永續性潔淨能源發展於紐西蘭酪農業的可行性研究

Abstract

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”Albert Einstein

The central proposition of this study states that exploring natural gas as a clean fossil fuel option is seen as a pragmatic approach when combined with commercial innovation, particularly when it comes to long-term supply and demand sustainability options, and in meeting environmental concerns. More importantly, it addresses the long-term sustainability of New Zealand’s dairy industry by maximising energy efficiency and minimising energy and operating costs, contributing to feasible options for lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and creating future stability in terms of capital and operational cost structures.For this to be achieved the study explores options associated with combining fuel cell technology to generate electricity from natural gas. There is little doubt that the agricultural sector is one of New Zealand’s largest GHG emitters. The need to start investing in cleaner technologies is one of a number of measures to achieve sustainable transformation over the next 20 to 40 years and beyond in both an economic and environmental context. It requires a combined effort in terms of sound policy, government and industry leadership, and stakeholder cooperation and agreement to build and shape the future required to meet global energy and climate goals. The study will set out to establish that continued success of the New Zealand dairy industry depends on its ability to take a lead position in promoting innovative investment in clean energy technology, infrastructure development, and the promotionof a sustainable environment. To maintain global competitiveness the dairy industry cannot rely upon utility companies to drive the development and use of changing energy forms to contribute to industry trade expansion, profitability, and long-term sustainable economic growth for New Zealand. “Economic growth and technological change are accompanied by what the great economist Joseph Schumpeter called creative destruction. They replace the old with the new. New sectors attract resources away from old ones. New firms take business away from established ones. New technologies make existing skills and machines obsolete.” (Acemoglu& Robinson, 2012, p. 84). Bold new decisions will need to be taken to forge ahead with the adoption of cleaner energy sources and smarter technology to meet future energy needs. This will become critical given New Zealand’s ageing hydro-electricity infrastructure and the high capital cost of new generation resources in a country that is geographically isolated from world markets. The study concludes with recommendations and suggestions for future research on the development of a sustainable clean energy source in the form of an off-the-grid power generation system for the New Zealand dairy industry.