Renewable energy

Over 80 percent of the electricity generated in Aotearoa NZ comes from renewable sources – wind, sun and water. Understanding the effects of our changing climate on our hydro lakes and wind and solar generation potential will help us increase renewable energy generation.

Solar farm

Nowcasting and short-to-medium range forecasting for solar and wind energy

Scaling up of solar and wind power is essential for Aotearoa New Zealand to become carbon neutral by 2050

Renewable energy

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    Biogas from pig farms

    Research Project
    Biogas from pig farms

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    Pig power science yields good results in NZ and overseas

    News article
    27 February 2012

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    Craig Stevens on Cook Strait tidal energy

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    Current conversion - tidal and wave energy in New Zealand

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    Sediment and wind

    How may wind energy generation activities influence sediments in waterways?
    Freshwater quality

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    Riparian vegetation and wind

    What are the impacts of wind energy generation activities on riparian vegetation?

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    Impacts of wind

    How do wind energy generation activities impact water quality and mahinga kai?

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    Energy assessment for Totoya Island, Fiji

    Research Project
    NIWA worked with the community on the island of Totoya, in the Yasayasa Moala Island group in south-east Fiji to assess their energy security and energy related socio-economic opportunities.
    Pacific
    Renewable energy

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    Wind

    Wind is a renewable and environmentally friendly energy source.

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    Tidal energy optimisation

    Research Project
    Understanding the complexity of tidal resources in New Zealand’s coastal waters and examining how extracting tidal energy would influence and be influenced by this variability.
    Oceans
    Renewable energy

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    Bio-oil from wastewater algae

    Research Project
    This project will demonstrate the commercial feasibility of producing bio-oil by the conversion of algae biomass that has been grown in wastewater treatment facilities. In particular we aim to maximise algae production in High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) by adding carbon dioxide, and demonstrate energy efficient conversion of algal biomass to bio-oil.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Algae