In March, we had the pleasure of hosting Bryan Leyland, a distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers, New Zealand. With extensive experience in wind, solar, tidal, and wave power, Bryan shared his insights on achieving net zero by 2050. Key Points from Bryan’s Talk:
Challenges of Renewable Energy: Wind and solar are intermittent, requiring costly energy storage and backup systems.
New Zealand’s Energy Needs: To meet renewable energy demands, NZ would need to triple its generating capacity, a massive and questionable financial undertaking.
Current Energy Mix: Reliance on hydro and geothermal is risky, especially during dry years. Eliminating coal and gas, which provide 16% of electricity, adds to the challenge.
Economic Impact: High costs and price volatility of renewable energy could harm industries and lead to economic hardship.
Alternative Solutions: Bryan suggests considering nuclear power and more efficient fossil fuel technologies to reduce emissions.
This newsletter also features a report with photos from our outing to Warkworth, where members enjoyed an excursion on the Jane Gifford, the last fully rigged sailing scow in existence.
To read a detailed account of the talk Bryan Leyland titled, “Net Zero: The Dream and The Reality,” and a report of the Jane Gifford excursion, download the March 2024 Newsletter by clicking the link below.
