New Zealand is confronting a perfect storm.
Author
Faith Jeremiah
Lecturer in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Lincoln University, New Zealand
Its energy grid faces three pressing challenges at once: an , strict and ongoing environmental issues related to wastewater ponds.
As the country prepares to meet growing energy demands, the variability of wind, solar and hydroelectric power has made year-round electricity generation .
Compounding the issue are New Zealand’s and avoidable .
We need . One lies hidden within our wastewater systems.
Three challenges, one solution
In the search for viable renewable energy sources, one option is to install on wastewater ponds. However, the initial costs and related to manufacturing and disposal may pose temporary challenges.
A more immediate and cost-effective solution is already available: biogas membrane covers.
These covers generate continuous energy at while such as methane emissions and algal growth.
Even are possible through combining biogas covers with heat systems and . Together, these three technologies suggest a multi-pronged solution that could help stabilise the grid, meet emissions targets and improve wastewater management.
Biogas from wasterwater
Methane emissions from wastewater ponds are a , contributing significantly to New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas footprint. By installing biogas membrane covers, this before it escapes into the atmosphere, and instead be used to generate electricity.
This creates a – something traditional renewables such as wind, solar and hydro cannot always guarantee.
From a cost perspective, to install than per kilowatt of energy produced. Also, because these systems produce energy continuously, they are ten times than solar panels, which suffer from intermittency issues.
But beyond energy production, these covers offer other environmental benefits. They limit harmful emissions and curb about in neighbourhoods near wastewater treatment plants.
Repurposing excess heat
While biogas systems have enormous potential, they do have one significant drawback. The heat generated during methane combustion can cause wastewater ponds to overheat, leading to operational challenges such as excessive algal growth.
This is where come into play.
These systems capture the excess heat from biogas combustion and . This not only improves energy efficiency but also regulates the temperature of the wastewater ponds, helping to reduce algal growth and evaporation.
The third part of an involves solar panels which can be installed . While these are more expensive to install initially, they collectively . When , the panels .
Floating solar panels can also help manage the ponds themselves. By reducing sunlight penetration, they help .
Wastewater ponds as energy hubs
The beauty of an integrated approach is that it addresses several problems simultaneously.
By rethinking , New Zealand can turn an existing problem into a key part of the solution.
Biogas membrane covers provide immediate energy and emissions benefits. Combined heat and power systems boost efficiency by converting waste heat into electricity. And floating solar panels maximise renewable output while improving wastewater management.
Independently, these systems have been successful overseas. In , methane from wastewater ponds is captured and converted into renewable energy, powering thousands of homes. Meanwhile, in parts of the , floating solar panels are increasingly being used to boost energy production while managing water systems.
The success of these projects provides a blueprint for New Zealand. By combining these technologies into cohesive systems, New Zealand could demonstrate how environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities.
The future of renewable energy will require continued exploration and integration of emerging technologies, such as capable of 60% more energy. These could be .
For now, though, an integration of , and represents a significant step forward for New Zealand. It could generate enough power to supply about 27% of households with renewable energy from wastewater ponds, offering immediate relief from the electricity crisis while supporting emissions reduction targets.
