Science Centres: Energy
Major advance for clean energy research
Hydro lakes likely to stay low
Preparing for renewable marine energy
Wellington vehicles put to the test
Major advance for clean energy research
NIWA buys 50% stake in CRL Energy
Research into secure, clean, internationally competitive energy solutions has just been given a major boost with NIWA’s investment in CRL Energy Ltd. The other 50% shareholding is retained by the Coal Association of New Zealand.
"We are delighted to become partners with the Coal Association in CRL Energy," says NIWA chief executive Dr Rick Pridmore.
NIWA predicts only a one-in-five chance of above normal inflows
New Zealand daily storage (last updated Monday 10 April 06)
New Zealand’s total hydroelectric lake storage is still in a lower than normal position for this time of year, based on M-co updates (www.comitfree.co.nz) and NIWA monitoring. This is a cause for concern as winter approaches.
Preparing for renewable marine energy
Technology for New Zealand conditions
Development effort worldwide is moving wave and tidal energy from wishful thinking into a valuable contribution to energy supply.
Computer modelling and remote sensing are both vital, but they must be underpinned by in situ measurements. Bathymetric, current, and wave data are all needed to help define where it might be economic to install wave and tidal energy devices, and how to minimise environmental effects.
Wellington vehicles put to the test
NIWA tested the exhaust quality of nearly one car a minute during a public open day at Wellington’s Westpac stadium last month.
Our remote sensing equipment uses beams of light to measure pollutants in the vehicle exhaust, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulates. Drivers get immediate feedback on their vehicle emissions with the words ‘good’, ‘fair’, or ‘poor’ flashing up on an electronic display board.
