18 | LandEscape Wanaka Ange Davidson Project built on 30 years of research A happy customer on a YouMo e-bike at LandEscape Farm. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT On a farm half-way between Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea, a fledgling hybrid tourism operation is rapidly taking shape featuring hot tubs, accommodation, food services and e-bikes. Utilising European Biomass-as-Energy thermal technology and other renewable energy systems, the operation is set to power a paradigm shifting set of visitor experiences on one of New Zealand’s most stunning locations. Called LandEscape Wanaka, the innovative project is the culmination of 30 years of renewable energy research by Rik Deaton, a man on a mission to bring wood gasification boiler technology into the Kiwi lexicon and lifestyle. LandEscape is harnessing this technology into a ground-breaking system to heat a major hot tub installation with 100% renewable energy. Rik and his wife Juliet, and sons’ Spencer and Bayne, are currently operating in their “rustic phase” with just a handful of sites, each with its own spring-fed wood-fired hut tub. After a six-year battle with the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Rik has now been granted Rural Visitor Zone status for the project with approval for a 6,000m2 built area footprint spread across seven different zones. “We are sitting on 115 hectares of incredibly scenic terminal moraine and overlooking the entire Upper Clutha and Hāwea river basins from a height of 70-80 metres with 360º views over farmland, lakes and mountains. “It’s a magnificent and almost unbelievably private site. We want to share it in a productive and positive way and allow visitors to experience and learn about renewable energy and thermal efficiency in the built environment,” says Rik. Stage one of the project occupies the farms central headland; both the high point and the geographical centre of the farm. This will comprise of ten individual private hot tubs spread around the perimeter of the headland, with a large hot pool at the headland’s tip for drop-in visitors, plus a restaurant and bar. All thermal energy for the hot tubs, heating of buildings, rinse-off showers and the restaurant is provided by five Austrian made Wood Gasification Boilers that will circulate thermal energy around the headland in a micro-district heating scheme. “European wood gasification boiler systems are exceptionally functional and efficient. They burn wood, either as logs, woodchips, or compounded sawdust products such as pellets. This is a fantastic fuel source with 96% efficiency and almost unmeasurable gaseous and particulate flu emissions. It is a clean renewable waste product,” he says. Eventually there will be up to 30 accommodation units and 16 motorhome sites with private hot tubs. Add to this a café, family friendly facilities, 15 kilometres of cycle trails, and educational tours and school camps to teach the fundamentals of Renewable Energy, Building Physics and Regenerative Agriculture. As momentum builds, the accommodation and working farm will be able to run on 100% renewable energy creating a fully self-contained micro-district that would be able to act as a civil defence response centre. Rik intends to augment the wood burners with solar thermal collection to create a hybrid thermal system and minimise pellet consumption. “What we’ll be creating is a micro-district heating system. Some cities in Europe have bio-mass boilers at a huge scale and city-wide district heating. “At a recent trade show I attended in Austria, there were about 40 different manufacturers of boilers from dishwasher size to power stations,” enthuses Rik. “We’re already getting rhapsodic reviews as city dwellers are experiencing both a working farm and a true sense of peace and isolation. It touches them deeply” says Rik. Contact Brian Anderson Mechanical Engineering Consultants to LandEscape Wanaka Commercial, industrial, & domestic designers of energy efficient • Swimming Pool Systems • Ventilation & Air conditioning • Biomass, boiler plant & heating systems • Building and plant controls • Hot & cold water supply systems • Drainage b.anderson@brynmartin.co.nz | telephone 021 281 0008 For a central heating option with a low environmental impact, Easypell pellet boilers brings you both high performance and ease of use. Circulating hot water throughout your home to provide both heating and hot water on demand. Ideal for radiator, underfloor and wall heating, or a combination of any systems. Easypell Pellet Boilers For Home Central Heating www.ecohotwater.co.nz Contact us at: info@ecohotwater.co.nz | 07 312 3382
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