6 Apr 2010
Scouts from Hawaii-based sustainable energy firm Merica have been in New Zealand investigating the potential for a biofuels industry drawn from wood waste, according to a Fairfax media report.
The company's chief technology officer Robert Rapier and colleagues met government, research and forestry companies last week.
"We are trying to determine if our technologies mesh up with well with the biomass resources and the demand for power [primarily diesel and jet fuel] in New Zealand."
However, there were some major calculations to make first, such as the cost of refining and transporting the wood, compared to other fuels. A crucial element was whether enough biomass could be sustainably grown and still leave enough for the logging industry, and enough waste to nourish the soil.
Mr Rapier said Merica was funded by two wealthy philanthropists.
"I think they're both pretty committed to investing in New Zealand. They're both familiar with New Zealand, they've spent time here, they like the country a lot, and they feel it's ideally situated for what we're trying to do."
Mr Rapier said New Zealand was similar to the "Big Island" of Hawaii in that it had a low population, big biomass sector and largely imported its fuels.
"Our theory is that we could be sustainable there on Hawaii and our view is New Zealand could be sustainable because of your remote location and the amount of biomass you have."
Mr Rapier said the ultimate aim would be to build a large biofuel refinery, which would take three to five years. The wood could be turned into a charcoal-like product or a liquid fuel, which was probably too dirty for diesel engines but ideal for power production.
"But your power here in New Zealand is very cheaply priced. So it may be hard to beat and use that for electricity generation."
To read the full story, click here.
