RESPEC PROJECT

While working for Mercury, Dr. Dan Hoyer led a feasibility study to supply approximately 100 MWt geothermal fluids to a paper mill located near the 100 MWe Kawarau Power Plant, well field, and resource production system. The pulp and paper plant, which processed logs from the nearby Kaingoroa forest, was built in the 1950s and relied on geothermal steam as a power source. To replace the gas heater on a digestion tank, Dan worked with SKM (now Jacobs Engineering) and Carter Holt Harvey staff to perform a feasibility study with co-production and system management from the new Kawarau Power Plant. The study demonstrated that the project was commercially viable, with the potential for direct heat use and power generation to increase overall efficiency. The Carter Holt Harvey and Mercury Boards approved the project. Dan managed the budget and contractors to drill wells; installed the geothermally heated processing tanks, piping, and instrumentation; commissioned; and led the startup.

Stages
5. Startup and Operations
6. Direct Heat Use