EPECentre

19/08/2026

Sharee McNab and Hamish Avery from the EPECentre recently caught up with RNZ to chat about SOLAR-MOVE and other interesting projects. Listen to the interview here:

Time now for Our Changing World, this week host Claire Concannon heads to the University of Canterbury to learn about New Zealand's role in a multi-national project called Solar-Move. Solar-move is looking at whether electric vehicle uptake could be helped by putting solar panels on the vehicles, an...

09/08/2026

Fun and rewarding weekend for EPECentre team at the Go Green Expo in Christchurch. We were showcasing our new free and independent home energy tool and course, and sharing our learnings and knowledge with the community.
Key takeaways for us were the confusion and suspicion around conflicting advice from vendors, and the prevalence of ancient myths around EVs. There is a gap here, and lots of work to do.

21/06/2026

Check out the full article here: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2026/kiwi-research-spotlights-solar-power-for-future-evs

Could solar panels on EVs help take pressure off New Zealand’s power grid? ☀️🚗

New UC research is exploring how solar panels mounted on electric cars and buses could help reduce demand on the grid and potentially extend EV driving range by 5-10km per day.

UC’s Electric Power Engineering Centre (EPECentre) team has received $452,000 in grants as part of Horizon Europe’s SOLAR-MOVE initiative, with UC the only non-European partner involved in the international project.

As part of the research, the team will trial solar-assisted “last mile delivery” using electric buggies on campus.

EPECentre Director Dr Hamish Avery says the project is about finding practical solutions that fit into everyday life while supporting a cleaner, more efficient transport future.

20/10/2024

Looking for a summer scholarship?

There are opportunities to investigate questions relating to transport, including one working with EPECentre Transition Research Engineer, Patricio Gallardo.

When and value: 400 hours (approx. 10 weeks) over the summer with tax-free stipend of $7,500
Application closing date: Tuesday 22nd October 11am

Please check the link to see details of the projects and how to apply!

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11/07/2024

Do you know an aspiring Electrical or Power Engineer wanting to be part of Aotearoa NZ’s sustainable, renewable and decarbonised energy future? The Aruhiko PEET Incoming First Year Scholarship offers 12 school leavers $2,000 to study First Year BE (Hons) at the University of Canterbury in 2025. Applications are open now and close 15 August 2024.
Learn more here: https://www.peetnz.org/scholarships.html

02/05/2024

Congratulations to the team for another successful Aruhiko PEET Power Systems Field Trip and thank you to everyone who helped with organising and hosting our group.

Each year, on behalf of Aruhiko PEET, we run a 4-day field trip in either the North or South Island. This year, the trip was held in the North Island, starting in Wellington, and travelling up to Auckland, stopping at wind, hydro, thermal and geothermal generation sites, HVDC switchyard and substation, transmission coordination centre, battery storage and distribution as well as a major energy user.

EPECentre team members David Humm, Sharee McNab, Rachel Maw and UC ECE's Paul Agger lead the group of 28 UC students from Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Mechatronics Engineering. Student feedback was fantastic and appreciative of being able to see how the whole power system works together. We are so grateful to all our hosts, their enthusiasm for their jobs and passing on that enthusiasm to the students!

Check out the daily trip summaries and photos on the Aruhiko PEET LinkedIn page:
⚡Day 1 - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7185568179081936897
⚡Day 2 - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7185936488499458049
⚡Day 3 - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7186302698391011328
⚡Day 4 - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7186857939708645376

18/03/2024

Our Aruhiko PEET member, AECOM, has many opportunities for 2025 graduate engineers in a range of disciplines. Check out the link to learn more. Applications close 7 April 2024!

Deliver a Better World with AECOM’s early career opportunities Why choose AECOM?  AECOM stands out as a beacon of excellence and ethics in the global infrastructure sector, honoured as both the “World’s Most Admired Company” and the “World’s Most Ethical Company” by Fortune and Ethisp...

18/03/2024

Are you a Fourth Year Engineering student looking for a graduate job? Check out our Aruhiko PEET member, Contact Energy's, graduate programme opportunity! Applications open 22 April.

Apply online for Graduate Development Programme at Contact Energy & kick start your career with Prosple New Zealand/GradNewZealand.

21/02/2024

We are accepting expressions of interest for the 4-day North Island Power Systems Field Trip - https://learn.canterbury.ac.nz/mod/feedback/view.php?id=1913700

The annual Power Systems Field Trip take around 30 students each year to see the inner workings of NZ hydropower stations, wind farms, geothermal and co-generation plants, as well as some large-scale power consumers.

This trip is organised and administered by the EPECentre with financial and industry support provided through the membership of the Aruhiko Power Engineering Excellence Trust (PEET).