Energy Physics

Our research group carries out fundamental and applied research into a wide range of sustainable energy areas.  We specialize in applying methods from theoretical physics to the sustainable energy area, but collaborate closely with a wide range of other disciplines.

Current areas of interest include:

National Energy system modelling.

Hydrogen could have many roles in an energy system. Energy system modelling is required to determine which roles make most sense environmentally and economically compared to other options (source Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020, 4, 80-90).

In this research we explore future sustainable energy scenarios for New Zealand with a number of collaborators. This includes using detailed models of the New Zealand electricity system and a System Dynamics model of New Zealand energy economy. Recent investigations include: the role of demand response in a 100% renewable electricity system, seasonal variability of EV charging and the role of hydrogen.

Ultra-efficient housing

Seasonal variation of heating demand of various building codes in 2050. Shows that very efficient buildings can significantly reduce the winter peak. This is critical as we move to renewable resources and more and more heating is electrified.

This research is focused on exploring future scenarios of high uptake of ultra-efficient nearly-zero and net-zero energy housing and their potential benefits for reducing peaks in the electricity system. We also explore the relationship between operational and embodied energy and carbon in ultra-efficient buildings. We have received NZ Government funding for this research and currently have fully -funded PhD and MSc studentships available in this area.

Demand flexibility and smart electricity grids

A battery charging and discharging to maintain a 1.5 kW power cap for a single house. Aggregating battery storage over many houses significantly reduces the battery storage required to smooth load.

The main issue with renewable energy supplies is their variability. There is a lot of potential for smart devices, such as, appliances, electric vehicles, battery storage, smart hot water cylinders to be used in smart, flexible ways to manage this variability. This is referred to as demand fleibility. With a number of collaborators we are carrying out research on many demand flexibility topics, including smart control of batteries, electric vehicle and hot water cylinders. Demand flexibility is also often used with solar PV and microgrids.

Molecular motors – fundamentals of energy transfer at the molecular scale

Energy transfer in molecular motors can be understood as Brownian motion on a two dimensional free energy landscape. The landscape guides the Brownian motion so that it is downhill in one dimension and uphill in the other
One example landscape that has deep wells in the chemical degree of freedom and shallow in the mechanical. Global drift of the Brownian motion exhibits interesting patterns.

In this more fundamental area we use fundamental physics theories to understand how biological systems convert energy efficiently at the molecular scale. Inside the cell proteins can convert chemical energy to mechanical and electrical energy and vice versa. These proteins are called molecular motors. We are especially interested in how collective behaviour can arise in many interacting molecular motors. This is an interesting non equilibrium phenomena but also has some interesting technological applications.

Peruse a list of our recent publications

Look over our research opportunities for interested students

See current and previous group members