use wave motion to drive hydraulic rams that power generators to generate electricity.

Page 26 of the New Zealand Herald, The Business Herald. May be online later today or tomorrow.

[sth_Auk]

Wow 120m each.

[Kane007]

ational grid operator Transpower has submitted an investment proposal to the Electricity Commission for a $521 million grid upgrade to reinforce supply to Auckland and Northland.

The project involved installing 37km of 220 kV underground cable from Pakuranga to Penrose and then to Albany, Transpower said today.

It also allowed for obtaining easements, consents and other preparatory work for a second cable between Penrose and Hobson St in later years.

General manager grid investment Tim George said the proposal provided the best solution to ensure a reliable electricity supply for power users in the north Auckland and Northland areas well into the future.

The demand for electricity in the north Auckland and Northland areas continued to grow and could increase by as much as 21 per cent over the next six years.

The project goes through a densely populated urban area, and when Transpower looked at all options, the underground cable option was $41 million cheaper than any alternative option including further overhead lines, the company said.

It was also the preferred option of the public workshops, Mr George said.

The lodging of the north Auckland and Northland investment proposal followed a robust consultation process that began in May 2006.

The investment proposal is part of Transpower's grid upgrade plan.

Transpower said the plan was being provided to the Electricity Commission by instalments over the next six or so months.

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by Kane007

The project involved installing 37km of 220 kV underground cable from Pakuranga to Penrose and then to Albany, Transpower said today.

YES! Underground being the key word! I am so sick of electricity pylons EVERYWHERE in this city. They're such an urban blight. I'm glad they're thinking about undergrounding them!

[Kane007]

The development of New Zealand's newest wind farm has begun in the Makara hills west of Wellington.

Dignitaries, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, turned the first sod for Meridian's West Wind project which will provide power for Wellington, Hutt and Porirua cities.

The 62-turbine site is expected to become one of the most productive wind farms in the world.

"It's really a big contributor to our renewable energy targets and in the end New Zealand is using a lot more electricity and we've got to provide it from somewhere" says Meridian chief executive Keith Turner.

The site, which faced objections from some locals, took more than two years to obtain resource consent and is expected to be up and running by 2009.


Clark's speech.

About Project West Wind.

[Adamnz]

The Dominion Post | Friday, 28 September 2007

The Makara wind farm will be the "envy of the rest of the world" and become a symbol for Wellington, according to Meridian Energy chief executive Keith Turner.

West Wind is expected to be the world?s best wind farm, but the plan has been strongly opposed by residents concerned about the noise and size of the giant turbines, some less than a kilometre from homes.

The wind farm is expected to generate power at full potential about 47 per cent of the time, double the international average for wind farms.

Because of the consistent winds at Makara, the project should produce some power more than 90 per cent of the time.

A breeze of about 4 metres a second is needed to produce power, but in storm conditions - more than 25 metres a second - winds will be too strong to produce power.

Marking the turning of the first sod of earth at the $430 million site yesterday, Dr Turner confirmed that Meridian had chosen Siemens 2.3-megawatt wind turbines for the 62-turbine farm.

Prime Minister Helen Clark launched the project. "There will be few cities in the world, let alone capital cities, which can generate renewable electricity from within their boundaries," she said.

Last week, the Government said it aimed to have 90 per cent of electricity from renewable resources, such as wind and hydro power, by 2025.

Miss Clark said the New Zealand Energy Strategy and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy would be issued next month. They would set out the Government?s plans for a sustainable energy system.

Meridian originally planned 70 turbines, but four were ruled out by the Environment Court, and Meridian itself dropped another four, reducing the cost.

The project will have a total capacity of more than 140 megawatts, enough electricity to power all the houses in Wellington.

"We are absolutely delighted to be able to make a start on building this wind farm, which I believe will become a new symbol for Wellington," Dr Turner said.

The turbines will be 111 metres high, slightly more than the State Insurance Building, one of Wellington?s tallest buildings, and are expected to produce power by 2009.

Meridian said it would add only 40 trucks a day, and possibly fewer, to the existing 700 truck movements a day on Karori Rd. Large pieces of equipment, including the turbines, would be taken by barge to Makara.

Improvements to external roads around the site have begun, as required by the resource consent conditions.

Higgins Contractors has been confirmed as the civil engineering contractor. Higgins was used for Meridian?s first wind farm, Te Apiti, north of the Manawatu Gorge.

[Kane007]

Trustpower's plans for a 100-turbine wind farm on the foothills of the Lammerlaw Range, overlooking Lake Mahinerangi, 40km west of Dunedin, has been given the green light by a hearing committee.

However, opponents of the $500 million scheme have already begun preparing an appeal which will take the proposal to the Environment Court, the Otago Daily Times reported today.

A joint hearing committee of the Clutha District Council and Otago Regional Council has granted resource consent to TrustPower, with 178 conditions.

The decision will allow Trustpower to erect more than 100 145m-high turbines capable of generating 200MW of power - enough to supply about 100,000 homes.

Opposition to the scheme has focused on adverse landscape and visual effects.

[jarbury]

Is that the one Anton Oliver made a submission against?

[Kane007]

yeh, probably the same I think.

[jarbury]

Good to see it's got consent. NZ needs more windfarms. 100,000 homes... that's like more than Dunedin!

[Moveax]

Resource consent seems to be a real pain in the ass. I think for projects like wind farms you should be able to give a big FUCK YOU to opponents. Or suggest to them a coal power station is built instead and give them a choice. They use electricity and it has to come from somewhere.

[Kane007]

Lol, it's a human hangup everywhere, the attitude "not in my backyard".

We could do what some European nations are doing and build them several kilometres out at sea.