Energy research drive

A push is under way among some universities to join forces with energy researchers to create a new Energy and Environmental Security Institute.

University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor (research) Geoff White said the initiative was a response to the "growing need to address a fundamental issue".

There was "considerable tension growing in the community over the issue of energy - skyrocketing prices, supply security concerns, worry over environmental issues such as climate change - and people are looking for answers."

White said there was a lot of good work going on in the universities, research associations and Crown research institutes, but it was highly fragmented.

The institute is designed to foster collaboration among leading energy researchers. "World-class research properly supported and well co-ordinated is needed to provide a sustainable pathway to the future," said White.

Universities involved are Otago, Canterbury, Lincoln, Victoria and Massey. Other agencies said to be interested are Industrial Research, Crop and Food Research, CRL Energy and the Centre for Advanced Engineering.