RESPEC PROJECT

RESPEC led a feasibility study to supply approximately 100 megawatts thermal to a greenhouse located next to the 205-megawatt electrical Mokai Power Station. The facility was built in 1999 as a 55‑megawatt (MW) geothermal power station, which expanded by 40 MW in 2005. In 2007, the plant capacity increased to 110 MW. The Tuaropaki Power Company, owners of the power station, is 75 percent owned by the Tuaropaki Trust and 25 percent by Mercury Energy (formerly Mighty River Power). In collaboration with the PB Power (now Thorndon Cook) and Gourmet Mokai staff, RESPEC’s team performed a feasibility study with coproduction and system management of the Mokai power plant, resource production facility, and well field. This study confirmed the project’s commercial viability, and a cascade system was used, allowing the operation of the new facility without additional wells. After the Gourmet Mokai board members approved the project, RESPEC managed the budget and contractors to install the geothermally heated greenhouse, geothermal piping, instrumentation, and commissioning, as well as lead the startup.

Stages:
4. Well Drilling, Resource Production, and Power Plant and Transmission Line Construction
5. Start-up and Operation