Geothermal energy, comprising geothermal power and geothermal heat production, is a renewable energy source with vast potential.
Geothermal energy is produced using heat from within the earth. Steam and hot materials can be used to heat buildings and to generate electricity.
It’s the heat coming from the centre of the Hearth up to the subsoil, which we can exploit to warm up and refresh all kind of building, without using the traditional heaters.
Geothermal energy is an important contributor to New Zealand’s electricity and heat supply, contributing 11% to total primary energy supply. This map shows the major geothermal areas in New Zealand. Low temperature areas are used mainly for recreational.
Geothermal energy is divided into three systems:
- Low-temperature – used for heat production
- Middle and high temperature – for generating both power and heat
- Hot dry rock technology – still being developed