Electricity in New Zealand

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Electricity is the number one energy source used in New Zealand, derived from hydroelectric generation, thermal generation (burning natural gas, coal and oil) and converting wind and geothermal energy. Burning bio-waste emissions from land-fills is starting to take hold.

Contents

[edit] History

The first hydro-electric power station was built at Horahora, now located under the Horahora Bridge deep beneath the surface of lake Karapiro. Horahora was built to supply electricity for the Martha gold mines at Waihi. Between 1929 and 1971, eight dams and nine powerhouses were built on the Waikato River to meet demand.

[edit] Generation

Wind turbine - eco Electricity
Wind turbine - eco Electricity

The installed generating capacity of New Zealand as at January 2004 was 8642 Megawatts.[1] This is made up by approximately 60% hydroelectric and 30% conventional thermal generation.

  • Hydroelectric - Major hydro river schemes are the Waikato and the Clutha. Approximately 4000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity is generated annually by the Waikato River scheme, which is around 13% of New Zealand's total electrical generating capacity.
  • Natural gas
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Wind
  • Geothermal
  • Bio-Waste
  • Nuclear - Currently none.
  • Solar - Currently none, considered for the future.
  • Wave - Currently none, considered for the future.

[edit] Transmission

Electricity Transmission across Tongariro National Park
Electricity Transmission across Tongariro National Park

[edit] Distribution

  • Transformers
  • 11kv sub networks
  • 400V 3phase industrial
  • 230V single phase domestic

[edit] Economics and Marketing process

Main article: New Zealand Electricity Market
  • Generation companies

Generation is dominated by five companies: Meridian Energy Limited, Contact Energy Limited, Genesis Power Limited, Mighty River Power Limited and TrustPower Limited.

  • Network companies

Vector Limited, electricity.org.nz

  • Retailers

Meridian, Contact/Empower, Genesis/Energy Online, Mighty River Power/Mercury Energy, Trustpower, Bay of Plenty Electricity, King Country Electricity.

[edit] Issues

  • Pollution
  • Non-Renewable consumption
  • Renewable energy. Solar driven energy is considered to be the future solution to most of the issues, the sun drives the wind, tides, waves and can directly heat liquid to expand, driving turbines as it does. Info on renewable energy in New Zealand is at [TeAra Earth, Sea, And Sky]

[edit] Legislation

[edit] Education

History
Amataeur Radio Certificate -
Electricity 1 was taught by private individuals as part of the preparation for a Ham license. The license required a pass in two exams, theory (radio and electricity technical) and regulations (law).
High School -
Up to 1970, Basic Electricity 1 was taught at technical colleges for Science at 4th form level, Electricity 1 for School Certificate at 5th form level, and within Physics for University Entrance, 6th form level.
Technical Institute -
Electricity level 1 was taught as the entry level for a variety of courses, particularly for radio, telephone and telegraph technician trainees, beginning New Zealand Certificate in Engineering courses.
Electricity level 2 was taught for second year students.
Correspondence School -
Electricity 1 and 2 were mandatory course for trainees within the government system, where multiple 2 month block courses were held at different start times for each year, to maintain some kind of continuity from the course to the examinations, which were external and at the end of each year.
(note) Technical English was also a required subject.
It was thus possible for some New Zealanders to be exposed to basic electrical theory in 6 repeated courses, a very inefficient system.

[edit] References

  1. ^ International Electricity Installed Capacity Data, Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/electricitycapacity.html