GeoHeat for Horticulture Workshop

Several existing and emerging crop systems use glasshouse or indoor systems to enable a controlled environment, to both optimise production and overcome seasonality.  However, these systems typically require heat energy, often coupled with higher electricity needs.  With New Zealand having clear targets to decarbonise energy consumption by 2050 and transition users to renewable energy sources, growers are looking at ways to switch away from fossil fuels, ideally without being beholden to fluctuating electricity prices.

Geoheat is well-placed to play an increasingly important role as New Zealand transitions to a renewable energy future. Geoheat is a renewable off-grid cost-effective heat energy source, delivering a range of temperatures from 4 oC (refrigeration) up to 200oC. It is already used for glasshouse heating in New Zealand, as well as dairy processing, timber processing and aquaculture.  Geoheat has been used extensively in the Netherlands to decarbonise their glasshouse-based production systems; this is established, proven technology.  Other applications overseas include biotech, microalgae, floriculture and food processing.

This workshop is designed for owners, operators, investors, energy professionals and others with an interest in glasshouse or indoor systems for horticulture, including tropical fruit production, floriculture, vertical farming and algal-based production systems.  The session will:

·  Recap the drivers to decarbonise energy sources.

·  Give an introduction to geoheat.

·  Provide an overview of New Zealand’s geoheat profile.

·  Highlight where geoheat is currently available.

·  Share plans to identify additional potential sources of geoheat throughout New Zealand.

Please register to attend.  Any enquiries about the event program, please contact Celia Wells c.wells@gns.cri.nz from GNS Science.