Unlocking the Potential of Geothermal Energy for Sustainable Food Production

In a groundbreaking move, the geothermal consultancy business Upflow has been granted the green light to embark on a research project aimed at developing a sustainable, off-grid geothermal-powered glasshouse concept. Co-funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) through the sustainable food and fibre futures fund, this 18-month project holds the promise of revolutionizing the way we approach food production, particularly in regions with abundant geothermal resources.

Revolutionizing Geothermal Food Production

Bridging the Off-Grid Gap

Geothermal food production technology is not a novel concept, but it has traditionally relied on power generated by industrial power plants. Gourmet Mokai near Taupo, for instance, utilizes the nearby Mokai geothermal power station to heat and power its glasshouses. However, Upflow's design takes a different approach, aiming to harness low-heat geothermal areas like Te Puke and Paeroa to power its off-grid glasshouses. This innovative approach holds the potential to unlock new regions for sustainable food production, reducing the reliance on centralized power grids and the associated costs.

Addressing the Carbon Dioxide Conundrum

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a crucial component in plant photosynthesis, but its natural occurrence in glasshouses is often insufficient. As a result, growers have resorted to purchasing and pumping CO2 into their glasshouses to boost plant growth. However, this practice comes with a significant financial burden, as the supply of CO2 in New Zealand and Australia is limited, leading to high prices. Upflow's design aims to address this challenge by incorporating a self-sustaining supply of CO2, eliminating the need for growers to rely on external sources and the associated costs.

Unlocking the Potential of Low-Heat Geothermal Areas

One of the key innovations in Upflow's design is its ability to utilize low-heat geothermal areas for food production. Unlike existing geothermal food production systems that require high-temperature geothermal resources, Upflow's concept can harness the energy from lower-temperature geothermal sources, opening up new possibilities for sustainable food production in regions that were previously considered unsuitable. This versatility could significantly expand the geographic reach of geothermal-powered food production, making it accessible to a wider range of communities and industries.

Towards a Demonstration Facility

The 18-month project funded by the MPI's sustainable food and fibre futures fund aims to culminate in the construction of a demonstration facility where Upflow's geothermal-powered glasshouse concept can be put to the test. This critical step will allow for the validation of the design's performance, efficiency, and scalability, paving the way for potential widespread adoption and the realization of the project's transformative potential.

Unlocking the Future of Sustainable Food Production

Upflow's groundbreaking project represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable food production. By leveraging the abundant geothermal resources available in regions like Te Puke and Paeroa, the company is poised to redefine the way we approach food cultivation, reducing reliance on traditional power sources and addressing the challenges posed by limited CO2 supplies. As the project progresses and the demonstration facility takes shape, the potential for this innovative approach to transform the food production landscape becomes increasingly evident, offering a glimpse into a more sustainable and self-sufficient future.