Earth Sciences NZ Secures $2.6M Marsden Fund to Drive Green Energy, Geothermal Innovation, and Volcano Research

Earth Sciences NZ wins $2.6M Marsden Fund to develop green ammonia, geothermal energy solutions, and volcanic monitoring for a sustainable NZ future.

By: Robert Buluma

New Zealand is set to make major strides in energy innovation, sustainability, and volcanic risk management after Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) secured $2.6 million in funding from the prestigious Marsden Fund. Four groundbreaking research projects will explore everything from green fuels to untapped geothermal energy and the hidden workings of

New Zealand’s volcanoes.

Cracking the Seismic Code Beneath Volcanoes
Volcanoes in New Zealand, from Ruapehu to Whakaari/White Island, pose persistent risks to communities and industries. Despite decades of monitoring, predicting eruptions remains challenging due to the complex signals of seismic activity, ground deformation, and gas emissions.

Dr. Pasan Herath is leading a pioneering project using distant earthquakes to map underground volcanic plumbing systems. By analyzing subtle changes in rock properties at four active volcanoes, the team can differentiate between shallow hydrothermal activity and deeper magma movements—each carrying very different eruption risks.

This project also incorporates Mātauranga Māori, with a Māori summer student joining the team to work with volcano-monitoring data and build local capacity in earth sciences. The ultimate goal: more accurate eruption forecasts, timely evacuations, and reduced environmental and economic losses.

Breaking the N₂ Barrier: A Green Ammonia Revolution

Ammonia is essential for global fertiliser production but conventional methods rely heavily on fossil fuels, contributing 1–2% of global CO₂ emissions. ESNZ researchers are attempting the direct electrochemical production of ammonia from air and water at room temperature.

Led by Dr. Prasanth Gupta, the team is testing ion-beam-engineered catalysts that could overcome the stubborn N₂ bond, paving the way for green ammonia—a carbon-free fuel that can also support sustainable fertiliser production. This innovation could benefit Māori agribusiness and large-scale farming, while providing a key resource for the global transition to clean energy.
Turning Geothermal Waste Heat into Extra Electricity

Much of New Zealand’s geothermal energy, particularly at temperatures below 150°C, is currently wasted. Dr. John Kennedy and the ESNZ team are developing thermomagnetic generators (TMGs) that can turn low-grade heat into electricity without moving parts.
By tailoring the atomic structure of magnetic materials, the team aims to overcome thermal hysteresis and unlock the potential of geothermal and industrial waste heat. Beyond power plants, TMGs could provide energy for off-grid farming, food processing, and remote sites, helping to reduce emissions and bolster renewable energy resilience.
Tracing Rare Gases to Unlock Deep Earth Secrets
Understanding subsurface gas movement is critical for exploring natural hydrogen, helium, and carbon storage. Dr. David Byrne leads an experimental project simulating deep-crust conditions to study how noble gases like helium, neon, and xenon move through rock and groundwater.
These gases act as tracers, providing insight into subsurface processes that are otherwise invisible. The research will improve models for geothermal reservoirs, natural hydrogen exploration, and safe underground storage, supporting New Zealand’s low-carbon energy future.

Why This Matters
These Marsden-funded projects are more than academic exercises—they are foundational research that can transform New Zealand’s energy landscape, enhance public safety, and protect the environment. By investing in curiosity-driven science today, New Zealand is preparing for a more sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon future.

Source : Earth's Science

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