27 October 2022
Online
Our third Energy & Nature webinar looks to the Iberian Peninsula for examples of how innovative vegetation management can benefit people, nature, and the energy transition.
Introduction
As we strive to tackle the climate, biodiversity, and energy crises, the infrastructure we build and operate in Europe must go beyond fulfilling its primary purpose and explore how it can serve biodiversity and local communities, as well as our renewable ambitions.
Grid operators must manage vegetation beneath power lines to ensure system security. Taking an integrated, ecological approach to vegetation management (IVM) can have diverse benefits for people, nature, and the energy transition itself.
For example:
01
Native vegetation can provide valuable habitats for local biodiversity
02
Grid corridors can reconnect fragmented ecosystems at scale
03
Partnerships can provide new opportunities for rural actors
04
Less intensive intervention can reduce costs for grid operators in the long term
05
More ecological management and public engagement can boost acceptance of infrastructure
So, how does this look in practice? In our webinar on Thursday 27th October, 11:30 – 13:00 CEST, we shone the spotlight on the Iberian peninsula and learnt about some innovative approaches to IVM. Inputs were given by:
Xavier Munill
Professor of Ecology | Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Xavier will present results from Naturaleza en RED, a pilot project with Spanish TSO, Red Eléctrica de España, which shows how the grid can function as biodiversity reservoirs in forests and as a refuge for local fauna in open areas affected by human activities
Pedro Marques
Vegetation Management Coordinator | Portuguese TSO, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN)
Pedro will describe REN’s approach to IVM, using reforestation of native flora, grazing of indigenous horse species, and management of invasive species
Liam Innis
Senior Manager – Energy Ecosystems | RGI
Liam will present the project Pastoreo en RED (Grid Grazing), a runner up in our Good Practice Award 2021, whereby Red Eléctrica teamed up with local sheep farmer to use his herd to graze a grid corridor, with diverse positive effects.
Recording and video
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or LIFE Programme. Neither the EU nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.