Geothermal Institute

Will you be attending IIGCE? Join us for an informal Geothermal Institute alumni gathering over drinks and nibbles on Thursday, 20 August.

This event is a chance to reconnect with former classmates and colleagues, catch-up with familiar faces, and meet other alumni working in the geothermal community in Indonesia.

When: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 7-9pm (Jakarta time)
Location: Bima Room at Artotel Gelora Senayan Jakarta

If you’re interested in joining us at the event, please register your interest below. We’d love to see you there!

https://www.geothermal.auckland.ac.nz/iigce-2026-alumni-gathering-rsvp-form/

We’re heading back to Indonesia in a few weeks time!

Our team will be at the IIGCE from 19-21 August at the Jakarta International Convention Centre (JICC).

If you’re attending, we’d love to connect. Come say hello at the New Zealand booth, catch-up with the team, and hear a little about what we’ve been working on.

We’ll also be co-hosting a workshop during the conference and bringing our alumni community together for a gathering while we’re in Jakarta – more details on both to come.

If you’re going to be at the IIGCE, let us know. We’d love to see you there!

––––

Kami akan kembali ke Jakarta!

Tim Geothermal Institute akan hadir di IIGCE pada 19–21 Agustus di Jakarta International Convention Centre (JICC).

Jika Anda juga akan hadir, kami akan senang sekali bisa bertemu dan kembali terhubung. Mampirlah ke stan Selandia Baru untuk menyapa dan berbincang dengan tim kami, sekaligus mendengar sedikit tentang apa yang sedang kami kerjakan.

Selama IIGCE, kami juga akan menjadi co-host untuk sebuah workshop dan mengadakan acara kumpul bersama komunitas alumni kami di Jakarta — informasi lebih lanjut tentang keduanya akan segera kami bagikan.

Jika Anda akan hadir di IIGCE, kabari kami. Kami berharap bisa bertemu Anda di sana!

The Renewable Energy Project Management (REPM) programme concluded with an inspiring day of project presentations and graduation.

The participants did an outstanding job presenting the projects they had worked on throughout the programme. Six groups showcased renewable energy case studies covering geothermal, wind, hydropower, bioenergy, village solar, and grid-scale solar projects across Southeast Asian countries. It was great to see the depth of analysis, teamwork, and practical solutions demonstrated in each presentation.

The graduation ceremony was equally memorable, with Robert Fa’ata, Senior Development Adviser from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), joining representatives from UniServices and the programme lecturers to celebrate the participants’ achievements. One of the highlights was the participants performing the Māori song Te Aroha, reflecting not only the technical knowledge they gained during the programme but also their opportunity to engage with and appreciate New Zealand’s culture. It was a meaningful way to conclude a programme that combined professional development with cultural learning.

Congratulations to all the participants on successfully completing the programme. Wishing you every success as you apply your knowledge to advance renewable energy development in your countries and throughout Southeast Asia.

We are grateful for the continued investment and support of MFAT, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, and the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme, whose commitment to developing capability makes programmes like this possible.

Learning beyond the classroom.

A highlight of this year’s Renewable Energy Project management (REPM) course was a four-day field trip around Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Taupō, giving participants the opportunity to experience Aotearoa New Zealand’s renewable energy sector first-hand.

Specially designed for professionals from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, the five-week course combines project management with a broad understanding of renewable energy technologies. The field trip brought this learning to life, allowing participants to see how different renewable energy projects are planned, developed and operated in practice. Participants visited geothermal, bioenergy, wind, hydro and solar facilities, and met with industry professionals.

A sincere thank you to our partners including Mercury, Polynesian Spa Rotorua, Tenon Clearwood, Enviro NZ, and Lightforce Solar, for welcoming us to their sites and generously sharing their expertise.

This programme is made possible through the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, and Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme. We are grateful for their continued investment in developing the next generation of renewable energy leaders.

Pendaftaran Beasiswa LPDP kini dibuka hingga 31 Juli 2026, memberikan kesempatan bagi mahasiswa Indonesia untuk melanjutkan studi pascasarjana di universitas-universitas terkemuka di dunia.

Di Geothermal Institute, University of Auckland, program kami memadukan riset kelas dunia, kolaborasi dengan industri, dan pembelajaran praktis untuk membekali mahasiswa dengan pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang dibutuhkan untuk berkarier di bidang energi panas bumi.

Pilihan program studi meliputi:

✅ Master of Energy
✅ Postgraduate Certificate in Geothermal Energy Technology
✅ PhD di bidang Teknik atau Sains

Pelajari lebih lanjut tentang program pascasarjana dan peluang pelatihan kami di halaman Pendidikan: https://www.geothermal.auckland.ac.nz/education/

Beasiswa LPDP mencakup biaya kuliah, biaya hidup, biaya perjalanan, serta biaya studi lainnya, guna mendukung lahirnya generasi profesional berikutnya di sektor energi Indonesia.

🌍 Tersedia bagi Warga Negara Indonesia yang memenuhi persyaratan.
🔗 Pelajari lebih lanjut dan daftar: https://lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/en/

The World Geothermal Congress 2026 highlighted the scale of innovation, collaboration, and momentum driving geothermal development around the world.

We were proud to contribute across a range of technical sessions, workshops and important industry discussions.

Associate Professor Sadiq Zarrouk provided a comprehensive update on New Zealand's geothermal sector, highlighting key developments and progress from 2023 to 2026.

Associate Professor John O'Sullivan shared insights into the future of geothermal resource assessment through the application of Waiwera, demonstrating innovative approaches to advancing understanding and management of geothermal reservoirs.

Together with the International Geothermal Association (IGA), we were pleased to introduce GeoCert – an industry-led initiative aimed at establishing an independent global framework for geothermal workforce competence.

Our team also took part in the Superhot Geothermal Summit and the High Enthalpy Geothermal Researchers Group, hosted by the Clean Air Task Force, contributing to discussions on emerging technologies, technical challenges, future research priorities for the advancement of superhot geothermal resources, and opportunities for international collaboration.

Beyond the technical sessions, it was wonderful to reconnect with friends and colleagues from around the world, strengthen existing partnerships, and build new connections. Events such as the New Zealand Reception Dinner, WING Battle of the Bands, and Calgary Western Night highlighted the strong sense of community that exists across the global geothermal sector.

Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge, perspectives and enthusiasm throughout the week. We look forward to continuing to work together to advance geothermal energy and support a more sustainable energy future.

Ngā mihi

If you're attending WGC 2026, there's still time to catch one of our presentations.

Our team is enjoying connecting with the global geothermal community in Calgary and sharing the latest work from the University of Auckland Geothermal Institute.

Come along and join us at the following sessions:

John O'Sullivan – Panel: The Future of Geothermal Resource Assessment and Management
📅 Wednesday 10 June | 2:00pm–3:30pm | Macleod E4

Sadiq J. Zarrouk – New Zealand Country Update (2023–2026)
📅 Monday, 8 June | 4:15 PM – 6:00 PM | Telus Room 104

Ryan Tonkin – An Update on International Capacity Building at The University of Auckland's Geothermal Institute
📅 Tuesday, 9 June | 8:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Telus Room 101–102

Eylem Kaya – No Gas Left Behind: Reactive Transport Modelling of CO₂ Reinjection in the Mt Apo Geothermal Field, Philippines
📅 Wednesday, 10 June | 11:25 AM – 11:45 AM | Telus Room 105–106

Yeftamikha Siahaan – Numerical Modelling of Geochemical Processes During CO₂-Rich Condensate Injection into Andesite
📅 Thursday, 11 June | 8:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Glen Room 203–204

Aulia Rizky Pratama – Cost Optimization Strategies for Geothermal Power Construction in Indonesia: Insights and Lesson Learned from the U.S. and Turkey
📅 Tuesday, 9 June | 8:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Glen Room 208

Gloria Gladis Sondakh – Regionalised LCA of Geothermal Power: Dataset Gaps and Development Needs in Indonesia and New Zealand
📅 Tuesday, 9 June | 4:15 PM – 6:00 PM | Telus Room 101 + 102

Joris Popineau – An uncertainty quantification modelling approach for assessing the resource and planning the development of low enthalpy geothermal fields
📅 Monday, 8 June | 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Glen Room 208

Théo Renaud – Modelling Results from the Lithium Valley Project in the Salton Sea geothermal field
📅 Tuesday, 9 June |12.30 PM –1.00 PM | Screen 12

Théo Renaud – Coupled Integrated Multiphysics approach to quantify Volcanics and Geothermal processes
📅 Tuesday, 9 June | 2:00 PM –3:45 PM | Glen Room 201-202

Théo Renaud – Numerical Quantification of the Geothermal Energy potential of Mount Meager volcanic complex, Garibaldi volcanic region, British Columbia, Canada
📅 Tuesday, 9 June | 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Glen Room 201-202

We're looking forward to attending the World Geothermal Congress 2026 in Calgary next week!

Co-Directors John O'Sullivan and Sadiq J. Zarrouk will be joined by Eylem Kaya, Ryan Tonkin and a fantastic group of students as we connect with colleagues from across the global geothermal community.

If you're attending, be sure to join us at the WGC Lunch & Learn on Tuesday from 12:30–2:00 pm in Macleod E2, where we’ll be introducing Geothermal Workforce Assessment (GeoCert)!

GeoCert is an industry-led, independent global framework for geothermal workforce competence, currently being developed in partnership with the International Geothermal Association and the University of Auckland Geothermal Institute, with support from the team at UniServices. The session will provide an opportunity to learn more about this important initiative and its role in supporting a skilled and globally recognised geothermal workforce.

Find out more at 👉 https://geocert.net/

See you there!

How do you model fluids under some of the most extreme conditions found in geothermal systems?

Supercritical reservoirs sit at the frontier of geothermal science and engineering. Near and beyond the critical point of water, fluids behave in ways that challenge conventional reservoir simulation, with sharp property changes, strong thermo-hydraulic coupling, and complex flow behaviour.

As part of the MBIE Deep Heat programme, this fully funded PhD will explore new approaches to modelling these systems using the Waiwera geothermal simulator. The research contributes to improving how deep, high-temperature geothermal resources are evaluated, helping reduce uncertainty in future geothermal development.

We’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates with strengths in numerical modelling, scientific computing, computational physics, geothermal engineering, or related fields.

If you’re up for the challenge or know someone working in these areas, we’d appreciate you sharing this opportunity within your networks.

📅 Applications have been extended to: 22 June 2026

📩 Contact Associate Professor John O’Sullivan ([email protected]) with the subject line: “Supercritical Geothermal Reservoir Modelling” for enquiries and application details.