Energy
New Thinking
Current thinking at IRL
A group of IRL physicists is at the cutting edge of research into high-temperature superconductors.
Scion fuels bi-lateral bioenergy talks
Crown Research Institute Scion hosted a high profile delegation recently to discuss US-NZ research collaborations in bioenergy. The workshop was part of the wider programme of the New Zealand-United States Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation.
Wellington of the Year Award for world-leading IRL scientist
World-leading physicist and IRL Group Manager, HTS Conductors and Devices, Dr Bob Buckley has won 2009 Wellingtonian of the Year in the Science & Technology category.
Deep water could help fill NZ's energy needs
The drive to run New Zealand on 100 per cent renewable power could get a boost if GNS Science geologists discover pockets of energy they suspect are buried between 5km and 7km deep.
Visiting AGMARDT fellow talks Food Miles
Dr Gareth Edwards-Jones, Principal investigator on a study of the comparative merits of consuming vegetables produced locally and overseas speaking with Radio New Zealand's Kim Hill.
Shining light on a viable alternative
New Zealand is far from a star when it comes to tapping our world-class solar resources, says a senior IRL scientist.
Scion: Pathway to biofuels through forests
Energy from forests is one of New Zealand's best options for producing its own biofuels is the conclusion of Scion's second "Bioenergy Options for New Zealand" report.
IRL young scientist selected for Nobel Laureate meeting
A young researcher at Industrial Research is one of only two New Zealand students selected to attend a prestigious meeting in Germany which brings together Nobel prize winners with young scientists.
Pining for oil
Scion, the Crown Research Institute, says New Zealand’s forestry looks good as a sustainable resource for renewable fuels at US$60 per barrel. Technology and policy settings are vital.
Transport fuels from New Zealand biomass a reality
Biofuels generated from New Zealand-grown softwood feedstocks present a feasible, sustainable and environmentally beneficial energy option, say the authors of a report by the New Zealand Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Initiative.
New Science
'Smart art' brings Maori sculptures to life
In a union of art and science, IRL scientists are combining smart materials with robotic technologies to make Maori kowhaiwhai (painted designs) come alive.
Ingenious engineering takes 2009 IRL prize
The 2009 IRL prize for the best demonstration in robotics or automation has been awarded to final-year Auckland University Mechanical Engineering students Dzulfadli Ibrahim and Luqman Kamarudin.
IRL scientist wins industry award
Tim Kemmitt, a senior research scientist with IRL, has won a Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) Industry Award for his work on photovoltaics (PV) for solar power generation.
Making waves work
A uniquely ‘Kiwi’ wave energy generator developed by WET-NZ – a partnership between Industrial Research Limited (IRL), and NIWA, and the Wellington power consultancy Power Projects Limited (PPL) is harnessing the power of waves in Evans Bay, Wellington.
Push for wider use of low temperature geothermal energy
Energy from 'low temperature' geothermal sources is a huge and largely untapped resource. A new research programme led by GNS Science is designed to make this form of energy more accessible.
Wave energy converter on trial off Christchurch coast
An Industrial Research collaborative wave energy converter is generating ripples of interest as it undergoes sea trials off Taylor's Mistake..
Get ready for the hydrogen economy
CRL Energy, a NIWA subsidiary, is working on the final stage of technology to convert NZ's low-rank coal into high-purity hydrogen for fuel cells developed by IRL.
Study shows wood pellet burners improve air quality in Rotorua
With nightly winter fires nearly over for 2007, Rotorua home owners are being urged to consider switching to clean burning wood pellet burners before next winter. A study carried out by Crown Research Institute Scion has shown that using pellets, rather than wood, could significantly cut emissions of PM10 and help improve air quality in the city.
Breakthrough cryocooler could transform HTS industry
Scientists at Industrial Research have produced a breakthrough industrialised cryogenic refrigerator, or cryocooler, that is set to have a major impact on the HTS industry.
Riding the ocean waves..
The successful launch of an experimental wave energy converter involving a partnership between IRL, NIWA and Power Projects Ltd has paved the way for a pre-commercial device to be operating within 18 months.
New Value
Revolutionising electricity transmission
IRL scientists have created “superconductor” wires that carry up to 10 times the current of copper wires of the same size, without losing energy.
Kiwi wind turbine leads the world
More than two million cycles of vertical flapping at IRL's Parnell site in Auckland has resulted in a level of certification for Windflow Technology's 16 metre blade which no other turbine in the world has achieved.
HTS magnet a world first for "super microscope"
The world's first synchrotron magnet fitted with HTS coils is poised to be shipped from IRL in New Zealand to the prestigious Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York.
Breakthrough cable opens door to HTS market
Industrial Research has come up with a process to turn fragile HTS wire into robust cable and opened the way for the wider application of HTS in industry...
New Zealand research expertise sought at international renewable energy conference
Dr Tom Richardson, chief executive of Crown Research Institute Scion, is this week presenting New Zealand research into the role of forestry in producing renewable energy, at the U.S. Government hosted Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008).
NZ dairy farms losing advantage over EU
New Zealand dairy farms are slipping in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas efficiency, and urgently need to focus on improved farm practices and intensification options to reverse the trend.
Wave energy device hits the water
A new wave-energy device has been undergoing sea trials in Lyttleton Harbour, watched closely be designers from NIWA, IRL, & Power Projects Ltd.
Alternative power catches on
A small community of farmers in Manawatu is trialling what's believed to be a world first energy project that could change the way power is supplied to rural homes, and soon to those in the city.
Distributed energy project a first for rural communities
Industrial Research and Massey University are collaborating on a world-first energy research project that could change the way remote rural communities around New Zealand get their power supply..
Geothermal energy to contribute more
Geothermal energy looks set to contribute more electricity to the national grid thanks to GNS Science research initiatives aimed at increasing production from New Zealand’s geothermal areas.
