Donald's Diaries

For each day of the field trip, including the day spent travelling to the site, Donald writes a diary which is published online along with photos for the day. All enrolled classes automatically receive a summary and/or a copy of Donald's Diary by email.

Donald's diaries for this field trip:

  • Diary 1 for Tuesday 28 February. It's a perfect day for a Christchurch to Rotorua flight. Donald then drives to Taupo for the field trip to Contact Energy's remarkable Wairakei geothermal power station. More - Web Page | PDF (210k)
  • Diary 2 for Wednesday 1 March. Donald is given a fascinating guided tour of the Wairakei steam fields by Contact Energy staff. This is followed by a great insight into what geothermal drilling involves when he visits drill hole Wairakei 248 as it starts its 3km journey into the ground below. More - Web Page | PDF (330k)
  • Diary 3 for Thursday 2 March. Chris Morris gives Donald an insight into the workings of a Mixed Pressure steam turbine. Then it is on to the new technology of the Wairakei binary plant. More - Web Page | PDF (320k)
  • Diary 4 for Friday 3 March. Donald is given a revealing insight into some of the electrical issues facing Wairakei by generation engineer Murray Hill and then those relating to geothermal chemistry by consultant Ed Mroczek. More - Web Page | PDF (250k)
  • Donald's Latest Diary - Web Page

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