Research and reports

Within its property portfolio, Manakau City Council has a range of premises, predominantly swimming pools, which are suited for conversion to wood as the principle source of heat energy.
Such a move would bring both cost savings and improved  environmental performance, whilst at the same time retaining value from the Council's expenditureon energy in the local economy

The Brightwater Hog Feed System was initially designed for Blue Mountain Lumber sawmill in Southland. The sawmill generates significant quantities of green sawdust, wood shavings, and lumber off-cuts which is utilised for a 10MWth steam and electricity co-generation plant.

A feasibility study to investigate the most appropriate heating option for Mt Difficulty Winery was undertaken by Transitionz Group Limited under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's (EECA) Wood Energy Grant Scheme. Mt Difficulty is in the early stages of expanding the winery and it was identified that the current heating system was not suitable and a replacement system is being reconsidered as part of the expansion. The study looks at several technologies, solar hot water, ground-source heat pumps and wood pellet and chip boilers, to replace the current gas boiler system.

The rising cost of natural gas prompted Tatua Co-operative Dairy Factory near Hamilton to look at alternative energy sources to run its boilers.
Wood-fired boilers are common in sawmills and wood processing plants, but are yet to be used in a New Zealand dairy factory. Tatua's site engineer Jack van Lankveld says they were motivated by a desire to be more self-sufficient and environmentally friendly.
"If the [gas] supply went down we would have to stop operating. There's also the whole carbon issue to think about - this is something that is becoming increasingly important."