Exploring opportunities for recovering biogas from farm effluent has produced a promising low-tech solution – covered anaerobic ponds. Not only is the technology an economical way of generating energy, it also has the dual benefit of providing farmers with a solution to their wastewater management issues while helping reduce their carbon footprint.

This project will demonstrate the commercial feasibility of producing bio-oil by the conversion of algae biomass that has been grown in wastewater treatment facilities. In particular we aim to maximise algae production in High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) by adding carbon dioxide, and demonstrate energy efficient conversion of algal biomass to bio-oil.

The project advances New Zealand's understanding of how climate variability and change affects electricity generation, demand, and transmission in New Zealand, and how best to manage and plan for climate-related opportunities and risks in the electricity system.