12 May 2025

From Passion to Impact: Karan's Success with New Zealand's Practical Education

Education New Zealand

Karan Titus is on a mission to address the climate crisis with innovative geothermal technology in New Zealand. Born in India and raised in Indonesia, Karan's passion for renewable energy led him to New Zealand, where he completed the Master of Energy programme at the University of Auckland’s Geothermal Institute. This experience provided him with the opportunity to work alongside some of the best geothermal engineers in the world.

I worked with some of the best geothermal engineers in the world and it was an incredible experience

Advancing His Career with a PhD

Seeking to advance his career, Karan began his PhD at the University of Canterbury, focusing on technology that combines geothermal energy with bioenergy from forestry waste to reduce carbon emissions. This technology captures CO2 released from burning forestry waste and injects it underground in geothermal water, leveraging existing reinjection wells at geothermal plants.

Promising Early Results

Early results are promising, showing that a combined geothermal and bioenergy plant could remove a million tonnes of CO2 each year, equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road. This innovative approach not only boosts renewable electricity output but also helps clean up forestry waste and lock up CO2 emissions underground.

We think it’s a hugely promising step forward, particularly as the world’s economies continue major plans for decarbonisation. Aotearoa is a beautiful country with an abundance of natural resources. We have a real opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in the collective global decarbonisation effort

Recognition and Success

Karan's research has already earned him recognition, including the Best Student Paper award at the Carbon and Energy Professionals New Zealand conference. He attributes much of his success to the opportunities provided by New Zealand's education system.

The New Zealand Advantage

In New Zealand, there is a relatively informal work environment where senior staff are quite open to being approached and sharing their knowledge. But you raise the stakes when you’re working on a job. You’re delivering to people who have hired your expertise and you know you are having a real-world impact

Empowering International Students

Karan believes that studying in New Zealand was the best decision he ever made. The supportive geothermal community and access to vast expertise and networking opportunities have empowered him to succeed. Many international students who have studied in New Zealand have gone on to achieve great success, a testament to the high-quality education and practical experience offered.

Karan Titus at the University of Canterbury

Making a Difference

My dream is to make a contribution which will have an impact in our collective fight against climate change. In my heart, I need to know that, through the opportunities I had, I did my best to make a difference

Are you ready to start your journey to a successful future? Gain the practical skills and real-world experience to stand out anywhere in the world, by studying with New Zealand.

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