The Steppe Forward Chair, a project promoted by the Autonomous University of Madrid, the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia and TotalEnergies, begins its fifth year of operational validity years and enters its most important phase.
This period will focus on the exhaustive examination of previously collected scientific data to analyze whether solar panel parks (photovoltaic plants) can coexist without harming the biodiversity of the steppes. These are flat, dry ecosystems that are home to very special and threatened birds. The main goal is to refine corrective methodologies and design new guidelines that facilitate harmonious coexistence between industry and the natural environment.
Why is this study important now?
The rapid growth of installed solar power capacity in Spain demands updated and empirically grounded conceptual frameworks. A rigorous study of birdlife provides objective criteria for land-use planning and the optimization of existing solar parks.
Specifically, scientists will prioritize monitoring affected birds using satellite geolocation and studying the so-called lake effect in nocturnal migratory species. Control efforts will also cover the Guillena complex, located in Seville, considered the largest concentration of solar generation of the corporation in the European continent.
Key phase in solar energy research and conservation
The academic consortium envisions the active dissemination of its findings through the publication of technical manuals focused on the management of agricultural land. Scientific dissemination will be complemented by the fifth edition of its sectoral debate sessions and the constant updating of its specialized bibliographic repository.
Furthermore, the provision of real-world production environments by the multi-energy company constitutes a transparent model of intersectoral cooperation. This scientific synergy aims to provide regulatory solutions applicable to the research community, regulatory bodies, and industrial developers.
Source: TotalEnergies