Public Seminar: Geothermal and the Quadruple Bottom Line

It has become increasingly apparently over recent decades that a purely economic model isn’t compatible with sustainability, and that businesses and industries need to think more broadly about the environment and communities they operate within to be viable in the long-run.

This year’s public seminar will introduce the concept of the Quadruple Bottom Line, why this is important for our future, and what our local geothermal industry is doing to deliver to this.

Key note speaker Andy Blair, chair of the International Geothermal Association, will explain what the Quadruple Bottom Line is about and why this is important for everyone's future, and the role geothermal can play in this.  Presenters from Contact Energy, GNS Science, MB Century, Miraka and Geo40 will share their company's philosophies and some of the activities they undertake to ensure their presence here in the Taupo District benefits our local communities and the environment, both here and globally.  The relationship and role of local Maori in geothermal, as owners, investors, operators and employees in the industry will also be highlighted, and ways in which the industry strives to reflect Mauri values in their operations.

Public Seminar Programme HERE

Andrea ‘Andy’ Blair, President, International Geothermal Association

Andy is the President of the International Geothermal Association (The Netherlands) and co-founder of Upflow, a NZ based geothermal science, research and innovation company that builds expert teams to provide intelligent solutions to global industry. The nexus between science, business and community is where her expertise sits. She has a deep understanding of the drivers relating to the business of science, and a proven ability to turn scientific ideas into economic gains.

In her previous role as Business Development Manager at GNS Science (NZ) Andy was responsible for leading and coordinating sub-surface geothermal geoscience contracts worldwide for over 10 years. Awarded the role of Geothermal Business Development Lead for New Zealand (2017-2020), Andy was tasked with driving commercial investment in geothermal industrial direct use projects. The desired outcome was the development of large projects with significant positive impacts on local economies, communities, and the environment.

Andy has experience in leading strategic planning and tactical thinking across several industries including governance roles that required strategic investment decision making. Co-founder (2013), previous Global Chair (2013-2020) and current Global Board member for of Women in Geothermal (WING). Andy led the team that grew the organisation from 83 members to over 2500 members in 48 countries worldwide, making it the single largest geothermal association in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, WING has grown into a global movement of people, both men and woman, supporting the empowerment and advancement of women within the industry.  Andy has held a number of governance roles including Director, Geothermal Resources Association (US); Co-Chair Regional Skills Leadership Group – Bay of Plenty;  and Chair, Bay of Connections (Regional Economic Development Agency). Andy is the current Chair for online accountancy innovation company Beany (NZ) and Board Member for diversity champions Global Women (NZ).

Andy was a finalist in the 2017 and 2019 NZ Women of Influence Awards for both the Diversity and International Categories.

John Worth, CEO and Managing Director, Geo40

Sustainably and profitably recovering future minerals from geothermal fluids is a very unique challenge, and John notes that, “the opportunity to take a nascent set of technologies and to develop a team to appropriately reward the belief of our shareholders is exciting indeed.”

John has worked extensively in energy across geothermal, wind, wave and solar disciplines and holds bachelors and masters degrees in engineering and management and has undertaken post-graduate and executive studies at Oxford, Harvard and Auckland.

He is a Chartered Engineer, contributes to a number of boards, and in his spare time coaches junior rugby, swims and surfs and is an occasional surf lifeguard.

Ben Radsall, Professional Services Manager, MB Century

Ben has worked in a variety of engineering roles within energy-related industries, with a large portion of his career spent in the offshore marine industry working on power generation and environmental projects. He has wealth of experience in business development internationally.

Ben has been with MB Century since 2018 and joined the Senior Management Team in 2020 and is responsible for building the capabilities of the Professional Services team delivering the engineering, design, draughting and tendering functions of the business.

Since moving from Brighton (UK) in 2018 he has explored much of New Zealand and competed in various trail running and multisport races including the one-day Coast to Coast race. Ben now spends his time nurturing adventure into his young daughter.

Dr. Isabelle Chambefort, Senior Geothermal Geoscientist, GNS Science

Dr Isabelle Chambefort is a senior Hydrothermal Geoscientist at GNS Science Wairakei Research Centre. Isabelle has over 20 years of experience in research in magmatic-hydrothermal systems in volcanic arcs. Prior to joining GNS Science in 2010, Isabelle’s research focused on epithermal and porphyry Au-Cu deposits and magmatic volatiles in Switzerland, USA and Australia. She is currently leading the MBIE Endeavour Research Programme Geothermal: The Next Generation that investigates supercritical geothermal resources in the Taupō Volcanic Zone. She is also the principal investigator of a Marsden Programme Superhot Fluids: The origin and flux of natural greenhouse gases in volcanic areas, looking at the source and pathway of CO2 and noble gas from magmas to the geothermal surface features.

Isabelle did her Masters in France at the University of Clermont Ferrand and received her PhD from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Craig Woolacott, Senior Project Manager, Contact

Craig Woolacott is one of the senior project managers leading the Tauhara project.  He manages the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the power station construction works that Contact has with Sumitomo Corporation.  Craig works alongside Robin Baxter, a senior project manager managing the contracts that deliver the steamfield and steam separation plant, key infrastructure that secures the steam required by the power station, and the injection of geothermal separated fluid back into the reservoir.  Craig has been with Contact for a little over a year and joined the Tauhara team with a strong background in constructing geothermal power stations, having had similar roles during the constructing of Kawerau, Nga Awa Purua and Ngatamariki.

Brendan Haigh, General Manager Innovation, Miraka

Brendan Haigh is General Manager Innovation at Miraka, a Māori owned dairy processor in the Taupō district. Brendan is responsible for innovation across the business, including the development of low carbon dairy products, which leverage the world-leading position Miraka has established through its use of renewable geothermal energy.

Blandina Diamond, Project Director, He Ahi

Blandina is the Project Director for He Ahi on behalf of Te Pae o Waimihia – a Trust that represents the interest of six mana whenua hapū of the Taupō township area. He Ahi is best described as both a Clean Energy Park and an Eco Industrial Park being developed on 45 hectares of whenua in a prime location with existing geothermal infrastructure and geothermal supply. Blandina is also the Project Manager for the adjacent whenua project, He Tipu – a 25 hectare enterprise park focused on social, environmental and culture ventures that again will be harnessing the power of Clean Energy.

Blandina is the Managing Director of her very own consulting Te Wikitoria Ltd, a consulting and contracting company that delivers support and service for projects, business and governance within both private, commercial or charitable contexts. Blandina also works as the Strategist and Programme Manager for Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust’s affordable homes strategy.

Before creating her own business Blandina worked 10 years in the commercial sector in logistic, supply chain and leadership roles within Martin Brower, Tegel Foods Ltd, Australasia’s leading steelmaker ‘Bluescope’, and the largest contractor to the US Defence Force, Lockheed Martin. Blandina also served 20 years as a NZ Military officer specializing in Supply Chain, Strategy, Operations and Training design and delivery. She proudly served in West Africa and East Timor and has trained with the US, British, Australian, Malaysian and Singaporean Forces.

Blandina has also written a book in memory of her mother, which tells many stories of life-lessons between the two of them. Blandina spends much of her private time in volunteer work with her hapū and iwi focusing on retaining the Māori culture, protecting their assets and rights and helping whānau with their businesses.

This event is free to attend, but pre-registration will be required.

Tickets are limited to 100 people, so save your seat today!