title: Optimisation of renewable energy resources in New Zealand for process heat: An economic and supply assessment

authors: O'Leary, Jack

abstract: A significant amount of New Zealand’s greenhouse gases are emitted through the use of fossil fuels to generate process heat. New Zealand is well-placed to provide renewable energy for process heat, with a well-established plantation forestry industry that generates large amounts of renewable biomass fuel sources, and a high percentage of renewables in the electricity generation stack. Biomass and electricity could be used to reduce and eliminate reliance on fossil fuels. The important criteria for these fuel switches are to ensure that they are economic and have sufficient supply over the coming decades. 

This thesis presents a method to model and optimise the allocation of resources to give foresight around the extent biomass can provide economic process heat across regions in New Zealand. A diverse range of case studies was employed, encompassing individual sites, regional energy systems, and the South Island. These case studies were modelled and optimised in P-Graph studio and examination of the results gave key insights into several important areas: regional diversity in energy supply and demand, impact of the demand scale and temperature profile, and finally demonstrated the economic potential of interregional transport of energy dense biomass to alleviate supply deficits and reduce the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE). 

The largest impact on the LCOE was the temperature profile of the heat demand. The more heat demand below 100°C, the lower the final cost of energy. This was due to the high Coefficient of Performance of High Temperature Heat Pumps (HTHP), which were the ubiquitous fuel switching choice for below 100°C heat demand, providing LCOEs under 11 $/GJ in 2023. At these prices HTHPs are able to match or surpass the current prices for coal at 10 – 14 $/GJ. For heat demand above 100°C, biomass was the dominant choice as it provided much better economics. However, there was a wide range of LCOEs for biomass energy. This was caused by the wide range of resource, collection, and transport costs for the various biomass sources. These LCOEs ranged from 13 – 14 $/GJ for processor residues, to over 25 $/GJ for low grade export logs. 

As the size of a plant or region increases, the demand exhausts the supply of low cost biomass and must source from a larger radius, or from more costly biomass sources. This resulted in a large spread of LCOEs for the regions in the South Island, with Otago, the West Coast, and Nelson-Marlborough seeing some of the lowest weighted average LCOEs for above 100°C heat demand of between 20 and 22 $/GJ, whilst the three largest energy users, Southland, South Canterbury, and North Canterbury saw LCOEs of between 26 and 28 $/GJ for 2023. 

A key trend was established that regions with higher biomass supply saw lower LCOEs for heat demand above 100°C. Interregional transport of energy dense biomass was able to reduce the LCOE in the three regions of high demand and low biomass availability, bringing the weighted average for above 100° demand down to between 25 and 27 $/GJ for 2023. The use of interregional transport also saw the proportion of biomass used for heat demand above 100°C rise from 60% to over 90% in 2023. Supply constraints impact the use of biomass in 2037 and see the maximum economic use of biomass in heat demands above 100°C drop to 72%.

text: Optimisation of renewable energy resources in New Zealand for process heat: An economic and supply assessment A significant amount of New Zealand’s greenhouse gases are emitted through the use of fossil fuels to generate process heat. New Zealand is well-placed to provide renewable energy for process heat, with a well-established plantation forestry industry that generates large amounts of renewable biomass fuel sources, and a high percentage of renewables in the electricity generation stack. Biomass and electricity could be used to reduce and eliminate reliance on fossil fuels. The important criteria for these fuel switches are to ensure that they are economic and have sufficient supply over the coming decades. 

This thesis presents a method to model and optimise the allocation of resources to give foresight around the extent biomass can provide economic process heat across regions in New Zealand. A diverse range of case studies was employed, encompassing individual sites, regional energy systems, and the South Island. These case studies were modelled and optimised in P-Graph studio and examination of the results gave key insights into several important areas: regional diversity in energy supply and demand, impact of the demand scale and temperature profile, and finally demonstrated the economic potential of interregional transport of energy dense biomass to alleviate supply deficits and reduce the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE). 

The largest impact on the LCOE was the temperature profile of the heat demand. The more heat demand below 100°C, the lower the final cost of energy. This was due to the high Coefficient of Performance of High Temperature Heat Pumps (HTHP), which were the ubiquitous fuel switching choice for below 100°C heat demand, providing LCOEs under 11 $/GJ in 2023. At these prices HTHPs are able to match or surpass the current prices for coal at 10 – 14 $/GJ. For heat demand above 100°C, biomass was the dominant choice as it provided much better economics. However, there was a wide range of LCOEs for biomass energy. This was caused by the wide range of resource, collection, and transport costs for the various biomass sources. These LCOEs ranged from 13 – 14 $/GJ for processor residues, to over 25 $/GJ for low grade export logs. 

As the size of a plant or region increases, the demand exhausts the supply of low cost biomass and must source from a larger radius, or from more costly biomass sources. This resulted in a large spread of LCOEs for the regions in the South Island, with Otago, the West Coast, and Nelson-Marlborough seeing some of the lowest weighted average LCOEs for above 100°C heat demand of between 20 and 22 $/GJ, whilst the three largest energy users, Southland, South Canterbury, and North Canterbury saw LCOEs of between 26 and 28 $/GJ for 2023. 

A key trend was established that regions with higher biomass supply saw lower LCOEs for heat demand above 100°C. Interregional transport of energy dense biomass was able to reduce the LCOE in the three regions of high demand and low biomass availability, bringing the weighted average for above 100° demand down to between 25 and 27 $/GJ for 2023. The use of interregional transport also saw the proportion of biomass used for heat demand above 100°C rise from 60% to over 90% in 2023. Supply constraints impact the use of biomass in 2037 and see the maximum economic use of biomass in heat demands above 100°C drop to 72%.

year: 2024

title: Portfolio of compositions

authors: Tang, Xu

subjects: Music Composition

abstract: The compositions in this portfolio aim to synthesise aspects of contemporary Western classical composition with techniques from traditional Chinese classical music in a way unique to the composer. That aim generates a number of artistic and technical questions which require creative solutions. The portfolio of compositions addresses several of these issues, especially how to utilise selected performance techniques used in playing Chinese instruments such as qin, pipa and erhu on Western instruments such as the violin, cello and piano.
The portfolio includes music for a variety of ensembles. All the music was composed in 2014-15. The works span several genres, from the piano trio Bamboo Groves to the orchestral piece Shadow, Additionally, the piano trio Bamboo Groves integrates some sounds from the natural world into the composed musical texture, so stones, tree branches and water are played by the instrumentalists. The unusual and highly characterful ensemble of nine cellos, Cellophonics, which is based in the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music, inspired the composition of Sun Wukong, the story being drawn from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The theatrical monodrama Lament of Mistress Xiang Lin requires two performers playing a prepared piano along with a soprano, and uses some electronic amplification.

text: Portfolio of compositions The compositions in this portfolio aim to synthesise aspects of contemporary Western classical composition with techniques from traditional Chinese classical music in a way unique to the composer. That aim generates a number of artistic and technical questions which require creative solutions. The portfolio of compositions addresses several of these issues, especially how to utilise selected performance techniques used in playing Chinese instruments such as qin, pipa and erhu on Western instruments such as the violin, cello and piano.
The portfolio includes music for a variety of ensembles. All the music was composed in 2014-15. The works span several genres, from the piano trio Bamboo Groves to the orchestral piece Shadow, Additionally, the piano trio Bamboo Groves integrates some sounds from the natural world into the composed musical texture, so stones, tree branches and water are played by the instrumentalists. The unusual and highly characterful ensemble of nine cellos, Cellophonics, which is based in the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music, inspired the composition of Sun Wukong, the story being drawn from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The theatrical monodrama Lament of Mistress Xiang Lin requires two performers playing a prepared piano along with a soprano, and uses some electronic amplification.

year: 2015

title: An exploration of wellbeing in Hapū Wānanga through a Te Wheke framework analysis

authors: Hawaikirangi, Lena

subjects: Antenatal education

abstract: Before colonisation, Māori had comprehensive knowledge and practices around pregnancy and childbirth. With colonisation, traditional maternity knowledge and practices were replaced by western medical practices. In more recent times, antenatal education classes have played an essential role in providing information on pregnancy, birth and caring for newborns. Research reports that Māori are less likely to attend antenatal programmes and  have suggested that culturally responsive programmes may encourage better engagement by Māori. Hapū Wānanga is a kaupapa Māori antenatal education programme. No previous research has explored how whānau experience wellbeing through Hapū Wānanga. This research explores how participants experience wellbeing within the Kia Wana  Lakes Baby Service Hapū Wānanga. Three participants, including one couple, and three facilitators were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed through a framework analysis using the Te Wheke model (Pere, 1997), a comprehensive Māori model of health. Findings showed that Hapū Wānanga caters to Māori holistic views of wellbeing, as demonstrated through the Te Wheke Model (Pere, 1997). All participants reported negative experiences with mainstream antenatal services; however, whānau enjoyed their experience at Hapū Wānanga. The two dimensions that influenced participants most were whānaungatanga (kinship ties) and hā ā koro mā ā kuia mā (cultural heritage). Although whānau were empowered by their experience at Hapū Wānanga, they wanted to learn more about parenting and postpartum, mental health. Overall, my findings highlighted that culturally adapted programmes that cater to  holistic models of wellbeing could engage Māori service users in an enjoyable and empowering way. If healthcare providers are to be successful in improving indigenous peoples' wellbeing, they need to prioritise culturally adapted programmes based on holistic models of wellbeing.

text: An exploration of wellbeing in Hapū Wānanga through a Te Wheke framework analysis Before colonisation, Māori had comprehensive knowledge and practices around pregnancy and childbirth. With colonisation, traditional maternity knowledge and practices were replaced by western medical practices. In more recent times, antenatal education classes have played an essential role in providing information on pregnancy, birth and caring for newborns. Research reports that Māori are less likely to attend antenatal programmes and  have suggested that culturally responsive programmes may encourage better engagement by Māori. Hapū Wānanga is a kaupapa Māori antenatal education programme. No previous research has explored how whānau experience wellbeing through Hapū Wānanga. This research explores how participants experience wellbeing within the Kia Wana  Lakes Baby Service Hapū Wānanga. Three participants, including one couple, and three facilitators were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed through a framework analysis using the Te Wheke model (Pere, 1997), a comprehensive Māori model of health. Findings showed that Hapū Wānanga caters to Māori holistic views of wellbeing, as demonstrated through the Te Wheke Model (Pere, 1997). All participants reported negative experiences with mainstream antenatal services; however, whānau enjoyed their experience at Hapū Wānanga. The two dimensions that influenced participants most were whānaungatanga (kinship ties) and hā ā koro mā ā kuia mā (cultural heritage). Although whānau were empowered by their experience at Hapū Wānanga, they wanted to learn more about parenting and postpartum, mental health. Overall, my findings highlighted that culturally adapted programmes that cater to  holistic models of wellbeing could engage Māori service users in an enjoyable and empowering way. If healthcare providers are to be successful in improving indigenous peoples' wellbeing, they need to prioritise culturally adapted programmes based on holistic models of wellbeing.

year: 2021