Matiu Island to install renewable energy system

Tenders are being invited for the supply and installation of a renewable energy system on Wellington's Matiu/Somes Island.

The project, which will see diesel generation replaced with a system harnessing energy from wind, water and the sun, is a partnership between the Department of Conservation, the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and Industrial Research Limited. It is being led by the Harbour Islands Kaitiaki Board.

"This project will significantly reduce our diesel requirements and corresponding costs, freeing up resources for delivering more conservation work on the island DOC's Poneke Area manager Rob Stone said.

"It is important for the protection and well-being of the island to install a sustainable energy system that is long lasting and effective, said Mark Te One, Chairman of the Harbour Islands Kaitiaki Board. "As the owners and joint managers of the harbour islands, we are obligated as mana whenua and members of the community to achieve the best outcomes," he added.

Matiu/Somes Island is an ideal showcase for sustainable energy in the middle of Wellington Harbour as it receives around 20,000 visitors a year.

Mr Stone said that a renewable power supply, which could include solar panels and a small wind turbine, would complement the measures already underway to reduce energy requirements on the island and was part of DOC's wider strategy to reduce its reliance on diesel generation.

EECA's spokesperson Joseph Mayhew said that in situations where electricity generation was primarily from diesel, renewable energy often proved a much more cost effective alternative, as well as delivering environmental benefits.

"You would expect a renewable energy system for the island to save around 5000 litres of diesel, 14,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide, and over $15,000 each year. This is a win-win arrangement that will provide cheaper electricity for DOC and have tremendous environmental benefits."

The project will also include groundbreaking technology designed by IRL in the form of a distributed hydrogen energy system dubbed 'hylink'. The system works by capturing renewable energy from a wind turbine or photovoltaic solar cells. This energy then powers an electrolyser that extracts hydrogen from water by separating it into hydrogen and oxygen molecules.

The low pressure hydrogen fuel gas is delivered by pipeline to a fuel cell to produce electricity. As well as transporting the energy, the system also stores hydrogen in the pipeline so that a supply of energy can be maintained even when the wind is not blowing.

IRL distributed and hydrogen energy team manager Alister Gardiner from said technological advances are making renewable energy more attractive.

"Being energy efficient and investing in renewable energy is better for the environment we live in and good value for money as the system pays for itself over time," said Gardiner.

Work is expected to commence in July, and be completed later in the year. The island will continue to be open to visitors for the duration of the project.

Water and sewage systems on the island will be upgraded at a later stage of the overall energy project.