Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources - NIER

Background

NIER was established in 2010 with a clear agenda – to provide a new collective based model for critical research in energy and resources. As a multidisciplinary research hub, NIER is driven by a vision of global leadership based on galvanising the research community across disciplines and across the sector to address the rapidly emerging issues of resource sustainability, the transformation of the energy system, and productivity.

NIER research priorities sit alongside the energy reform agenda of government, industry and community and address rapidly emerging issues in the energy and resources sector.

Specifically, NIER is engaged in research for:

•Safe, new methods of managing ventilation air methane (VAM) generated by underground coal mines

•The reduction of energy and water consumption in industries including coal and mineral processing

•The reduction of carbon emissions through next generation carbon capture and storage technologies

•Alternative energy sources, including geothermal and polymer solar cells

•Improved efficiency in power generation

•Climate change variability and adaption

•Health and safety in the resources sector

•The social dimension of energy and resource management