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Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG)

11 June 2026

SERG develops cutting-edge technology assessment, simulation, and optimisation models to support decarbonisation strategies and energy transition policies.

HOW TO APPLY
Our Research Focus
Nga kaupapa kua tohua

University of Canterbury’s Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) works across four key pillars of the global energy transition, with a strong focus on energy systems modelling, technology assessment, simulation, and optimisation.

Our research spans multi-sector energy transition pathways, urban and distributed energy systems, carbon-negative systems and Power-to-X technologies, and the resilience of energy systems under climate risk and uncertainty. Through this work, we contribute to the design of sustainable energy systems and evidence-based policy pathways involving renewable integration, future fuels, carbon capture and storage, demand flexibility, and resilient infrastructure planning.

We actively collaborate with international partners across academia, industry, and government, and welcome opportunities for Horizon Europe collaboration, research exchange and partnerships aligned with these research areas.

Energy Systems Modelling

We design and analyse decarbonisation pathways that integrate electricity, heat, transport, and industry. Using advanced energy system models (REMix-NZ, PyPSA-NZ), we explore scenarios that align renewable integration, storage, and demand-side flexibility with policy and market frameworks for robust, cost-effective strategies.

Urban Energy Systems

Our research advances the design, optimisation, and integration of decentralised and urban energy solutions. Using GIS-based tools like FlexiGIS-NZ, we assess spatial demand-side flexibility, urban energy hubs, socio-economic impacts and sustainable transitions for urban planning and growing cities. 

Resilience and climate Risks

We assess the resilience of energy systems under multi-hazard conditions and deep uncertainty. Methodologies integrate climate impact modelling, hazard stress testing, and socio-environmental co-benefit analysis to design stable energy systems resilient to disruptions, extreme weather events, and market shocks.

Power To X

We explore pathways to net-negative emissions by combining carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) with renewable-powered synthetic fuels and hydrogen. Our expertise covers techno-economic modelling, integration of Power-to-X into decarbonised grids, biomass-to-product chains, and aquifer-based storage. 


Join us!
Hono mai!

University of Canterbury’s Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) is seeking outstanding postgraduate candidates for supervision intending to pursue competitive scholarship opportunities, who are passionate about advancing renewable energy research and contributing to the global energy transition.

We welcome supervision applications from highly motivated individuals with an excellent academic background, strong research potential, and interests aligned with SERG’s key research areas. We are also happy to host self-funded visiting researchers and interns.

IMPORTANT: Due to the high level of interest in our group, we are only able to consider candidates who demonstrate strong academic merit and a clear alignment with our research focus. Check for UC requirements and documentation before applying for supervision.  

All postgraduate applicants must complete the application form to be considered for supervision opportunities within the group. To express your interest, please apply through the button below:


Renewable Energy Studies at UC

Advance your career at the undergraduate, Master's or PhD level at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Canterbury in NZ.  Work on real-world research projects in hydrogen, storage, carbon removal, and climate resilience.
Scholarships available, check for eligibility. 

lecturer in class

Horizon Europe Partnerships

Partner with New Zealand’s largest energy systems research group for your Horizon Europe proposal. SERG maintains strong global partnerships with Germany, Latin America, and the Pacific region. Please contact our Team Leaders or Global Engagement Specialist to explore how we can contribute to your consortium.

Joint
Initiatives

Partner with the Sustainable Energy Research Group to access cutting-edge modelling, scenario analysis, and policy-relevant insights.
We’re open to consultancy, academic–industry collaborations and initiatives that drive innovation in renewable energy strategies and technologies, for public and private sectors.

Opportunities at SERG

We welcome supervision candidates with relevant academic merit and a clear research alignment with SERG. Applicants are expected to secure competitive scholarship funding or apply through positions officially advertised by SERG through our LinkedIn page. All candidates must complete the application form to be considered.

Candidates Requirements

If your organisation is interested in exploring collaboration opportunities, we would be delighted to connect.

We welcome conversations around research collaboration, consortium building, joint funding applications, and knowledge exchange across our key research areas in energy systems and decarbonisation.

SERG offers technical expertise and experience in international strategic partnerships and collaborative research programmes involving industry, government, and communities including Horizon Europe, MBIE Endeavour, DFG, ANID Chile, Notre Dame, ETH Zurich, Ministry of Energy Chile, Berlin Energy & Grid Holding, University Stutgart, The German Aerospace Centre DLR, Cambridge, LUT Finland and others.

Please contact our Global Engagement Specialist to arrange an introductory meeting and explore potential synergies.


Our People
To Tatou Tangata

SERG team is a diverse and multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, experts and collaborators working togheter to deliver real-world impact in sustainable energy systems research.

Meet our Team Leaders:

Associate Professor Jannik Haas. Lectures Energy Systems Modelling, Sustainable Energy Technologies, and Energy Policy, and Society. Researches energy systems economics.

Senior Lecturer Above the Bar Rebecca PeerLectures Energy Policy, and Society, Sustainable Energy Technologies, and Systems Engineering for a Changing Climate. Researches energy systems sustainability.

Meet our Associate Academics:

Professor David Dempsey. Researches subsurface flows and carbon capture and removal.

Adjunct Professor Grant Read. Researches energy markets and economics.

Adjunct Research Fellow Ana Pueyo. Researches islands energy transitions.

Meet our Team:

Belen Silva, Sustainable Energy Funding and Partnerships Strategist (Horizon Europe and Latin America). 

  1. Dr. Rasul Satymov (Postdoctoral researcher): Uncertainty quantification of energy transitions
  2. Dr. Vikash Singh (Postdoctoral researcher): Biomass for low-carbon cement.
  3. Dr. Karan Titus (Postdoctoral researcher): Carbon-negative geothermal energy
  4. Dr. Hadi Vatankhah-Ghadim (Postdoctoral researcher): Power-to-X and national energy system planning.
  5. Melissa Boo (Research Assistant) 
  6. Francisco Astorga (PhD researcher): Social and environmental impacts of energy futures
  7. Sophie Braddick (Industry PhD researcher): Uncertainty modelling in energy transitions
  8. Akash Handique (PhD researcher): Energy transitions for the Pacific Islands
  9. Meihui Huang (PhD researcher): On- and Off-shore wind power models
  10. Meisy Fortunatus (PhD researcher): Resilience of future energy systems 
  11. Catalina Klausen (PhD researcher): Optimisation of CO2 capture and storage systems
  12. Patrick Martin (external PhD researcher - Uni. Stuttgart): Smart water-energy systems
  13. Cesar Montenegro (Incoming PhD researcher): Precision Fermentation
  14. Haolong Pang (PhD researcher): Multi-service battery modelling
  15. Gregor Riha (incoming PhD researcher): Industrial energy strategies
  16. Vicente Sepulveda (PhD researcher): Long-term storage with hydrogen
  17. Amir Shahmohammadi (incoming PhD researcher): Synthetic fuel modelling
  18. Grant Telfar (Industry PhD researcher): Centralised versus decentralised energy management
  19. Rodrigo Zamorano (PhD researcher): Carbon storage modelling in aquifers
  20. Madison Zegeer (PhD researcher): Robust decision-making for energy futures

Recent alumni of SERG:

  • Dr. Rafaella Canessa (PhD at SERG): now at ETH, Zurich
  • Dr. Simon Moreno (co-supervised PhD at SERG): now at Berlin Energy and Grid Holding
  • Dr. Matias Paredes (co-supervised PhD at SERG): now at the Ministry of Energy of Chile
  • Dr. Stella Steidl (PhD at SERG): now at ETH Zurich
  • Dr. Baxter Williams (Postdoc at SERG): now at University of Notre Dame

  • Fabian Dunker, Inverse Problems,  Mathematics and Statistics, UC
  • Mehdi Ekbatani, Transportation Systems, Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, UC
  • Markus Pahlow, Water Systems, Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, UC
  • Alaa Alhamwi, Energy Systems Analysis, German Aerospace Centre, Germany
  • Alice Bennet, Environment and Sustainable Development Engineering, University of Cambridge
  • Christian Breyer, Solar Economy, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Finland
  • Andre Cabrera, Environment and Sustainable Development Engineering, University of Cambridge
  • Felipe Feijoo, Electrical Power Systems, Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile
  • Hans Christian Gils, Energy Systems Analysis, German Aerospace Centre, Germany
  • Pierluigi Mancarella, Chair Of Electrical Power Systems, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Wided Medjroubi, Energy Systems Analysis, University of Groningen
  • Rodrigo Moreno, Institute of Complex Engineering Systems, University of Chile, Chile
  • Wolfgang Nowak, Stochastic Simulation and Safety Research for Hydrosystems, University of Stuttgart, Germany
  • Rodrigo Palma, Energy Center, University of Chile, Chile
  • Philip Odonkor, Department of Systems and Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, U.S.
  • Matias Paredes, Energy Ministry of Chile
  • Ana Pueyo, Adjunct Research Fellow at SERG
  • Rachel Wagner, Saint Francis University, U.S.
  • Manuel Wetzel, Energy Systems Analysis, German Aerospace Centre, Germany

We thank the diverse science agencies and universities for fostering global academic exchange. We are happy to host visiting researchers.
Recently we have hosted (sorted by date):
 
  • Cristiane Carvalho (visiting professor from Universidad Magallanes, Chile, 2026): large-scale hydrogen hubs.
  • Juana Fernandez (visiting researcher from Universidad de Chile, 2026): Energy Communities
  • Emma Carpenter (visitng intern from Dartmouth College, United States, 2026): Prospective LCA 
  • Paul Fabianek (visiting researcher from RWTH Aachen, Germany, 2026): sustainable buildings strategies.
  • Michael Scheffler (incoming visiting professor from Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany, 2025): recycling of sustainable technologies.
  • Theresa Heinrich (visiting researcher from Fraunhofer FIT, Germany, 2025): CO2 certificates for the hydrogen supply chain.
  • Sven Teske (visiting professor from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, 2025): future energy vectors.
  • Pierluigi Mancarella (visiting professor from the University of Melbourne, 2025): future power systems.
  • Rodrigo Palma (visiting professor from the University of Chile, 2025): solar energy systems.
  • Alice Bennett (visiting researcher from Cambridge, 2025): hydrogen technologies modelling.
  • Andre Cabrera (visiting professor from Cambridge, 2025): energy systems.
  • Alicia Pilsl, Michael Kasenbacher, Simon Stuber (visiting interns from the University of Regensburg, Germany, 2024): energy futures.
  • Juan Carlos Osorio-Aravena (visiting senior researcher from the Solar Energy Research Center, Chile, 2024): future energy sector demands for New Zealand.
  • Leon Schumm (visiting researcher from the University of Regensburg, Germany, 2024): PyPSA for New Zealand
  • Ali Torkayesh (visiting researcher from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany, 2024): social preferences on future energy systems
  • Manuel Wetzel (visiting researcher from the German Aerospace Centre, Germany, 2024): hydrogen infrastructure planning for NZ and Germany
  • Patrick Martin (visiting researcher from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, 2024): smart water-energy systems
  • Neven Duić (visiting professor from the University of Zagreb, 2024): how to build 100% RES energy systems
  • Melissa Ale (visiting researcher from the University of Chile, Chile, 2023): resilient planning for NZ's energy system 
  • Ashish Gulagi (visiting senior researcher from the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Finland, 2023): multi-sector planning for NZ
  • Will McNeil (visiting researcher from University of California Berkeley, U.S., 2023): sustainable heavy-truck transport
  • Rachel Wagner (visiting professor from Saint Francis University, U.S., 2023): co-impacts of energy transitions
  • Christina Benighaus (visiting senior researcher from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, 2023): social risk communications of energy transitions 
  • Carlos Alvear (visiting researcher from the University of Chile, Chile, 2022): strategic hydrogen reserves for NZ and Chile

Our Highlighted Projects

Nga kaupapa kua tohua

Derisking Carbon Dioxide Removal at Megatonne Scale in Aotearoa 

Dempsey D. et al. (inc. Peer R., Haas J.)

NZ MBIE Endeavour

2025-2029

Pūhiko Nukutū: a green hydrogen geostorage battery in Taranaki

Nicol A., Dempsey D., et al. (inc Peer R.)

NZ MBIE Endeavour

2022-2027 

New Zealand-German platform for green hydrogen integration (HINT)

Haas J., Peer R. et al.

German BMBF, NZ MBIE

2022-2025 

Pathways to net-zero carbon buildings and communities

Bellamy L, Peer R, McNabb S.

BRANZ

2022-2025 

Enhancing risk assessment by understanding cascading failures

Logan T., Peer R., Zorn C.

Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE

2022-2025

Methods for the coordinated optimization of water supply systems with evolving energy systems under deep climatic uncertainty.  [In colaboration with Universität Stuttgart]

Nowak W., Haas J.

German DFG 

2022-2025 


  1. Osorio-Aravena J. C., Aghahosseini A., Bogdanov D., Caldera U., Ghorbani N., Nii Odai Mensah T., Haas J., Muñoz-Cerón E., Breyer C. “Synergies of electrical and sectoral integration: analysing geographical multi-node scenarios with sector coupling variations for a transition towards a fully renewables-based energy system”. Energy, Vol. 279, Sep 2023, Link
  2. Paredes-Vergara M., Palma-Behnke R., Haas J. “Characterizing decision making under deep uncertainty for model-based energy transitions”. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 192, Mar 2024, Link
  3. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Peer R., Read E.G., Haas J. “How much hydrogen could we need in New Zealand? Understanding the diverse hydrogen applications and their regional mapping”, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Jul 2024, Link
  4. Moreno-Leiva S., Haas J., Nowak W., Kracht W., Eltrop L., Breyer C. "Flexible copper: exploring capacity-based energy demand flexibility in the industry", Energy, Jun 2024, Link
  5. Alvear C., Haas J., Palma-Behnke R., Peer, R., Medina J. P., Kern J. “Green hydrogen exports in New Zealand and Chile can improve electricity supply security if configured as local energy insurance”, Energy, Jun 2024, Link
  6. Zegeer M., Haas J., Peer R. “Can Residential Energy Systems Withstand the Heat? Quantifying Solar Photovoltaic and Heat Pump Yields for Future New Zealand Climate Conditions”. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability, Jan. 2025, Link
  7. Osorio-Aravena J. C., Reyes-Chamorro L., Haas J., Aguilera J., Palma-Behnke R., Breyer C. “Insights for informing energy transition policies – Are decision makers listening to science? The case of Chile”. Energy Strategy Reviews, Mar. 2025, Link
  8. Gulagi A., Keiner D., Canessa R., Satymov R., ElSayed M., Peer R., Haas J., Breyer C. “Analysing techno-economic impacts of integrating wave power to achieve carbon neutrality and e-fuel exports: A case for New Zealand". Energy, Mar. 2025, Link
  9. Langer L., Bruninx K., Bjørn A., Barner L., Lavalley J., Vatankhah Ghadim H., Bramstoft R. "Ensuring low-emission electricity purchasing requires a broader systems perspective". iScience, Apr. 2025, Link
  10. Vatankhah Ghadim H., Haas J., Breyer C., Gils H.C., Read E.G., Xiao M., Peer R. “Are we too pessimistic? Cost projections for solar photovoltaics, wind power, and batteries are over-estimating actual costs”. Applied Energy, Apr. 2025, Link

Our Services
Ko a maatau ratonga

SERG offers technical advise and collaborations with companies and other entities in the private and public sector in a wide range of energy-related areas. Please, contact our team leaders or Global Engagement Specialist if you want to discuss further. We'll be glad to explore new projects and opportunities for collaboration.

 

Lifecycle assessment of products and prospective energy technologies (e.g. with Simapro)

Capacity expansion planning (e.g. with REMix-NZ and PyPSA-NZ)

Urban energy system analysis (e.g. with FlexiGIS-NZ)

International energy policies and strategies advice


Our Events
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SERG regularly participates in and hosts international conferences, workshops, and symposiums to advance research and foster collaboration in sustainable energy, for example the Third New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium 2025 (NZHS-3).

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