This year Dobbie presented at the annual Geothermal Workshop and updated the NZ geothermal industries on recent Direct Heat projects that Dobbie have provided design expertise for. These projects covered a range of industries (wellness, bathing, industrial and commercial) and included:

• Pukeroa Lakefront Holdings, Wai Ariki Spa in Rotorua. Design included the geothermal heating and bathing fluid services.
• Geo40’s Ohaaki demonstration silica extraction plant including high pressure fluid delivery, pressure and safety controls.
• Preliminary design of a large 22MW industrial direct heat use plant for Contact Energy.
• Ashcroft Estate Rotorua are developing a new 50 home gated community. Dobbie have assisted with obtaining geothermal consents and concept design for pool heating.
• Te Puia Springs East Cape has a range of low grade geothermal springs. Dobbie evaluated the energy potential, options to commercialise this use for glass houses, space, water heating or bathing facilities.
• Miraka Dairy utilise clean steam generated from geothermal resources. Dobbie have assisted Miraka to optimise this steam use and improve reliability.
• OJIFS Kawerau plan to replace some existing boiler capacity with geothermal generated clean steam. To facilitate this Dobbie are designing a 1500m long steam pipeline to transport steam to Oji.
• Ngati Tuwharetoa Geothermal Assets currently operate a 26 t/hr clean steam plant in Kawerau. Dobbie are assisting with the purchase of new heat exchanger bundles and plant upgrades to increase the plant capacity.
• CHH Wood Products have commissioned two new continuous kilns utilising geothermal steam. Dobbie assisted with the concept design and delivery of the steam systems.
• The Auckland area has a number of low grade geothermal springs. Dobbie have reviewed options to provide year round bathing experiences.

These projects demonstrate the active use of these renewable geothermal resources and Dobbie’s capacity to assist in their development.