Business View Oceania | September 2020

56 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA SEPTEMBER 2020 emissions trading scheme which sets the price of carbon discharged to the atmosphere. This charge applies equally to all forms of generation. Hot Topics and Research The NZ government funds primary research into geothermal resources and applications through the crown research institutes and universities. In addition, a few firms are funding pilot plants to test new chemical processes such as calcium silicate extraction and hydrogen production. Technologies under investigation include: Lithium extraction from geothermal fluids, chemical controls for mineral scaling, small scale binary plants, non-condensable-gas sequestration, reservoir stimulation, and deep (> 4000 m) drilling. The Role of the NZGA The New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA) was formed in 1992 as an affiliate of the International Geothermal Association (formed in 1986 as an incorporated society in New Zealand). Geothermalists formed the association to unite the industry and thereby promote and advance geothermal energy in New Zealand and connect internationally. To this day, the NZGA remains an independent, nongovernmental, non-political and not-for-profit organisation providing information, connections and facilitations to support the use of geothermal energy in New Zealand. The main activities this year include organising a NZ pavilion at the upcoming World Geothermal Congress, an annual industry seminar, a quarterly newsletter, a web and social media site, and submissions to government agencies. The NZGA comprises almost 200 subscriber members, 26 student members, and 25 sponsor companies and institutions. Sponsorships are tiered into gold, silver and bronze categories. Members provide most of the effort supporting NZGA activities; an elected Board of 22 oversees the annual programme and budget.