People
Dr Batstone has a background in management science and has worked in the energy industry for more than six years. He says NERI has a very exciting new role, as it specifically targets bridging the gap between energy researchers and others, such as the energy industry, government and consumers.
"While the electricity industry has evolved from a primarily engineering knowledge base, it is clear that future electricity systems and markets call for a wide range of disciplines to be involved in research. NERI offers a wonderful opportunity for industry and potential investors to tap into the combined strength of many of New Zealand's research institutions."
Dr Batstone will be based at Otago University's Auckland Centre, but a regular visitor to the Dunedin campus.
Dr Lynch has a strong track record in education, particularly at tertiary level where her work has been recognised with a National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award. She also has a strong background in project initiation and developing multi-party partnerships. Pip will be leading national initiatives in energy education that reach across and link between secondary and tertiary institutions, industry, government, and community organisations.
"Energy and our collective engagement in it is one of the most important challenges New Zealanders face right now and for the foreseeable future. I am excited to be involved in the development of education and research initiatives so central to New Zealand's future."
Dr Lynch will be based initially in the Centre for Innovation in Dunedin.
Annemarie Duff is drawn to NERI's philosophy of collaboration in energy research. She first worked on administrative tasks in the NERI office in a temporary capacity and returns with energy and enthusiasm in a fuller role. Annemarie is passionate about environmental issues.
“The energy challenges present and ahead of us demand solutions that can only be found by the best research minds working together. I am excited to be involved in helping to make that possible.”
Ms Duff is the administrator and first point of contact at the NERI office.
Dr Gamman is a chemist by training and has a varied mix of experience over the last ten years ranging across pure and applied research environments, engineering design and build services and hands on commercial experience in New Zealand's electricity sector.
"The next 10 years in the energy sector worldwide is likely to see more innovation and real world demonstrations than we've seen in the last 50. For New Zealand to harness this innovation we will need to bring together many historically disparate disciplines. Thinking about energy and its uses as a giant system of inter-related issues is a complex undertaking and I'm very excited with the approach NERI is taking in bringing together academia, industry and government."
Dr Gamman has a track record of success in collaborative technology developments. Joe recently won the prestigious 2008 UK Engineer Magazine "Business Support of Universities" Award.
Dr Gamman will also be based at NERI's Auckland Office and a regular visitor to the NERI partners.
