Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Hydroelectric power plants

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    'Dammed by diversion' : the Tongariro Power Development Project and the clash between conservation and development, 1955-1983 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in History at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Caske, Shane E
    This thesis examines the clash of values between Conservation and Development. To examine this the Tongariro Power Development Project is used as an example of the ongoing struggle between the two perspectives. The first chapter explores the development of Hydro-electricity as the premier energy source in New Zealand. The rise of hydro-electricity was not plain sailing, attitudes waxed and waned over time. The second chapter discusses the growth of concern for conservation and how it ultimately came to a head to head clash with hydro-electric development. Chapter three describes the Tongariro Development, explaining exactly what was constructed and the reasons for this. Chapter four discusses the debate over the Tongariro Development. The government anticipated some criticism, but the chapter argues they were off the mark with their planning. They did not expect the widespread negative reaction which is explored in chapter four. Chapter five links these early protests with challenges to the Tongariro Development in the planning tribunals. A conclusion suggests that the Tongariro Development remains a live and contested issue.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Renewable energy system design : a guide to the application of photovoltaic, wind, and micro-hydro power : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science in Agricultural Engineering at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1992) Weiss, Samuel David
    The primary objective of this study was to produce a guide for the application of photovoltaic, wind, and micro-hydro power to remote areas. The applications considered are those of generating electricity, and pumping water. An extensive literature review introduces and covers the main design considerations for each energy form. The primary decision-making areas are then examined, beginning with a look at the theory of electricity, and going on to discuss generators, inverters, energy storage, and mechanical transmission. Next, the assessment of the demand over a given time interval is considered. The key questions of, "How big a system is required?", and, "How much energy will be produced?", are addressed for each energy form, along with various design considerations. For each of the energy forms the issue of quantifying the resource is examined in detail. The factors influencing the amount of power available are presented for each. This process of quantifying the power available is essential in order to be able to choose the optimum type of renewable energy to use for a given application in a specified location. Dealing with them together in one document allows the different energy forms to be assessed side.by side, and a preliminary decision on the most promising type made. For both wind and photovoltaic energy a computer model was created. drawing on available theory, in order to generate charts to assist in the design process. The photovoltaic design charts enable sunshine hour data to be converted to radiation in Kwh/m2, and radiation on a horizontal plane to be converted to that received on a plane inclined at a specified angle. Other charts were produced which enable the most cost effective combination of array and battery to be selected for a given situation. The wind charts specify the amount of power which can be produced from a wind turbine with given characteristics operating in a specified wind regime. The photovoltaic and wind design charts produced by the models enable the size of the relevant system required to be determined for a given situation. This information then allows a costing to be done to determine the cost of generating energy with a particular method. The procedure for evaluating and determining the true cost of the energy produced. based on life cycle costing, is then examined. This can then be used to assess the most economical means of meeting any particular demand.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of government in setting an appropriate environment for public infrastructure development : a case study of hydropower development in Lao PDR : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) MacGeorge, Richard B.
    The role of government in setting an appropriate environment for public infrastructure development is explored to understand whether there are strong links between infrastructure, development and government. In examining this subject, a number of related issues are also considered, including why infrastructure is important to development, how managing resources well leads to better infrastructure outcomes and why is it essential that infrastructure is managed more effectively. Each of these leads to a better understanding of the roles government should play in infrastructure management. The methodology is designed to develop a definition for infrastructure and understand what the literature says about the links between government, development and infrastructure. The manner in which infrastructure has been provided historically is also considered and this research supports a system of infrastructure management. The system is then investigated through a hydropower project in Laos that is examined as a qualitative case study. The links between government, development and infrastructure are found to be strong in this thesis, but governments have had mixed involvement in infrastructure provision through the ages. At the end of the last century government is seen to have increasingly engaged with the private sector in a structured way. The core roles of government that cannot be left to others are found to include planning, procurement and regulation of infrastructure outcomes. These roles should be delivered within an overarching national infrastructure plan that is carried out by a centralised Infrastructure Management Unit. The case study project highlights some enhancements that can be made to the system proposed in the thesis and helps explain why there are sometimes exceptions to application of the whole system, although exceptions should be limited because caseby- case project development is suboptimal to initiatives that are formed as part of a national infrastructure planning process.