"There's clearly a need for alternative energy to bring power to remote parts of New Zealand, as well as a sustainable and renewable device to combat high electricity costs," he said, adding that he had watched water leaving Waikato dams and despairing at the sight of "all that wasted energy going downstream".
"The chief complaints I've heard from people here are that power costs are through the roof, there's a big resistance to offshore oil exploration, and a desire to have a renewable, sustainable energy source, and the Eco-Auger becomes even more viable in those regards," he said.
A solitary unit could be effective in any given location, but multiple units would obviously generate more energy.
Mr McNamara described the Hokianga Harbour as a potential location, although he appreciated that extensive consultation with local residents, iwi and local governments would be needed.
In the meantime, he was continuing a crusade to promote awareness of the design, which had included initiating talks with Ministry of Energy officials, searching for venture capitalists prepared to invest in further development of the concept, and doing the rounds with "thinking" power companies that would be prepared to invest in clean, sustainable ways of harnessing and storing natural energy.
"I'm not a competitor but a supplement to what (power companies) are already doing," he said.
"Companies right now are looking at renewables to be part of their arsenals for the future."
Mr McNamara can be contacted at ecoauger.media@gmail.com
