Professors Armstrong and White have been collaborating on renewable energy and environment research since 2015. Given the increasing focus on Net Zero and the potential to embed benefits for nature, they set up Power for Nature in 2024 to act as a conduit for those in industry, policy, and the third sector.
Alona Armstrong is Professor in Energy & Environmental Studies at Lancaster University. Using a range of desk, field, laboratory and modelling approaches, her research focuses on the implications of the low-carbon energy transition on the local environment, including ecosystem function, properties and service provision. She has an extensive track record of collaborating with industry and policy partners, informing policy and practice.
Piran White is Professor of Ecosystem Management at the University of York. His research focuses on the interactions between people and ecosystems. He has specific expertise in the links between human and animal health, nature and wellbeing, and the development of nature-positive approaches to societal challenges such as the energy transition. He works closely with decision-makers, industry and practitioners in much of his research.
The broader team consists of a wide network of academics across Lancaster, York and other institutions with expertise in ecology, finance, geospatial science, water, soil, and agriculture, with research and innovation activities driven by a team of dedicated researchers including:
Hollie’s research aims to understand better the impacts of ground-mounted solar farms on biodiversity using a combination of field- and modelling-based approaches.
Fabio’s research focuses on the impact of land use change for solar farm development on stocks of natural capital (e.g., soil, biodiversity) and ecosystem services (e.g. soil carbon storage).
Lucy's research focuses on the impacts of ground-mounted solar parks on ecosystem services, specifically plants, soils and livestock forage quality.
Sofia is investigating the effects of floating solar panels on the water column of freshwater reservoirs, such as changes in the water temperature and nutrient concentration
Laura is an ecologist with experience working with diverse organisations to develop indicators and metrics of biodiversity and ecosystem services to monitor nature-positive investments.
Ellie's area of interest is biogeochemical cycling in lake ecosystems under floating solar arrays, where she studies the impact on physical, biological and chemical dynamics in freshwater systems.
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