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    Opportunities and barriers to, and benefits and impacts from, papakāinga owned energy systems : a case study of Parihaka : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Management at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Quinn, Jonathan Paul
    The development of an onsite renewable energy system is seen as key to developing the community of Parihaka and sustaining the expected population increase. This research has assessed the potential options for such a system and the potential opportunities, barriers, impacts and benefits that could come as a result. It was evident from the very first community consultation that one of the most important aspects of this system would be the ownership model, with hui and workshop attendees strongly favouring a community-owned system and this was further emphasised in survey responses. Interestingly, however, the interviews told a different story with a concern over a lack of social cohesion and an imbalance of work ethic leading to a preference for a joint ownership model. For the most part, the data collection phase verified much of the literature review in that Parihaka community views reflected research to date. Examples include high levels of project support when community involvement and consultation throughout the planning phase is present, expected local employment gains and a preference for at least a joint community ownership stake in the project. However, while the survey and interview respondents felt that social barriers would pose the greatest issues the literature review noted that institutional barriers could very well pose much greater difficulties. Visual impact on the landscape from wind turbines is a major source of opposition and residents and people living in the vicinity have the right to disapprove of the aesthetics of a wind turbine. Similar opposition to the use of other RE resources can greatly impede on successful implementation levels. However, the perceived negative impacts of these RE technologies must be assessed with consideration to the fossil fuel equivalents in order to get a clearer picture. Further research opportunities exist for assessing the next stages of the planning phase, with specific regards to papakāinga land, including the preparation of a resource consent application and the legalities and considerations that must be addressed in order to increase the chances of success. Research into the specifics of the desired ownership model is also recommended, in addition to considering the ongoing community commitments needed to maintain the system.
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    Multiport power electronics circuitry for integration of renewable energy sources in low power applications : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Rehman, Zubair
    The increasing demand for electricity and the global concern about environment has led energy planners and developers to explore and develop clean energy sources. Under such circumstances, renewable energy sources (RES) have emerged as an alternative source of energy generation. Immense development has been made in renewable energy fields and methods to harvest it. To replace conventional generation system, these renewable energy sources must be sustainable, reliable, stable, and efficient. But these sources have their own distinguished characteristics. Due to sporadic nature of renewable energy sources, the uninterrupted power availability cannot be guaranteed. Handling and integration of such diversified power sources is not a trivial process. It requires high degree of efficiency in power extraction, transformation, and utilization. These objectives can only be achieved with the use of highly efficient, reliable, secure and cost-effective power electronics interface. Power electronics devices have made tremendous developments in the recent past. Numerous single and multi-port converter topologies have been developed for processing and delivering the renewable energy. Various multiport converter topologies have been presented to integrate RES, however some limitations have been identified in these topologies in terms of efficiency, reliability, component count and size. Therefore, further research is required to develop a multiport interface and to address the highlighted issues. In this work, a multi-port power electronics circuitry for integration of multiple renewable energy sources is developed. The proposed circuitry assimilates different renewable sources to power up the load with different voltage levels while maintaining high power transfer efficiency and reliability with a simple and reliable control scheme. This research work presents a new multiport non-isolated DC-DC buck converter. The new topology accommodates two different energy sources at the input to power up a variable load. The power sources can be employed independently and concurrently. The converter also has a bidirectional port which houses a storage device like battery to store the surplus energy under light load conditions and can serve as an input source in case of absence of energy sources. The new presented circuitry is analytically examined to validate its effectiveness for multiport interface. System parameters are defined and the design of different components used, is presented. After successful mathematical interpretation, a simulation platform is developed in MATLAB/Simscape to conduct simulations studies to verify analytical results and to carry out stability analysis. In the final stage, a low power, low voltage prototype model is developed to authenticate the results obtained in simulation studies. The converter is tested under different operating modes and variable source and load conditions. The simulation and experimental results are compiled in terms of converter’s efficiency, reliability, stability. The results are presented to prove the presented topology as a highly reliable, stable and efficient multiport interface, with small size and minimum number of components, for integration of renewable energy sources.
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    The renewable energy and energy efficiency potential of Waitakere City : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Technology in Energy Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2005) Grooby, Lloyd D
    Electricity restrictions and blackouts have occurred in Waitakere City in the past and are likely to occur again in the future unless the city can become more self reliant by meeting, at least in part, the increasing energy requirements for what is one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand. In this study the potentials for energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy resources have been broadly quantified and assessed using desktop analysis of publicly available data for stationary final use energy systems (i.e. excluding transportation) within the geographical area of Waitakere City and adjoining waters. It was found that energy efficiency and energy conservation measures can consistently and predictably achieve overall energy savings and reduce daily and seasonal peak demand. The best renewable energy resource potential exists with solar and geothermal for heating applications and wave, offshore and inshore wind and tidal currents for electricity generation. There is very limited potential for hydro and bioenergy systems beyond what already exists. PV solar and land based wind power generation are currently only feasible for limited off-grid applications. This scoping study confirms the achievability of the vision expressed in Waitakere City Council's "Long Term Council Community Plan" (LTCCP) that by 2020 " Waitakere City will be an energy cell, not an energy sink. Air quality supports good health". A range of flagship projects have been identified to progress the achievement of this vision. Waitakere City Council can use this report as part of the development of a comprehensive energy management plan.
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    Community owned and operated renewable energy schemes in rural New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) Irving, Glenn
    Due to the introduction of the Electricity Act (1992) and its later amendments, the future security of electricity supply to rural New Zealand is under question. Lines companies are legally obliged to maintain supply to existing customers until April 1st 2013, but can disconnect unprofitable customers after this date. One option for rural customers is to establish their own community owned and operated renewable energy schemes. This study is the first step in identifying the engineering design, ownership, and environmental issues relating to this type of scheme. Two case study sites - one in the North Island and one in the South Island - differed in their remoteness, population density and primary income sources. Solar radiation and wind was measured at both sites. Power consumption data was also obtained from meters installed at the sites by Industrial Research Limited. A review of legal ownership structures suitable for community owned electricity generation schemes was made and recommendations given from a New Zealand lawyer. Environmental issues associated with the development of electricity generating plants were identified, along with the implications of the Resource Management Act for renewable energy schemes. A computer model was designed to assist a community in understanding the supply options available. It is based on present day costs of system components, and is designed to give maximum flexibility of design to the model user depending on resource availability. For each site a number of options were identified and the costs of these options quantified. Comparisons were made between the options to identify the best for the site.
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    The role of renewable energy in the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in rural South-East Asia and the South Pacific : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2007) Cole, Peter
    Access to an affordable and reliable supply of energy is an accepted part of our day to day lives. While the increasing price of oil and environmental issues are of concern, the great majority of people in developed countries are not yet faced with the prospect of energy becoming unaffordable or unavailable. The situation in developing countries is far less comfortable where the purchase of energy can account for 25% of total household income and price increases can mean that an energy source becomes no longer affordable. Given that energy supplies underpin economic and social development, such situations can not only hold up development and the consequential move out of poverty but actually move people further away from this goal. This thesis examines the role of energy in people's livelihoods in two locations, one in South East Asia and the other in the South Pacific. The first of these comprises six farming villages in the Kerinci Valley in Sumatra while the second is Niue Island. Both these communities rely heavily on energy supplies but in very different ways, this being a function of the different economic situation that applies in each location. Both communities have renewable energy resources which are yet to be used or yet to be used effectively or sustainably. The sustainable livelihoods approach is used to analyse existing livelihoods with particular reference to the role of energy. The available renewable energy resources are identified and the impact that increased use of these could have in terms of livelihood outcomes is determined. The conclusion is that renewable energy has the potential to contribute to the achievement of sustainable livelihoods. However, while the outcomes are positive, renewable energy will not by itself achieve the transformation necessary for sustainable livelihoods. There are also barriers to the implementation of renewable energy programmes, not the least being access to funding.
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    Climate change : a global issue : is a renewable energy target an effective response for the New Zealand electricity sector? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Dyson, Tracy Jennifer
    The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the effectiveness of a mandatory renewable energy target (MRET) in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector. New Zealand's electricity sector emissions have grown at a rapid rate over the last decade ( + 19%) due to an increasing reliance on thermal generation plant. Since the mid 1980's there has been increasing scientific evidence and acceptance that GHG emissions caused by human activity are reducing the amount of solar heat that would otherwise be radiated back out into space leading to climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found new and stronger evidence that most of the observed warming of the past 50 years is attributable to human activities. The IPCC findings show potential for significant changes in temperature ( 1.4-5.8°C by 2100), rainfall patterns and sea level (9-88cm by 2100) and adverse weather events. This will impact on the global economy, the natural environment and the quality of life for present and future generations. The Kyoto Protocol is the international vehicle for fighting anthropogenic climate change by reducing GHG emissions. Despite the US withdrawal from the Protocol in 200 l, it could still enter into force and countries that ratify it could have legally binding GHG emission responsibilities by late 2002. Domestic policy and legislation presently under development will guide New Zealand's efforts to reduce GHGs and meet its future Kyoto Protocol commitments. To assess the impact of a possible MRET, a tool was developed which evaluates the effect of five different MRET scenarios on the electricity sector's GHG emissions, the wholesale price of electricity and the level of renewable energy supply. It was found that an MRET is an effective method of reducing GHGs and increasing the level of renewable energy supply, however this effectiveness depends on the level of the target. The higher the target the higher the electricity price, which will also increase if inappropriate investment decisions lead to plant redundancy or oversupply of the market. Implementing energy efficiency measures with an MRET further reduces GHG emissions. If existing renewable generation was prioritised over thermal generation then environmental outcomes are further improved.