Skip to main content
Log in

Electric power generation from geothermal steam at Wairakei, New Zealand

  • Published:
Bulletin Volcanologique Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The geology of the volcanic belt of the North Island of New Zealand is outlined and a description is given of the structure at Wairakei where holes drilled to depths from 300 to 4000 ft (100 to 1240 m.) produce a mixture of steam and water from which 20 MW of electricity is being generated (August 1959). Equipment is being installed to increase this figure first to 69 MW and later 150 MW.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Selected Bibliography

  • 1953:Hydrothermal Rock Alteration at Wairakei, New Zealand -A. Steiner; Economic Geology48, 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 1955:Geothermal Steam for Power in New Zealand - Compiled byL. I. Grange; D.S.I.R. Bulletin 117.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1955:The Heat from the Wairakei-Taupo Thermal Region Calculated from the Chloride Output-A. J. Ellis andS. H. Wilson; N.Z. J.S.T.36 (6B), 622.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1955:Wairakite, the Calcium Analogue of Analcime, a new Zeolite Mineral -A. Steiner, Mineralogical MagazineXXX, (230), 691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 1956:Preliminary Account of Hydrothermal Conditions at Wairakei, N. Z. -J. Healy; Proc. 8 Pacific Sci. Congress II, 214.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1957:The New Zealand Thermal Area and its Development for Power Production -C. J. Banwell; Trans. A.S.M.E.79 (2), 255.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1957:Flow Sampling and Discharge Measurement in Geothermal Bores -C. J. Banwell; Trans. A.S.M.E.79 (2), 269.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1957:Corrosion by Low Pressure Geothermal Steam -T. Marshall andA. J. Hugill; Corrosion13, 59.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1957:Wairakei Hydrothermal System and the Influence of Ground Water -F. E. Studt; N.Z. J.S.T.38 (6B), 595.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1957:Physics of the New Zealand Thermal Area -C. J. Banwell, E. R. Cooper, G. E. K. Thompson, K. J. McCree, D.S.I.R. Bulletin 123.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1958:Natural Heat Flow from the Thermal Areas of Taupo Sheet District N94 -D. R. Gregg, N.Z. J. Geol. Geophys.1, 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1958:Stress Corrosion of Austenitic Stainless Steel in Geothermal Steam -T. Marshall, Corrosion14, 59.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1958:The Wairakei Hydrothermal Field under Exploitation -F. E. Studt; N.Z.J. Geol. and Geophys.1, 703.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1958:Production and Utilisation of Geothermal Steam -J. H. Smith; N.Z. Engineering13, 354.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1958:Geophysical Reconnaissance at Kawerau, New Zealand -F. E. Studt; N. Z. J. Geol. and Geophys.1, 219.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1959:The Hot Springs and Hydrothermal Eruptions of Waiotapu -E. F. Lloyd; N.Z.J. Geol. and Geophys.2, 141.

    Google Scholar 

  • 1959:Electricity from Geothermal Steam -E. L. E. Wheatcroft; J.I.E.E.5, 83. (In press):The Geological Structure and Volcanism of the Taupo-Tarawera District -N. Modriniak andF. E. Studt; N.Z.J. Geol. and Geophys.2.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Studt, F.E., Doyle, D. Electric power generation from geothermal steam at Wairakei, New Zealand. Bull Volcanol 23, 277–282 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02596656

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02596656

Keywords

Navigation