Energy

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NIWA provides a wide range of research and consultancy services to the energy sector, including resource assessment, forecasting, environmental impact assessments and mitigation.

This calculator estimates the solar energy that can be collected by a solar capture device (solar panel) at a given address, panel direction and roof slope.

This measures rain by the drop as well as by the tradional 'tip'. We can configure it either with an SDI12 serial data interface or an integral logger with cellular communications.

The High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF) is supercharging New Zealand science—powering scientists working at the forefront of New Zealand’s greatest science challenges.

Our World

Compiled by NIWA from the United Nations report "Keeping Track of Our Changing Environment: From Rio to Rio+20 (1992-2012)".

Full report at http://www.unep.org/geo/pdfs/keeping_track.pdf [4.8 MB]. 

Pig power

Right now, millions of cubic metres of biogas either gets flared off, or wafts downwind to annoy the neighbours. But that gas could be generating electricity, powering vehicles and balancing our trade deficit at the same time, finds Dave Hansford.

An innovative biogas system, developed at NIWA Hamilton, has been embraced by the Australian pork industry. It provides an alternative electricity and heating source.

Craig Stevens on Cook Strait tidal energy

Dr Craig Stevens from NIWA discusses the potential for turbines to extract tidal energy from New Zealand's Cook Strait. 

Current conversion - tidal and wave energy in New Zealand

Technology for extracting energy from wave and tidal currents is now a viable alternative to traditional power generation methods. Understanding the complexity of New Zealand's wave and tidal resources is vital for this fledgling industry.

Dr Murray Poulter and Dr Craig Stevens discuss the science and future opportunities. 

This measures and records the Electrical Conductivity (EC) and temperature of water.

This analog output sensor provides accurate long-term measurements of water depth and temperature in bores, drains and rivers.

The 6542B can measure water depths of up to 20 m and comes in five standard ranges: 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 metres of water.

It has an accuracy of better than +/-1% of full scale and water level and temperature outputs are available as two separate analogue voltage outputs for connection to a data logger.

This ultrasonic Doppler instrument is a compact, easy to use system for measuring water flow in rivers, channels and pipes.

Uses a float and counterweight system to convert water level into an electronic output that can be read by a datalogger. Accurate to within a millimetre over a wide range.

This has 16 analog inputs with an accuracy of better than 0.1% of full scale. You can configure inputs as single ended or differential and select from four input signal ranges.

The NRT is a small self-contained unit which connects to sensors, records readings from them and transmits the data to a central server via satellite communications.

The NRT is a small self-contained unit which connects to sensors, records readings from them and transmits the data to a central server via a cellular telephone network.

How may wind energy generation activities influence sediments in waterways?
What are the impacts of wind energy generation activities on riparian vegetation?

A self-contained telemetered inshore buoy capable of being equipped with a wide range of marine sensors.

The latest seasonal climate outlook from the NIWA National Climate Centre states that “a moderate to strong La Niña in the tropical Pacific is expected to persist through the summer of 2010/11”.

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