

Currently released so far... 12689 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ASEC
AR
AEMR
AMGT
AE
AU
AID
AORC
APER
AS
AM
AFIN
AMED
AJ
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
ABLD
AL
AA
APECO
AGAO
AY
AGMT
APEC
AINF
AG
ACS
AECL
AFFAIRS
ABUD
ASUP
ADANA
AADP
AMCHAMS
ARF
ASEAN
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
APCS
ADCO
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
ADM
AN
AIT
BU
BR
BL
BO
BA
BB
BG
BM
BBSR
BH
BEXP
BK
BD
BTIO
BT
BE
BY
BF
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BILAT
BIDEN
BC
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CH
CG
CF
CU
CE
CVIS
CASC
CO
CS
CA
CIDA
CBW
CW
CMGT
CI
CODEL
CY
CPAS
CJAN
CD
CWC
CDG
CIA
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CT
CR
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CFED
CV
CACS
CARSON
CLINTON
CN
CONS
CM
CAC
CIC
COPUOS
CDC
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EG
EZ
EUN
ECON
ETRD
ECPS
EFIN
ENRG
ETTC
EPET
EINV
EAID
EAIR
EWWT
EU
EAGR
EC
ELAB
EIND
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
EFIS
ELTN
ET
ECIN
EFTA
ES
EINT
EI
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
ELN
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
EXIM
ETRO
ENIV
ESA
ER
EK
EUR
EFINECONCS
EUMEM
EUREM
EPA
ERNG
ENERG
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
IS
IZ
IR
IC
IO
IN
ID
IGAD
IT
ILC
IAEA
ITU
ICAO
IMO
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
IAHRC
ITF
INRA
INRO
IWC
IQ
IV
ICRC
ICTY
INRB
IEFIN
ILO
ITRA
ITALY
IBET
ISRAELI
IL
INTELSAT
IRC
IDP
ICTR
IRAQI
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
IA
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
INDO
IDA
ISLAMISTS
KSPR
KNNP
KWBG
KAWK
KISL
KPAO
KN
KS
KIPR
KCRM
KDEM
KIRF
KJUS
KHLS
KSCA
KOMC
KAWC
KV
KFRD
KWMN
KTIP
KPWR
KSUM
KGHG
KTIA
KTFN
KIRC
KCOR
KACT
KMDR
KGIC
KOLY
KUNR
KIDE
KMPI
KPKO
KCFE
KVPR
KRAD
KPAL
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTEX
KTDB
KFSC
KZ
KSEP
KFLU
KE
KU
KPLS
KRVC
KRIM
KSTH
KG
KFLO
KPOA
KICC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KBCT
KSAF
KMOC
KDRG
KBIO
KREC
KSTC
KVRP
KBTR
KMIG
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KWAC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KWMM
KPRP
KNEI
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KX
KMCA
KCRS
KMFO
KID
KCIP
KNAR
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KHDP
KFIN
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KHIV
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KTER
KRCM
KCFC
KSAC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KCOM
KLIG
KDEMAF
KAID
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
KOMS
KHSA
MPOS
MOPS
MARR
MTCR
MNUC
MASS
MX
MCAP
MAR
MTRE
MASC
MK
MG
MTCRE
MI
MD
MA
MO
MY
MU
ML
MRCRE
MAS
MEDIA
MC
MR
MIL
MW
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MT
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MEPP
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
NATO
NG
NL
NZ
NT
NW
NO
NU
NS
NPT
NASA
NI
NK
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NP
NATIONAL
NSSP
NSF
NA
NGO
NV
NR
NDP
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NEW
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NPG
NSC
NPA
NSFO
OPDC
OPRC
OEXC
OTRA
ODIP
OIIP
OVIP
OPIC
OPCW
OAS
OREP
OSCE
OSCI
OES
OFDP
OECD
OCS
OIC
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OFFICIALS
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OBSP
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PGOV
PARM
PINR
PTER
PHUM
PK
PREF
PM
PHSA
PA
PINS
PE
PBTS
PCI
PO
PL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PGIV
PROP
PP
PBIO
POL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PBT
PMIL
POV
PTBS
PG
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PROV
PNAT
PINF
PRL
PAS
PDOV
PRAM
PREO
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PAO
PREFA
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PGOC
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RW
REACTION
RCMP
RSO
RO
RP
ROOD
RM
ROBERT
RICE
REGION
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
RFE
REPORT
SY
SP
SOCI
SMIG
SNAR
SCUL
SC
SU
SO
SI
SENV
SZ
SW
SA
SR
SF
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SEN
SG
SYR
SWE
SK
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SCRS
SYRIA
SL
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SANC
SHI
SHUM
SIPRS
TSPA
TSPL
TU
TBIO
TRGY
TPHY
TS
TP
TW
TBID
TI
TF
TZ
TD
TT
TN
TNGD
TC
TX
TH
TL
TIP
THPY
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TINT
TFIN
TAGS
TR
US
UNSC
UNGA
UK
UP
UNCHC
UN
UNMIK
UNCSD
UY
USTR
USOAS
UNHRC
UNFCYP
UG
UNAUS
UNESCO
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
USUN
UZ
USNC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNEP
USEU
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNDP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
UNDC
UNICEF
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08WELLINGTON48, DOE A/S KARSNER MEETS WITH NEW ZEALAND ENERGY LEADERS
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08WELLINGTON48.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08WELLINGTON48 | 2008-02-15 03:11 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Wellington |
VZCZCXRO8907
RR RUEHAP RUEHNZ RUEHPB
DE RUEHWL #0048/01 0460311
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150311Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5063
INFO RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 1617
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0637
RUEHAP/AMEMBASSY APIA 0444
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 5099
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0723
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0717
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 WELLINGTON 000048
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DOE FOR A/S KARSNER
STATE FOR EAP/ANP AND EAS
E.O. 12985: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TRGY KGHG AY NZ
SUBJECT: DOE A/S KARSNER MEETS WITH NEW ZEALAND ENERGY LEADERS
REF: 07 WELLINGTON 695
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On January 14, US Department of Energy (DOE)
Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner met in Wellington with key NZ
energy officials and experts in roundtable discussions hosted by the
NZ Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST). The
productive dialogue covered many energy-related topics, during which
Karsner encouraged continued collaboration between NZ and the US on
energy issues and invited NZ representatives to visit DOE research
facilities in the US. End Summary.
Roundtable Discussion with NZ Energy Officials
--------------------------------------------- -
¶2. (SBU) On January 14, DOE A/S Karsner met in Wellington with key
NZ energy officials in a roundtable discussion at the offices of
MoRST. Participants included Dr. Helen Anderson (Chief Executive,
MoRST), David Smol (Deputy Secretary, Energy and Communications,
Ministry of Economic Development), Tony Frost (Senior Advisor,
Technology and Fuels, Ministry of Transport), Eric Pyle (Director of
Environmental and Social Development, MoRST), David Crawford
(General Manager, Land Transport Environment and Safety, Ministry of
Transport), Ken Kirkpatrick (Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet), Mike Underhill (Chief Executive, Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Authority), and Martyn Pinckard (Senior Manager,
Household Sustainability Program, Ministry of the Environment).
Also accompanying A/S Karsner were an Embassy political specialist
and Poloff.
¶3. (SBU) In his opening remarks, Karsner noted how NZ successfully
meshes its environmental and energy policy debates, to include
inter-agency communications and the allocation of resources, toward
meeting the challenges presented in both areas. He commented that
in order to meet the world's environmental challenges, energy must
be part of the solution and not "the culprit." That is a global
effort, according to Karsner, and one country alone cannot supply
all of the answers. In the last three years, continued the A/S, the
US has made enormous strides in the development of renewable energy
by changing focus from research and development to applied science
and commercialization. The US is also incorporating the
technological "push" and the market-demand "pull" to good effect.
Communication and the sharing of knowledge are vital as well, he
stressed, if the development of renewable energy is to move
forward.
New Zealand Energy Strategy Explained
-------------------------------------
¶4. (SBU) Ministry of Economic Development Deputy Secretary Smol
stated that the GNZ has taken a bold approach by announcing its goal
to make NZ a completely "sustainable" nation and that, over time,
the GNZ will sharpen that goal into focused policy outcomes. He
explained that the NZ energy strategy has three tracks:
- Leadership (including the use of "flagship projects" such as
carbon neutral government agencies, waste management/minimization,
sustainable government procurement to grow markets, and energy
efficiency standards);
- Modifying household and business behavior (i.e., modifying
consumer and business purchasing decisions); and
- Working with other partners (energy producers, private industry
and NGOs) to establish "platforms" for the development of
sustainable energy (as one example, to encourage the development of
such energy, the GNZ has announced a 10-year moratorium on the
construction of base-load energy generation that uses fossil
fuels).
This overall strategy is based on two underlying concepts:
- The government's target of carbon neutrality; and
- The implementation of the government's proposed comprehensive
"Emissions Trading Scheme" (ETS). (reftel)
According to Smol, it will be "a tricky balance between global and
local challenges," i.e., to comply with the Kyoto Protocol and meet
NZ's environmental goals "without disrupting the energy distribution
system and prices."
WELLINGTON 00000048 002 OF 004
¶5. (SBU) Karsner commented that NZ's implementation of ETS will be
a useful measurement tool, but it is insufficient by itself and must
be combined with other mechanisms and options in order to
successfully bring about change. The US, for example, has a broad
range of options at the state and federal levels to address
renewable energy, energy security, emissions control, and climate
change mitigation. The US has 53 "laboratories" (i.e., states and
territories) for energy research and development, all relatively
powerful when compared to the US federal government. He added that
NZ appeared to have more of a regulatory focus than the US, which is
relying more on market forces as the instrument for developing
renewable energy. It is not government regulation, the A/S
maintained, but the marketplace that is the real locomotive for
change.
¶6. (SBU) Pyle noted that NZ has every conceivable natural resource
to assist in providing a renewable energy supply, including wind,
solar, geothermal and tidal.
Biofuel Is Promising, But It's Role Depends on Economics
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶7. (SBU) Smol stated that the role of biofuel is largely dictated
by economics. Once the regulatory framework is established, the oil
companies must then adjust their practices to deal with the new
operating environment. Moreover, NZ must be careful that the
development of biofuel does not adversely impact the environment and
that "we don't cut down forests to do it." In order to achieve
meaningful progress in this area, NZ must work with the USG.
¶8. (SBU) Karsner stated that in 2007 the US committed USD 1 billion
toward research and development of waste stream biofuel, and
estimated that 2008 will be the first time in 35 years that the US
will import less petroleum than the previous year. However, he
noted that biofuel will only be successful as an alternative to
fossil fuels when market forces and the profit imperative pull fuel
companies into the business. He also invited NZ officials to visit
the US National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado to learn more about
what the US is doing in the field of biofuel.
Tidal Current Energy - At Experimental Stage Only
-----------------
¶9. (SBU) Smol noted that tidal current energy has huge potential in
NZ, but the technology cannot match aspirations at present and it is
only in the experimental stage.
Transportation - Promotion of Flex-fuels and Electricity
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶10. (SBU) Crawford stated that NZ has approximately 700 vehicles
per 1,000 persons - a similar ratio to the US. He explained that if
NZ is to become carbon neutral, it must first stop the annual
increase in vehicle emissions, which must begin with the government
fleet. There, the GNZ is focusing on improving fuel efficiency and
the use of flex fuels. Karsner warned that the use of flex fuels in
the US caused "an aberration" by actually reducing fuel efficiency
and requires more study.
¶11. (SBU) Frost commented that NZ has a goal of being a leader in
the use of electric vehicles - both buses and cars. In that regard,
the Ministry of Transport aims to facilitate the entry of electric
vehicles into the marketplace by creating an environment where
electric vehicles are more attractive to consumers. NZ is also
working with Boeing Aircraft Company to develop biodiesel fuel from
algae.
Energy Storage is the Key to Integrating Renewable Energy
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶12. (SBU) PM Advisor Kirkpatrick asked Karsner if the development
of energy storage sites was a priority for the USG. Karsner
responded that energy storage is the highest priority in all sectors
of US Department of Energy research. "It is the key to integrating
renewable energy into the grid."
Antarctica - Karsner Desires a Switch to Renewable Energy
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶13. (SBU) Karsner mentioned his recent visit to Antarctica as a
guest of the US National Science Foundation, and noted that the US
WELLINGTON 00000048 003 OF 004
McMurdo Station, the US Amundson-Scott South Pole Station, and the
NZ Scott Base are all completely dependent on the import of
petroleum fuels for power and heat. He expressed his interest in
helping those facilities switch to renewable fuel sources to cut
costs and to demonstrate US commitment to renewable energy.
Anderson mentioned that NZ's Meridian Energy Company is already
looking into the construction of a wind energy site at NZ's Scott
Station.
Roundtable Discussion with NZ Energy Experts
--------------------------------------------
¶14. (SBU) A/S Karsner also participated in roundtable discussions
with NZ energy experts in the MORST office. In attendance were
Karsner, Anderson, Dr. Elspeth McRae (Group Manager, Biomaterials
Research, Scion Corporation), Colin Harvey (Geothermal Business
Development Manager, GNS Science Corporation), Dr. Tom Richardson
(Chief Executive, Scion Corporation), Alan Seay (Corporate Affairs
Director, Meridian Energy Corporation), Dr. Sean Simpson (Chief
Scientific Officer and Founder, Lanzatech Corporation), and Poloff.
¶15. (SBU) McRae explained that Scion is actively working toward
development of NZ's biomass resources. However, NZ needs a
dedicated energy crop for biofuel production because biomass waste
resources will not be enough to provide for NZ's energy security.
¶16. (SBU) Harvey explained NZ's current involvement in geothermal
energy production, noting that NZ has a grid capacity of 7,000
megawatts (MW) and, of that capacity, geothermal has the potential
of providing 2,485 MW. At the present time, however, geothermal is
providing only 900 MW. Simpson stated that development of renewable
energy sources is not the only challenge. One large unresolved
issue is how to integrate all sources of energy into the market and
into the grid.
Photovoltaics - Depends on Efficiency, Cost and Integration
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶17. (SBU) Seay noted that the biggest hurdle for Meridian in the
development and use of photovoltaic energy is the efficiency of
solar cells. Karsner replied that, at least in the case of the
developing world, efficiency is not as important as cost. Also, as
with the use of all renewable energy sources, storage is the key to
integrating such energy into the grid. Karsner emphasized that
energy storage is a priority for his office, and the key to
integrating renewable energy into existing systems.
Biofuel - Making Ethanol from Steel Production Flue Gas
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶18. (SBU) Simpson outlined Lanzatech's research program, and noted
that it is developing ethanol production using flue gas from steel
production waste.
Geothermal Energy - Vast but Challenging
----------------------------------------
¶19. (SBU) Anderson commented that there is a greater incentive to
develop NZ's vast geothermal energy potential over all other
options. Karsner asked why NZ's geothermal potential is not being
maximized. Seay explained that the available geothermal resources
are at inconsistent depths and temperatures. In addition, many of
the sites with geothermal potential lie on Maori land (which
presents licensing difficulties) and geothermal is not without
disadvantages (chemical effluent/waste).
Wind Energy - Harder than it Looks
----------------------------------
¶20. (SBU) According to Seay, NZ has vast wind energy potential.
However, the problems in developing that potential include a
shortage of wind turbines, where the demand currently exceeds supply
(though a manufacturing plant is now being constructed in China);
and transmission hurdles (i.e., the most potential exists on the
south island, while the most demand exists on the north island).
¶21. (SBU) Seay noted that it is preparing to install 62 wind
turbines near Wellington, and three turbines at NZ's Scott Base in
Antarctica by March 2009 and is exploring the installation of
another 14 turbines. Simpson added that Lanzatech is exploring the
use of wind turbines with expandable blades, which promise to
WELLINGTON 00000048 004 OF 004
increase efficiency by 40 percent.
A/S Karsner Concludes with Call for Dialogue
--------------------------------------------
¶21. (SBU) In concluding the discussions, A/S Karsner expressed his
appreciation for the opportunity to confer with NZ officials and
experts on the subject of renewable energy. He urged continuing
dialogue between NZ and the US and renewed his invitation for GNZ
representatives to visit the DOE National Renewable Energy Lab in
Colorado.
MCCORMICK