Recordings

This webinar featured Bryan Leyland MSc, DistFEngNZ, who examined the challenges of relying on large-scale wind and solar for New Zealand’s energy future. Bryan discussed seasonal variability, multi-day wind droughts, and the need for affordable long-term storage to ensure reliability. He compared the costs of different storage solutions, argued for nuclear power as a more viable option, and highlighted concerns around security risks from imported inverters. The session provided a candid, technical view of the risks and realities of decarbonising New Zealand’s power supply.

This webinar offered a deep technical look at the engineering innovations driving modern nuclear submarine design. Dr Vinay Karanam explored advancements in reactor propulsion efficiency, including the reactor-following-turbine approach for optimal energy use, and improvements in control rod automation for enhanced safety and fuel management. The session covered heat exchanger performance, composite materials, and hydrodynamic optimisation, highlighting how computational modelling and AI are shaping the next generation of submarine systems with greater endurance, stealth, and operational efficiency.

This webinar featured Mike Dunstall, General Manager Development at Contact Energy, presenting the major redevelopment of the Wairākei geothermal power station through the Te Mihi project. The session explored how replacing Wairākei A and B with more efficient units will reduce environmental impact on the Waikato River while optimising the use of existing geothermal resources. Attendees learned about modifications to steam field infrastructure, new production and reinjection wells, and how multiple stations will be integrated to deliver reliable, sustainable electricity for New Zealand’s decarbonisation goals.

This webinar explored the design and delivery of the Mangere high-lift pump station, the key component of Watercare’s $1.5 billion Central Interceptor project. Presenters Steve Grace and Hamish Spence outlined the scale of the 16.2 km tunnel and link sewers before detailing the pump station’s six 750 kW pumps, foul-air treatment, HV systems, and emergency power. The session covered design considerations, procurement challenges, construction staging, and commissioning risks, highlighting how this “jewel in the crown” enables wastewater to reach the treatment plant for processing.

This webinar brought together three New Zealand university teams competing in Formula SAE, the international student engineering competition to design, build, and race small formula-style cars. The teams shared insights into their 8–12 month process, from concept and design to fabrication and testing, and discussed the challenges of preparing for static and dynamic events including cost analysis, engineering design, and endurance racing. Attendees gained a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and teamwork driving these student-led projects.

This webinar introduced a novel multiscale modelling approach to improve the design and performance of mechanical components for lunar rover missions. Dr Vinay Karanam presented how techniques such as density functional theory, molecular dynamics, and finite element analysis can accurately predict material behaviour under extreme lunar conditions. The session explored the challenges of landing at the lunar South Pole, from rugged terrain to radiation exposure, and demonstrated how advanced computational optimisation can enhance durability and reliability in future lunar exploration missions.

This webinar summarised key outcomes from the 2023 New Zealand Hydrogen Council Summit, marking the shift from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects. Presenter Mark Booth, General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation’s Auckland Branch, reviewed active hydrogen initiatives across New Zealand and introduced international projects by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The session explored how these examples could be applied locally, highlighting the opportunities for hydrogen to play a critical role in New Zealand’s wider decarbonisation and energy transition efforts.

This webinar featured Steve Lockwood, retired Chartered Mechanical Engineer, sharing the story behind the design of the Esslinger BB7 midget speedway racing engine. Steve described his work on the prototype during his time at Buckley Systems, leading to a four-cylinder, 2.7-litre methanol engine producing over 380 horsepower at 9000 rpm. Attendees learned how the BB7 became the most successful engine in its class across New Zealand and Australia and achieved top results in US national racing events.

This webinar introduced the University Aeronautics Club’s ambitious Human Powered Aircraft project, aiming for the first successful HPA flight in New Zealand. Students shared how the club was formed, outlined project tasks, and discussed the challenges and learning outcomes of this build. Roger Warren, experienced HPA designer and pilot, presented the design plan based on the proven Airglow aircraft, highlighting improvements in aerodynamics, propeller design, and ergonomics to maximise the chances of a successful flight and set a new Southern Hemisphere record.

This webinar featured Oskar Stielau, inventor and pilot of New Zealand’s first electric helicopter, ZK-IAB. Oskar shared how he pioneered a world-first tail rotor concept, replacing the traditional single rotor with an array of smaller, independently driven rotors. The session explored the technical and certification challenges of developing an electric helicopter from a Parakai hangar and highlighted the innovation that led to one of the first helicopters worldwide with independently powered main and tail rotors.

This webinar focused on Auckland’s Central Interceptor, New Zealand’s longest tunnel and largest wastewater project. Lead engineer Stephen Grace shared how cascade drop shafts are used in the scheme and how physical modelling at the University of Auckland Fluids Lab informed their design. The session provided a construction update, discussed the benefits of prefabricated shaft liners, and highlighted the project’s role in improving Auckland’s beach water quality while tackling complex engineering and environmental challenges.

This webinar introduced EnergyBank, a New Zealand start-up developing deep ocean gravitational energy storage to solve the energy storage challenge. Tim explained how the technology uses ocean depths to provide 40–100 hour storage for floating offshore wind, enabling firm, zero-marginal-cost electricity. The session covered the global energy storage market, progress in floating wind projects, and the key risks EnergyBank is addressing to commercialise this scalable solution capable of helping entire countries transition to renewable power.

This webinar featured Roger Warren discussing the fascinating world of Human Powered Flight (HPA). Roger shared his experience refurbishing and flying the 1990s HPA “Airglow” and becoming the first New Zealander to achieve human powered flight. He outlined the engineering challenges, pilot constraints, and the development of the Icarus Cup Competition. The session explored the tasks, distances, and prizes of current HPA competitions, offering insight into this niche area of aviation and its continuing innovation.

This webinar explored the decarbonisation of steelmaking, with Dr Troy Coyle, CEO of HERA, sharing global and local initiatives to cut emissions in the industry. The session highlighted HERA’s Hōtaka Whakakore Puhanga Waro mō te hua rino, New Zealand’s zero-carbon steel programme, and the development of the country’s first Materials Passport. Attendees gained insight into how innovation, research, and collaboration are helping bring steelmaking out of the Iron Age and towards a low-carbon future.

This webinar profiled Pastoral Robotics’ Spikey, a New Zealand innovation tackling nitrate leaching and farm emissions. Founder Geoff Bates outlined how Spikey locates and treats urine patches to keep nitrogen on farm, directing more into herbage growth while reducing nitrate in waterways, ammonia, and nitrous oxide. Recognised by IMechE with the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Prize in 2020, the session covered the engineering behind the machine and the challenges of creating a new market niche.

This webinar covered Auckland’s Central Interceptor, Watercare’s deep tunnel that will run 19 km from Grey Lynn to Māngere. Presenter Steven Grace outlined the 4.5 m diameter gravity tunnel, 16 deep shafts, and a pump station delivering up to 6 cubic metres per second. The project will intercept overflows, add 240,000 cubic metres of storage, and improve harbour water quality. Topics included the TBM, odour control, safety, and the staged programme to 2025 to 2026.

This webinar featured Astrix Astronautics, a leading-edge New Zealand start-up revolutionising small satellite missions with high power systems. Co-founder and CEO Fia Jones shared how Astrix’s inflatable solar array technology overcomes mass and volume constraints, enabling more capable and reliable satellites. Attendees gained insights into the company’s journey in the growing New Zealand space industry and their upcoming space launch, showcasing the potential of local innovation in global space technology.

This webinar highlighted the latest developments from Ohmio, the Auckland-based company building driverless electric shuttles. Dr Mahmood Hikmet, Head of R&D, shared insights into the design, manufacturing, and economics of their level 4 autonomous vehicles, which provide first and last mile transport solutions. Attendees learned about the technology behind the shuttles, recent business progress, and experienced the excitement of this innovative New Zealand venture that is shaping the future of on-demand public transport.

This webinar explored how Emrod is turning Nikola Tesla’s vision of wireless power transmission into a commercial reality. Unlike short-range inductive charging, Emrod uses microwave energy beams to transmit kilowatts of power over hundreds of metres. Mark Tomkins, Product Manager at Emrod, shared insights into their working demonstration system and the progress made over the past year in developing scalable, commercial solutions for wireless power transmission across distance.

This webinar showcased the first high-speed electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere, soon to begin sea trials in Wellington Harbour. The 19m ferry carries 135 passengers at 20 knots under 100% electric power. Tony Stanton from Gurit discussed the innovative composite design, the challenges of creating a lightweight, zero-emissions vessel, and how a fully New Zealand team turned this pioneering project into reality, setting a benchmark for sustainable marine transport.