GEO-THERMAL POWER

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 24, 25 June 1952, Page 5

GEO-THERMAL POWER

The Wairakei ExpeHrnental Project Dr. A. A. Bergelin, who has been in New Zealand engaged with the staff of scientists exploring the possibilities of geo-thermal steam for electricity at Wairakei, came to the Dominion under the Fullbright Scheme from Delaware, U.S.A., some months ago. He left Taupo on the expiry of his term on S'aturday, June 14, accompanied by his wife and theii two children. They were then enroute to Auckland from whence they took their departure from New Zealand. In conversation with the Editor of Taupo Times, Dr. Bergelin, whose branch of science is chemical engineering, said that his work at Wairakei had been full of interest. But like most scientists engaged on re~ search he would not make a definite pronouncement on the geo-thermal project. The steam was there, he said, and there appeared to be plenty of it; but a great deal of work involving considerable expenditure, remained to be done before a definite commitment to produce geo-thermal electricity on the scale of a public supply would be warranted. Boring for steam was like boring for oil. In a sense it was a gamble. No doubt with the employment of iarger drills, and the discovery *of additional sources of steam, their efforts might be rewafded. But it could npt be hurried. It was a long job. Before returning finally to his work in the professorate of the University of Delfware, Dr Bergelin plans to visit Europe, and especially the geothernial steam region at Lardarello, in Italy.