Universities showcase success in energy sector

MEDIA RELEASE
Universities showcase success in energy sector

Wellington, 9 May 2011 – The University-Business Partnerships initiative continues to cultivate stronger working relationships between New Zealand’s private sector and the nations Universities at an event in Wellington highlighting developments in energy, infrastructure and water.

Geoff Todd, Managing Director at Viclink says, “We want to help business solve business problems and create new opportunities. The research being done in our universities and the innovations that are emerging can be harnessed by local businesses to improve they way they do business and their bottom line.”

Some of the latest research on offer includes Victoria University’s totally efficient “bach”. Using energy-efficient technology, the bach will compete with entrants from all over the world in the US later this year and will be on display in Wellington's Frank Kitts Park during the event. The house produces its own electricity, meaning never having to pay a power bill again.

Waikato University will also be showcasing its research towards developing retro-fit electricity monitoring and control devices for domestic homes that will allow householders to achieve smarter control of their own electricity consumption without compromising comfort. Among the other Waikato projects will be an initiative to identify novel enzymes for biofuel production. These include enzymes found in the gut of the humble huhu grub, which could hold valuable clues to creating bioethanol from wood waste.

The Transpower Reserve Management Tool, developed by Transpower and AUT, is also amongst the elite innovations at the event. It carries out complex real-time computation to estimate the optimal amount of electrical power to be purchased by the market to hedge against possible failures. Furthermore, the tool ensures that power is not being purchased unnecessarily ensuring a balance between low end-user prices for electricity and continuity of supply.

Auckland UniServices CEO, Peter Lee says, "The events continue to attract the country’s business community from right around the country, which is fantastic to see. If we can continue to build on the momentum created here, things bode well for realising the full potential of R&D in New Zealand.”

Businesses interested in attending these events should visit: http://www.universitypartnerships.co.nz/2011Events.aspx

ENDS

About the event series:

In May last year UCONZ, comprising of the eight Universities around the country, and Business NZ, with funding from the Tertiary Education Commission, launched the scheme to further enhance the working relationship between New Zealand’s Universities and the private sector, and to promote research and development in New Zealand.

© Scoop Media