Energy Research Roadmap

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The Energy Research Roadmap is a strategy document that helps guide energy research in New Zealand.

It sets out the national and international context for energy research, identifies the broad range of research capabilities New Zealand needs to develop and gives direction on how to maintain and improve those capabilities. It also highlights the need for enhanced co-operation and co-ordination of research activities.

The Energy Research Roadmap is one of a series of Roadmaps for Science that are designed to guide areas of New Zealand’s science and research activity.

Contact talk2us@morst.govt.nz if you would like to be sent a free paper copy of the Roadmap.

July 2008 update

Research direction and investment

  • Budget 2006 announced new funding of $11.7 million over four years to assist New Zealand move to a more sustainable energy future.  Some of this funding was used to fund a suite of “Energyscape” projects. The first of these will provide a comprehensive picture of the range of New Zealand's energy resources, their potential and the constraints on their use.  This will be supported by more detailed analyses of biofuels and hydrogen opportunities. 
  • Budget 2007 announced a further $32.5 million of new funding for energy research over four years.  This is broken down to:
    • $10 million invested across the range of renewable energy opportunities.
    • $4 million to support deep geothermal energy research. 
    • $4 million through the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, will fund the Low Carbon Energy Technologies beyond its current three year funding.
    • $14.5 m will be used to support transformational renewable energy research opportunities that are particularly valuable for NZ. This is one of the six transformational areas of research, science and technology that have been identified by MoRST

Coordination and Connections

  • National Energy Research Institute (NERI) arose through an initiative of Otago University to provide better coordination and access to energy research in New Zealand and enhanced teaching about energy related research.  NERI received TEC funding in 2007 and in a short time has expanded its horizons to encompass energy research in CRIs and energy companies. 
  • The former Minister of RS&T, Hon Steve Maharey, visited Washington in 2007 and began the development of much closer relations with the US Department of Energy (DOE). A second visit to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver by RS&T Minister Hon Pete Hodgson in June 2008 has enhanced these links.  New Zealand is working closely with the DOE on progressing initiatives to support renewable energy deployment in island nations and also research to better understand deep geothermal opportunities.
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Page updated 31 Jul 2008