Solar energies are anticipated to play a major role in replacing traditional carbon intensive power plants, contributing to reduce global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, renewable energy installations may directly and indirectly harm wildlife and disturb natural ecosystems, either during the extraction of the necessary resources for their production, during their installation/dismantlement and/or during their operational phase. Renewable energy installations may lead to significant changes and losses of natural habitats, often considered to be one of the most important drivers of biodiversity loss (1, 2, 3). At the European context, the European Green Deal, attaches particular importance to biodiversity, which is under increasing pressure. Thus, to achieve the EU’s energy and climate goals, the development of renewable energy sources must be compatible with the objectives of the EU’s biodiversity Strategy to 2030 (4, 5). Local renewable energy developers in EU must put in place strategic plans for the continuous monitoring of biodiversity during the life cycle of their projects and implement measures to mitigate impacts on the Natura 2000 network and protected species (Habitats and Birds Directives). As actual impact of renewable energy projects on biodiversity is not well understood, the development of new tools to monitor or protect biodiversity will help energy developers to comply with their respective regulatory frameworks at their local contexts, contributing to the transition to a more sustainable renewable energy sector.

Linked to SDGs:
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land

General information about the project

⦁ Institutions Involved:

⦁ VET providers: Leading the project and providing academic support.
⦁ Local Government: Partnering to provide real-world challenges and data.
⦁ Renewable energy developers: Offering insights and practical challenges related to biodiversity monitoring in their local projects.
⦁ Others: environmental NGOs, intergovernmental agencies and organisations; biodiversity specialists; financial institutions, research institutions.

⦁ Challenge Providers: Local Government, renewable energy developers, environmental advisors.

⦁ Number of Learners: At least 20 per VET team.

⦁ Learners: VET students from various disciplines including environmental and digital sciences.

⦁ Duration: 4-5 months.

Defined Task of the Project/Challenge

To develop and implement digital solutions for monitoring/protecting biodiversity in renewable energy plants through a collaborative project with local government, renewable energy developers and environmental advisors.

Objectives of the project

The actual impact of renewable energy projects on nature is not well understood and the extent to which they are addressed depends on both national and local regulatory contexts. To comply with SDGs goals, renewable energy sector should try to avoid its associated impact on biodiversity by implementing measures to monitor and protect wild fauna. The following objectives are foreseen for this scenario:

Conducting a comprehensive analysis on the impacts of renewable energy infrastructures on biodiversity.
Identifying local challenges and opportunities.
Developing innovative and practical solutions to improve monitoring of wild fauna species threatened by renewable energy infrastructures.
Collaborating with stakeholders to implement and evaluate the proposed solutions.
Raising awareness about impacts of renewable energy development on biodiversity among the local community.

Challenge description

Structure of the Challenging Case:

⦁ How biodiversity is protected in the local context by public and private entities?
⦁ What are the current challenges faced by the renewable energy sector in terms of protecting biodiversity?
⦁ How can technology be leveraged to improve the efficiency of current biodiversity monitoring/protection techniques?

Guiding Questions:

⦁ What are the key factors contributing to reduce biodiversity in renewable energy infrastructures?
⦁ How can alternative solutions contribute to improve biodiversity monitoring in renewable energy power plants?
⦁ What are the best practices from other renewable power plants that can be applied to the local project?

Connections between Challenge-Institution-Environment

Problems to be Solved:

Current threats on biodiversity imposed by renewable energy infrastructures.
Inefficiencies in current biodiversity monitoring systems.
Lack of awareness and engagement from the community regarding biodiversity protection.

Statement of Local Issues:

The municipalities and regional authorities face challenges in protecting biodiversity and improving the monitoring of most threatened species in the renewable energy sector. The involvement of the community and local institutions is crucial to address these issues effectively.

Strategies of problem solving

The following plan is necessary to effectively achieve the desire innovative solution to the problem addressed:

Local context Analysis: Renewable energy infrastructures occupy relatively large areas, but the impact on biodiversity will obviously depend on the type of land occupied. Learners must connect to their local renewable energy developers and identify their specific needs. They must study their local context, including: 1) description of the type of infrastructure addressed (wind, PV or CSP) and its known impacts on biodiversity, 2) analysis of the legal framework that regulates the development of renewable energy projects in their region in relation to environmental monitoring (with special focus on biodiversity goals) and 3) identification of current mitigation practices for protecting biodiversity in the selected area. Moreover, by analyzing the ecosystems associated to the local power plant, including main threatened species, students will establish a foundation for understanding the existing system in terms of biodiversity.
Stakeholder Engagement: Parallel to local context analysis, fostering strong connections with the community is paramount. Building partnerships with local government, renewable energy developers, environmental advisors and other stakeholders will create a collaborative environment for idea sharing and solution development. Moreover, incorporating challenge providers feedback into the solution development process ensures that the final outcomes are aligned with the community’s aspirations. Identifying the biodiversity indicators currently monitored by the challenge provider at local level (species/groups of fauna and/or flora) and assessing the protocols and tools that are currently put in place for protecting/monitoring biodiversity will serve as a starting point to design the solutions.
Innovative Solution Development: The heart of the project lies in innovation. Learners will engage in brainstorming sessions and design thinking exercises to generate a wealth of creative ideas. These concepts will be transformed into tangible solutions through prototyping and small-scale testing of their biodiversity monitoring/protection systems. A keen focus on technology will drive the exploration of smart solutions for biodiversity monitoring systems.
Technology Integration and Eco-Digitalisation: Digital solutions are at the core of modern sustainable biodiversity monitoring techniques. Students will delve into the development of innovative digital solutions and applications to address biodiversity monitoring challenges in renewable energy infrastructure. The solution should be a new tool to improve current systems/protocols for the monitoring of biodiversity or to protect biodiversity from the risks imposed by solar and/or wind power plants, but also by energy transmission infrastructures (power lines). This includes: 1) Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) for the monitoring of threatened species, 2) Look for more efficient materials for nest boxes, 3) Design a device that allows the recording and registration of bird songs, 4) Community-based monitoring: citizen science for biodiversity monitoring, among others.
Testing and Refining Through Action: Once promising solutions emerge, the project transitions from concept to reality through pilot projects. These small-scale implementations allow students to test the functionality, usability, and effectiveness of their ideas in a real-world setting. Gathering feedback from stakeholders, including local authorities, renewable energy developers, environmental advisors and partner organizations, is crucial during this phase. This feedback loop enables students to refine their solutions, addressing unforeseen issues and optimizing functionalities. By iteratively testing and refining through pilot projects, students can ensure the final solutions are practical, user-friendly, and have a significant impact on the biodiversity associated to renewable energy infrastructures.

By combining these strategic approaches, learners will not only develop innovative solutions but also cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders in biodiversity monitoring systems. Simultaneously, community engagement and education initiatives will be undertaken to raise awareness, promote behavior change, and build a supportive environment for biodiversity protection.

Phases of problem solving

Timeframes of Activities by months:

Month 1-2:
- Research and data collection.
- Training on the scenario by leaders of Scenario.
- Contact with challenge providers and local communities.
- Identification of local needs and detailed description of the local challenge.
Month 3:
- Development of solutions and prototypes.
- State-of-the-art on current solutions.
- Selection of the most suitable solution for the local needs.
- Develop the innovative idea to adapt the solution to the local challenge.
Month 4: Testing and refinement of solutions.
Month 5: Presentation and implementation of final solutions.

Outcomes

Immediate Outcomes:

Knowledge on environmental impacts of renewable energy projects and regulatory contexts at local/regional/international scales.
Knowledge on local biodiversity (vulnerable and threatened species).
Increased awareness and engagement from the community regarding biodiversity.

Long-Term Outcomes:

A more sustainable and efficient renewable energy system in the region.
Strengthened collaboration between local government, renewable energy developers, academic institutions and the community to address future challenges regarding protection of biodiversity.

Innovative Aspects:

Use of smart technology for biodiversity monitoring/protection
Community engagement and awareness campaigns for protecting biodiversity at local scale (citizen science).

Impact of the project

Owners of the Result:

Regional Government
Renewable energy developers
Environmental advisors
VET providers

Related Outcomes:

Better understanding on the impacts of renewable energy development on biodiversity.
Improved efficiency of biodiversity monitoring systems.
Enhanced collaboration between renewable energy developers, regional/local government and the community.
Increased awareness on biodiversity protection by the community.

Environmental Changes:

Reduced environmental impact of renewable energy infrastructures.
Increased biodiversity.

The digital solution will allow main stakeholders of the scenario to improve their current practices for monitoring and protecting most vulnerable species affected by solar/wind power plants (mainly birds and bats, but also other fauna or flora target groups). The local renewable energy providers/developers together with the local entities that are engaged in the Environmental Impact Assessment will be the main beneficiaries of the solution, but also researchers on biodiversity monitoring and potential solution providers.

Competences Gained Through the Project

This CBL project is designed to equip students with a valuable set of competencies that will benefit them in their academic and professional careers. Here’s a breakdown of the key competencies students can expect to develop:

Technical Skills:

Biodiversity monitoring: Students will develop new skills in current monitoring systems and improve their knowledge on biodiversity in their local context.
Digital Literacy: Students will gain proficiency in navigating the digital landscape and applying innovative tools.
Project Management: Participating in a collaborative project fosters project management skills such as planning, organization, task delegation, and meeting deadlines. Students will learn to manage their time effectively and collaborate productively within a team.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:

Creative Problem-Solving: Students will be challenged to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. Brainstorming techniques, design thinking methodologies, and user-centered approaches will be employed to encourage creative thinking and the generation of effective solutions.
Critical Evaluation: Throughout the project, students will be required to critically evaluate proposed solutions, consider their feasibility, and assess their potential impact on sustainability and the community.

Communication and Collaboration:

Effective Communication: Students will need to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including peers, stakeholders (local government, renewable energy developers), and the general public. They will hone their written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
Teamwork and Collaboration: The project emphasizes collaborative learning, requiring students to work effectively within a team. They will learn to share ideas, manage conflict, and contribute to achieving common goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: The success of the project hinges on productive relationships with stakeholders. Students will develop skills in stakeholder identification, communication, and collaboration, understanding the importance of involving various players in the solution development process.

This comprehensive set of competencies will empower students to become future leaders in biodiversity monitoring systems. They will be equipped to tackle complex problems, innovate solutions, collaborate effectively, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Open Educational Resources (OERs)

References

Bennun, L., van Bochove, J., Ng, C., Fletcher, C., Wilson, D., Phair, N., Carbone, G. (2021). Biodiversity impacts associated to onshore wind power projects. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and Cambridge, UK: The Biodiversity Consultancy.
Bennun, L., van Bochove, J., Ng, C., Fletcher, C., Wilson, D., Phair, N., Carbone, G. (2021). Biodiversity impacts associated to solar power projects. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and Cambridge, UK: The Biodiversity Consultancy.
Lammerant, L., Laureysens, I. and Driesen, K. (2020) Potential impacts of solar, geothermal and ocean energy on habitats and species protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives. Final report under EC Contract ENV.D.3/SER/2017/0002 Project: “Reviewing and mitigating the impacts of renewable energy developments on habitats and species protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives”, Arcadis Belgium, Institute for European Environmental Policy, BirdLife International, NIRAS, Stella Consulting, Ecosystems Ltd, Brussels
Commission Notice C (2020) 7730 final, Brussels 18.11.2020. Guidance document on wind energy developments and EU nature legislation. Arcadis Belgium nv/sa and NIRAS Ltd.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Guidance on energy transmission infrastructure and EU nature legislation, Publications Office of the European Union, 2018, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/827210

Scenario 6: Protecting Biodiversity in Renewable Energy Power Plants

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