Process heat is the energy used as heat mainly by the industrial and commercial sectors for industrial processes, manufacturing, and warming spaces, and even refrigeration.
EECA group manager delivery and partnerships Richard Briggs believed forestry owners and biomass suppliers in Hawke’s Bay could expect significant demand for wood fuel as the region looks toward renewable energy solutions for industrial processing, saying “it is clear there is significant commercial opportunity for forest owners”.
“Locally sourced biomass for industry will be a win-win for the region; creating a market for the product means there will be less residue left on hillsides, increased regional energy security, and a renewable, cost-efficient fuel.”
The Hawke’s Bay Reta covers 44 sites that consume 2117 terajoules of energy and produce 121,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The report shows those who can transition sooner will reap the benefits given the volatility of gas pricing.
Energy efficiency and demand reduction are key parts of the Reta process, which hopes to lead to significant costs and energy savings alongside addressing the need for grid resilience to support increased electrification in the region.
According to the report, investment in demand reduction will meet 16% of process heat demands in Hawke’s Bay, saving between $40 million and $44m in avoided new electricity and biomass infrastructure.
Briggs noted programmes such as Reta helped with increasing expectations domestically and within export markets for cleaner products and services.
“Using information from our Reta programme, businesses can prepare for the future, understanding the process heat energy and carbon saving opportunities that are in the pipeline both now and beyond 2030.
“[The report] highlights opportunities to create greater resilience among some of Hawke’s Bay’s key sectors, such as forestry, through identifying areas for potential diversification.”
This report provides the region’s energy users and suppliers with information and tools for developing and implementing their own energy transition plan, with “some very promising projects already underway in the region” according to Briggs.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Agency chief executive Lucy Laitinen was pleased with the report’s findings.
“If we, as a region, can act on the findings and join supply and demand we could create a real win-win for industry and the environment in Hawke’s Bay.”
Hawkes Bay Forestry Group Biomass committee chairman and general manager of the Te Awahohonu Forest Trust Matt Croft said the Reta process had been pivotal for the Hawkes Bay Forestry Group in recognising the regional biomass opportunity.
“While forest owners knew of the potential demand for sustainable biomass, it was the Reta process that revealed the true scale and the potential value by bringing all the parties together,” Croft said.
“Forest owners are now excited to support Hawke’s Bay’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”
