Science Centres: Energy

CRL Energy joins national centre

Dr Rob Whitney, Chief Executive of CRL Energy, is now leading the National Centre for Climate–Energy Solutions

Research already underway includes CRL Energy's work on coal gasification for hydrogen energy systems (pictured here) and NIWA's involvement in the development of a wave energy converter. [Photo: CRLEnergyLtd]

The National Centre for Climate–Energy Solutions is expanding into a joint enterprise between NIWA and CRL Energy.

Dr Rob Whitney, Chief Executive of CRL Energy, is now leading the centre. He says the centre will provide one-stop access to both NIWA and CRL Energy research, consulting, information, and resources on the intertwined issues of energy, climate, and emissions reduction.

'Energy keeps the country going,' says Rob. 'The centre now has access to scientific and engineering expertise in a broad range of energy resources. We'll be providing technical input to important decisions about how to achieve both energy security and environmental sustainability. We'll be promoting energy efficiency and new energy technology solutions.'

The centre has an impressive body of expertise at its disposal

CRL Energy

• Clean coal technologies (advanced gasification & combustion)
• Carbon capture & storage
• Hydrogen energy systems (with Industrial Research Ltd)
• Geological, geotechnical engineering, & hydrogeological services
• Solid fuels analysis & combustion testing
• Bioenergy & biofuels
• Internal combustion engines, fuels, & emissions
• Vehicle technologies
• Energy modelling with the Energy Efficiency & Resource Assessment (EERA) model
• Environmental monitoring & remediation
• Causes, impacts, & remediation of acid mine drainage

NIWA Science

• Assessment of renewable resources (measurement & modelling of hydro, wind, wave, tidal, solar)
• Nationally significant databases: water resources & climate
• Environmental effects assessment for consents & other purposes
• Environmental monitoring instruments & services
• Daily operational forecasting of renewables
• Marine geological services for offshore structures & cables
• Research into climate-related risks for energy supply & demand
• Improving rural Māori communities through new energy technologies
• Recovery of energy from wastewater
• Wave Energy Technology–New Zealand (with Industrial Research Ltd & Power Projects Ltd)