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DRAFT COPY ONLY - THESIS BLURB

Zhi Jian (David) Wong / zwon005@aucklanduni.ac.nz / 021 115 7897

Future Christchurch: A Green Economy

I believe out of crisis arises opportunity and in the post-earthquake landscape there is the

possibility to transition Christchurch to become a leading sustainable economy. My thesis aims to

show how Christchurch could take advantage of the rebuild to become a Zero-Carbon city by 2030.It is Architecture that acts as an economic catalyst for this transition. I agree with Einstein when he

said, "we can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

In order to address the current global economic and environmental crisis, we need a completely

new tactic, one that no longer relies on outdated modes of thinking and instead adopts innovative

and creative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Often master plans for cities are

shortsighted due to the fact that they cant adapt to change. The result is that when the plans are

realized; they immediately become outdated due to unanticipated and inevitable innovations of

technology.

Christchurch is at a cross road, it can either take the path of a Green Economy which would beecologically and economically responsible, or continue down the Business as Usual road, which

neglects to account for larger long term consequences for the gain of smaller immediate returns.

The value of the ecological system has to be calculated into the equation; this brings to question

the value of nature and the nature of value. Simply said, just because something is free does

not mean it does not have value; for instances there is no value placed on clean drinking water or

clean air until it is at risk. But when natural disasters such as landslides and droughts occur, the

economic cost to societies is brought to attention, which in effect is the price we pay for neglecting

the value of the ecological systems we live in.

If Christchurch chooses to take the path towards the Green Economy and focus on investing in

renewable energy, it could become a leading prototype city for the rest of the world to follow. The

Zero Carbon Christchurch 2030 Energy Plan outlines a technically possible, realistic and

economically attractive transition towards using only 100% of renewable energy to power

Christchurch in 15 years. The plan is the outcome of my previous research to use an injection of a

green energy wave as a catalyst for economic growth and recovery after the earthquakes. My

thesis also demonstrates the vast economic savings as a result of this transition towards being

Zero-Carbon; which when compared to the, Business as Usual; oil dependent scenario has a

cumulative savings of $6.5 Billion by the year 2040. Further, Christchurch would build on New

Zealands identity as a clean green country to capture the attention of foreign investors looking to

invest in sustainable technologies.

Christchurch is currently in a pivotal state of change, which is the perfect opportunity to test

revolutionary ideas on an urban scale. In my thesis I am proposing a test case and will design an

energy hub in the West of Christchurch, along the industrial line in Sockburn. This energy hub

would be the first prototype in which the notions of sustainable technologies and concepts are

developed, manufactured, created and taught to the people of Christchurch and later the rest of

the world. I believe once people start to actually see and experience the positive changes that are

being developed within this green precinct; the idea for a more sustainable future will spread like a

bug, the Green bug.

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M ZERO - CARBONCHRISTCHURCH

2030A Sustainable Energy Strategy

for Economic Growthand Stability

REBUILD

$

OIL

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30

HYDRO

BIO-MASS (Heat)

BIO-MASS (DES Fuel Only)

COAL

GAS

WIND

BIO-MASS (Electricity)

OIL

DIESEL (Retail)

SOLAR (Electricity)

SOLAR (Hot Water)

PETROL (Retail)

ELECTRICITY (Retail)

GLOBAL SOLAR

GLOBAL WIND

$ Price / kWh

COMPARISON OF ENERGY PRICES IN NEW ZEALAND

References and resources can be found in the final thesis publication *

RESILIENT ENERGY GENERATION

PV PANEL SYSTEM

1

23

4

SMART GRID

SUN

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panel generate power from the sun.

Electric vehicles are used as a portable battery pack charged

by PV panels.

The car battery can be used to run home appliances if andwhen needed.

When the PV panels are unable to supply the energy neededthe Smart grid is available for back-up. In times whenexcess energy is generated, the electricity can be sold back

to the Smart Grid system.

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2.

3.

4.

HYDRO ENERGY EFFICIENCY BIOMASS WIND SOLAR

Hydro power supplies back-up base loadenergy when the wind and solar energies donot meet the demand. Since the majority ofthe energy demand can be met by otherrenewable energy sources, this means thestrain on the stored energy at the hydro damscan be reduced.

Energy efficiency plays a vital part, eventhough energy is generated from renewablesources, wasting energy is unsustainable.Architecture plays an important role to ensureenergy efficient methods of construction areimplemented and because Christchurch willundergoing a massive reconstruction; there isthe opportunity to upgrade existing buildingsto be as energy efficient as possible.

Biomass supplies peak heating energydemands to the CBD and other satellite hubsduring the winter months which typicallyrequire more energy. Biomass is a goodsource of heat generated from waste; whichhas the additional benefit of reducing wasteby-products instead of putting them intolandfills. Two possible examples of sourcesfor biomass heating come from timber waste

generated in the forest and constructionindustry, and from harmful polluting gases(Methane) in the landfills.

Wind energy supplies intermittent base energydemands. Wind energy could be used inChristchurch by forging an alliance with theenergy companies and persuading them toinvest within Canterbury into wind technologies.There is sufficient wind to make the investmenteconomically viable, and instead of relying oncoal as a source of energy, wind power could be

harnessed instead.

If the government invested in renewableenergies such as wind, as opposed to oilexplorations; it would be investing in a longterm energy strategy rather than a short term fix.The added benefit could help spark an economyaround the demand for renewable technologies,which is a high-value product.

Solar energy would provide the peak base loadenergy during the day and would provideexcess energy in times of good solarcollection; which would be fed back to thesmart grid system. Solar Photovoltaic (PV)panels could be implemented where repairsfor damaged buildings need to be done, aswell as in any new c onstruction.

In times of crisis, solar energy in conjunctionwith electric vehicles becomes the solution forproviding the city with emergency back-uppower. The way to encourage solar adoption isto have different solar feed-in tariffs rewardingthe early adopters with a fixed tariff whichwould help to gain momentum for a movetowards solar energy adoption in Christchurch.

TRANSPORTATION SHIFT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLESThere are two aims. Firstly, to change the behaviour of using cars in the city in order to reduce the total number of

kilometres driven. This can be accomplished in several ways: via a car sharing mobile application (KiwiGo), improvedpublic transportation, and urban planning measures that al low for housing to be closer to areas of work. Secondly, througha shift towards using electric vehicles (EV) that can be charged at home. The transition towards using EVs can be done by

providing incentives and the necessary infrastructure (battery swap centres). Collaboration with the Better Placeorganization that is leading this global transition to an EV network system would be beneficial. Having an EV network within

the city would provide Christchurch with a significant amount of stored energy.

Percentage of beingZero - Carbon

The economic value savings/cost foreach person every year inChristchurch when compared to theBusiness as Usual Oil Scenario

5XELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE

5 TIMES MORE EFFICIENTTHAN FOSSIL FUEL CARS

235 WIND TURBINES BUILT

120,000 HOMES RETROFITTED

$820 MILLIONSAVED EVERY YEAR

FROM NOT

IMPORTING OIL

COSTOFOIL

FOR2011ON

LY=$$

$530MILLION

ANDRISING

EVERYYEAR

$$

$$

$$

$$

$$

$$

$$$$

$$

FOREIGN INVESTMENTINTO INNOVATIVE

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY

CHINA

ISPLANNING

TOINVEST

10TRILLIONYUAN

INTOCLEANTECH

Zhi Jian (David) WongUniversity of AucklandMArch (Professional) ThesisFuture Christchurch: A Green Economy

futurechristchurch.wordpress.com

COMPARISON OF ENERGY SOURCES

This is a current comparison of energy sources in

New Zealand (NZ) where the true cost of each type ofenergy production can be compared to each other. In order

to compare renewable energy with fossil fuels, the total energy

produced over the life span of that form of energy as well as the totalcost for production is calculated. From this chart we can see that fossil

fuels are not as cost efficient as the market makes them out to be. But whatis interesting is that when we look at the price of electricity from the local power

companies, we can see that it is high enough to make solar energy aneconomically viable option; even though New Zealands solar technology is FOURtimes less efficient than global standards. The reason for this price differential is becausethe solar adoption rate in NZ is only 2%, this is staggering when compared to Australia

(50%) which has the same solar potential as NZ. The demand for solar energy in NZ is notpresent in the economy because there is no driver for this to happen, but with this Zero-Carbonenergy plan the necessary demand for solar investment could happen.

To create a diverse supply of efficient sources of energy, solar, wind, biomass and hydro energy were

chosen based on their long term economic return relative to the energy generated. There are alsoecological benefits of using clean energy technology as opposed to fossil fuels, which also have an

economic benefit for the well being of the city. The 'Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity' is theconcept of calculating the hidden economic value of natu re, the rationale behind this is that we assume that if

something is free, it does not have value, and because mother nature provides us with clean air and water for free,

we take this for granted. An example of this is the significant air pollution in Christchurch, which stems frominefficient log burners and transportation exhaust. The economic health costs to the city is $168 MILLION everyyear. The Zero-Carbon concept is about working together with nature rather than against it; which makes economicsense and also creates for a healthier environment to live in .

$

$6.5 BILLION

OIL

$

$

$

$

$

RISK INVESTMENT

2040

CLEAN GREEN NZ BRAND

$20 BILLION

CHRISTCHURCH

CHOICE

200+ $

606+ $

59%

100%

2030010,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

2 01 2 ( BA U) 20 12 ( ZC CE P) 2 030 ( BA U) 20 30 ( ZC CE P)

EnergyUse(TJ/p

a)

COMPARISON OF THE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS

Energy Efficiency

Transport Shift

WindSolar

Biomass

Hydro

Fossil Fuels

BAU - BUSINESS AS USUAL (OIL ECONOMY)ZCCEP - ZERO CARBON CHRISTCHURCH ENERGY PLAN