CRL Energy partnership awarded six-year environmental monitoring contract

10 January 2012

CRL Energy Ltd in partnership with Ecotech (an Australian-owned company with over 35 years experience in providing the world with environmental monitoring instruments and services) has been awarded a six year environmental monitoring contract for the Waterview Connection project in Auckland. > > Read More

CRL Energy research programme earns gold rating from Government

20 December 2011

On 15 December, CRL Energy received feedback from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) that it’s Government-funded “Delivering Pathways to Mineral Wealth and Environmental Sustainability” research programme had earned a “gold rating” from the Government ministry. > > Read More

CCS a key technology

28 November 2011

CRL Energy’s Dr Trevor Matheson was the New Zealand delegate at the recent 20th anniversary meeting of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme in London. The IEA programme investigates, promotes, and disseminates information on technical solutions for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. > > Read More

Silicon nitride nanofibres continue on winning streak

26 October 2011

In early October, CRL Energy was selected as an overall finalist in the New Zealand Innovators’ Awards 2011 (Emerging Innovator Award) for the development of silicon nitride nanofibres. The new method of producing the high-value nanofibres was discovered and developed by researchers at CRL Energy and Victoria University of Wellington, and uses low cost New Zealand feedstocks such as coal, sand, and nitrogen from the air. > > Read More

Proceedings of the AusIMM 2011 workshop

4 October 2011

Proceedings of the AusIMM 2011 workshop are now available (PDF 9MB).

2011 World Energy Council survey finds that the outlook for energy is becoming more uncertain

16 September 2011

Energy Leader’s gathering in Brazil for a summit organised by the energy leaders’ network, the World Energy Council (WEC), will hear that the outlook for the sustainable supply and use of energy has become more uncertain in 2011. This comes in the context of the significant events and economic uncertainty that have affected the energy sector over the past two years. > > Read More

Spontaneous Combustion Tests now at CRL Energy's Buller Lab

15 September 2011

Both open-cut and underground coal mine operations can self-heat and spontaneously combust – causing devastating mine fires and explosions. A major issue facing the coal industry is reliable hazard management plans with identification of spontaneous combustion potential before mining, during transportation, and when stockpiling coal. > > Read More

West Coast MP opens new CRL Energy Buller Office

29 June 2011

The Hon. Chris Auchinvole, MP for West Coast and Tasman, today officially opened CRL Energy's new office in Westport. The facility will be offering coal technology and mine geology services for operations in the Buller region. > > Read More

New Global Energy Scenarios

09 May 2011

Dr Rob Whitney, CEO of CRL Energy and Chairman of the Energy Federation New Zealand, is to chair a new World Energy Council (WEC) Global Energy Policy Scenarios Study. > > Read More

New Zealand nanotechnology for reinforcing high tech materials

05 April 2011

CRL Energy and Victoria University of Wellington’s commercialisation company Viclink have formed a joint venture company, Pacific Nanofibres, to commercialise the development of silicon nitride nanofibres from coal and sand. > > Read More

CRL Energy scientist has “Brightest Idea in Science”

30 March 2011

From June to October, 2010, Dr Troy Dougherty, a scientist at CRL Energy on the forefront of current nanofibre development, participated in the Bright Ideas Competition run by Grow Wellington. Out of 1,233 entries Dr Dougherty was awarded the Brightest Idea in the Science Category and runner up in the overall competition. > > Read More

Pike River Mine tradegy

24 November 2010

On behalf of myself and the team at CRL Energy we would like to extend our sympathies to the families, friends, and colleagues of the 29 miners and contractors lost in the Pike River Mine disaster. Today is a day not just of loss for the mining community but of tragedy for the whole nation. - Dr Rob Whitney, CEO, CRL Energy Ltd.

Pike River Mine explosion

22 November 2010

CRL Energy shares everyone’s concerns for the 29 trapped miners at the Pike River Mine. On behalf of CRL Energy Staff and Board members, CEO Dr Rob Whitney would like to offer his heartfelt thoughts to the miners and their family and friends who wait anxiously. > > Read More

CRL Energy develops new silicon nitride nanofibre technology

01 October 2010

CRL Energy and Viclink (Victoria University of Wellington’s commercialisation company) are set to commercialise a new way to make silicon nitride nanofibres that is not only up to 100 times cheaper than current production methods, but will also allow the creation of metal matrix composites that outperform existing metal matrix reinforcing materials (such as silicon carbide powders) on a price/performance basis. > > Read More

CRL Energy weathers Christchurch quake

08 September 2010

CRL Energy in Christchurch is relatively unscathed by the 7.1 magnitude quake that rocked Canterbury on Saturday morning when a previously unknown fault ruptured causing major damage to much of the city. > > Read More

CRL Energy ownership

13 July 2010

The Coal Association of New Zealand is pleased to announce its buy back of the Genesis Energy 50 per cent shareholding in CRL Energy. The Association is now the sole owner.
> > Read More

From coal to clean energy

31 March 2010

CRL Energy in Lower Hutt has successfully demonstrated the full chain from coal to hydrogen-fuelled electricity using a palladium-based membrane. Chief Executive Dr Rob Whitney says the palladium-based membranes, supplied by the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), were used in a unique experiment to convert coal gas to hydrogen with the high-purity level required by a fuel cell.  > > Read More

Obituary of Dr Anthony Heathcote Clemens: 18 July 1950 - 19 February 2010

25 February 2010 

CRL Energy’s General Manager of Research, Dr Tony Clemens, was a man who punched well above his weight on the international stage of scientific endeavour.  The world became a lesser place when he died suddenly on 19 February 2010 at age 59.  > > Read More

Environmental-best-practice mining research well received internationally

17 February 2010

Mining has been part of New Zealand’s history since the 1800s, producing gold, coal, aggregates, industrial minerals, limestone, and iron sands. It is an important part of the economy valued at approximately $1.5B/year (Crown Minerals 2007 – excludes petroleum). However, mining can have significant impacts on the environment, and so must be managed in a way to minimise those impacts and ensure environmental sustainability. > > Read More

Nano-scale research for geosequestration wins silver at Pittsburgh

08 October 2009

A research team including CRL Energy’s Research Manager Dr Tony Clemens has again won international accolades, this time a silver award for an “Outstanding Contribution” at the September 2009 Pittsburgh Coal Conference. The award is for a scientific paper produced as a result of their recent research at the US Argonne National Laboratory into the processes that occur when carbon dioxide is injected into various coal types. The work is to understand what happens at the atomic level to the pore spaces in coal if unminable coal seams are used as part of geosequestration. > > Read More

New coal prep knowledge already in use at CRL Energy

25 August 2009

CRL Energy’s coal preparation research officer, Ben Rumsey, has recently returned from a productive week in Rockhampton, Queensland with the Australian Coal Preparation Society (ACPS). Ben participated in the society’s General Coal Preparation Course which covered a wide range of topics including coal geology, mining methods, sampling and analysis, physical properties of coal, coal washability, principles of separation, classification, gravity separation process, fine coal beneficiation, dewatering, and plant practice. > > Read More

CCS Seminar attracts international experts

14 May 2009

On Monday, 27 April 2009, the Coal Association hosted a one-day seminar on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The seminar was organised by CRL Energy and included nine speakers from a variety of organisations in New Zealand and abroad who provided stakeholders with an update on the status and prospects for CCS globally. The seminar was attended by 63 participants including energy suppliers, users, officials and research providers. > > Read More

CRL Energy hosts British energy experts

15 April 2009

On 3 February, CRL Energy hosted a delegation of British clean and renewable energy experts at its Lower Hutt facility. The delegation was part of a ‘UK to NZ Energy Mission’ sponsored by the British High Commission and was in Lower Hutt as part of a business roundtable, which included GNS Science and IRL, to discuss carbon, capture and storage (CCS) projects in both countries, and to examine opportunities for collaborative research and investments in CCS R&D, and the sale and purchase of existing IP or products. > > Read More

Carbon capture and storage research in New Zealand

14 November 2008

At the beginning of the financial year, CRL Energy formed a new research partnership with GNS Science and the University of Auckland to assess the carbon capture and storage (CCS) potential of the Taranaki and Waikato regions. > > Read More

Coal preparation essential for the economic and environmental viability of coal

14 November 2008

An upturn in the coal industry, and the recognition of the value of coal preparation, has seen CRL Energy’s Gracefield coal preparation laboratory busier then ever. In the past financial year the laboratory has expanded, including increasing the float/sink area to process larger samples. > > Read More

CRL Energy's international CSG work

14 November 2008

CRL Energy’s Geology Group in Christchurch have for the last six years been on the cutting edge of helping several New Zealand clients with coal seam gas (CSG) interests, however, in the last financial year, the service has expanded to assist clients in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia. > > Read More

EnergyScape turns spotlight on future driving: biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells and electric cars

01 October 2008

The EnergyScape team from CRL Energy, Scion, IRL, GNS Science and NIWA have been examining the technology and the resources that New Zealand has available to create energy and provide fuel for the cars of the future. > > Read More

West Coast and Southland mine drainage workshop

01 October 2008

In July, the research consortium of scientists from CRL Energy, Canterbury University, Landcare Research and Otago University presented another successful workshop on their FRST-funded research programme into the environmental consequences of mine development on aquatic systems. The research programme is expected to take six years; currently the research group is at the start of year five. > > Read More

CRL Energy energy analyst elected to NZGA board

01 October 2008

CRL Energy’s Energy Engineer Research Analyst, Cito Gazo, has been elected to the board of the New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA) in a ballot held on 12 September. He will take up the position following the association’s AGM on 12 November. > > Read More

Genesis Energy take 50% Stake in CRL Energy: Boost for low-emission thermal future

21 July 2008

CRL Energy, New Zealand's leading research company of low-emission coal technologies, today announced the purchase of a 50 percent stake in its company by Genesis Energy.

All parties see the transaction as a significant boost for research and development of low-emission coal technologies in New Zealand; these technologies which include high efficiency coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen manufacture, will provide New Zealand with the option to make sustainable, low-emission power and vehicle fuel from the country's vast coal reserves.> > Read More

SpectraChem Analytical joins CRL Energy

5 May 2008

In January 2008, CRL Energy Ltd announced that SpectraChem Analytical Ltd has become part of its analytical services. The SpectraChem company specialises in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of a wide range of inorganic and organic materials such as rocks and soils, plant and animal tissue, metal alloys, industrial wastes, oils, foodstuffs, plastics and polymers. > > Read More

Energy Strategy to 2050

5 May 2008

In October last year the Prime Minister Helen Clark and Energy Minister David Parker launched the New Zealand Energy Strategy to 2050. David Parker said the strategy sets out how “we will deliver secure energy at affordable prices to support economic development, while at the same time being environmentally responsible and reducing carbon emissions from our energy production and use.” He also reiterated the Government’s announcement the previous month as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme to generate 90 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. > > Read More