Senior Lecturer
Dr Michael Gravatt
Department of Engineering Science & Biomedical Engineering
michael.gravatt@auckland.ac.nz
Michael is passionate about geothermal knowledge transfer and engineering education. After a very theoretical PhD, he is driven to create geothermal models that not only support the industry but are used day-to-day by industry for decision-making.
About
Michael is a Senior Lecturer in the Geothermal Institute and Department of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Auckland. Michael splits his time between education of undergraduate engineers, teaching the first year cohort mathematics, and geothermal technology development. After a PhD in applied mathematics looking at the mechanics of how microorganisms move in fluid he was keen to apply his trade in a more practical way.
Since 2019, Michael has worked closely with John and Mike O’Sullivan to standardise how we handle geothermal models and technology to make them accessible to clients and students. From here, we have expanded to probabilistic estimates from reservoir models through uncertainty quantification and developed a new method for greenfield resource assessment. He has also had the privilege of teaching geothermal courses across the world.
Professional Experience
2022 - Present
Lecturer
University of Auckland, New Zealand
2019 - 2022
Research Fellow
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Qualifications
2015 - 2019
PhD, Engineering Science
University of Auckland, New Zealand
2011 - 2015
BE, Engineering Science (First Class Honours)
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Research Areas
Geothermal resource assessment – electricity generation and direct heat use
Extraction of critical minerals from geothermal systems including lithium
CO2 sequestration in geothermal systems
Supercritical geothermal resources and their economic utilization
Digital twins - geothermal modelling and forecasting
Geothermal data analytics
Recent Collaborations
Address
L4, 70 Symonds St, Grafton, Auckland
New Zealand