Doctoral Candidate
Gladis Sondakh
Department of Engineering Science & Biomedical Engineering
gson090@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Gladis is passionate about geothermal energy and sustainability, with a research focus on applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to support more sustainable development of geothermal resources, both for direct and indirect uses.
About
Gladis has a background in geological engineering and began her career at a state-owned geothermal company in Indonesia, where she spent nearly seven years working in business development, risk management, and social sustainability. She later gained international experience at a geothermal startup based in Iceland, where she conducted research on the global geothermal market.
Midway through her career, Gladis was awarded a place in the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) in Iceland, a six-month program that inspired her to pursue advanced research in geothermal sustainability.
This opportunity led her to complete a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Science at Reykjavík University, supported by a GRO-GTP (formerly UNU-GTP) scholarship from the Government of Iceland. During her studies, she began developing her research focus on Life Cycle Assessment for geothermal energy.
In 2025, Gladis commenced her PhD at the University of Auckland with the support of a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship. Her doctoral research builds on her previous experience, advancing the application of Life Cycle Assessment to geothermal energy.
Professional Experience
Gladis’s research focuses on advancing the application of Life Cycle Assessment for geothermal energy, covering both electricity generation and emerging direct-use applications. Her work examines the environmental impacts of geothermal power plants as well as innovative practices such as cascade utilization, co-production, and CO₂ reinjection.
The aim of her doctoral research is not only to provide a detailed assessment of these systems but also to contribute to the development of comprehensive and standardized guidelines for applying Life Cycle Assessment within the geothermal industry. By strengthening methodologies and addressing existing knowledge gaps, Gladis seeks to support more consistent evaluation of geothermal projects worldwide.
Address
L4, 70 Symonds St, Grafton, Auckland
New Zealand