Pumped Storage Electricity - Lake Onslow

[Brent George]

Stuff - Otago: 16-May-2022
Earl Bardsley is living proof that one man can make a difference – in this case to New Zealand’s electricity supply.

In 2002, Bardsley, honorary associate professor at the University of Waikato, came up with the idea of using Lake Onslow in Central Otago as a reliable power storage facility to meet the country’s electricity needs during dry years.

The “dry year problem” refers to the fact that, although blessed with an abundance of hydro-generating lakes and rivers, New Zealand runs into problems when lake levels are low.

[Brent George]

Government to take Lake Onslow power project forward despite $16b price tag
Stuff - Business: 16-Mar-2023

The Government will develop a detailed business case for a pumped hydro scheme at Lake Onslow, despite estimating it would cost $16 billion to build.

But Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods indicated that it would continue hedging its bets for now by also continuing to examine the viability of an alternative, “multi-technology” plan to achieve the same goals as Lake Onslow.

Both Lake Onslow and the alternative would be designed to ensure the country had enough electricity in “dry years” when normal hydro generation was low and once the use of fossil fuels to bridge any gaps and meet peak demand was phased out.