Professor Alona Armstrong
Professor in Energy & Environmental StudiesResearch Interests
I am currently a Natural Environment Research Council Industrial Innovation Fellow and a Senior Lecturer in Energy & Environmental Sciences. I am in the Plant, Soil and Land Systems research group within Lancaster Environment Centre and a core member of Energy Lancaster, leading the Energy & Environment Theme.
My research focuses on the implications of the low carbon energy transition on the local environment, including ecosystem function, properties and service provision. I use a range of desk, field, laboratory and modelling approaches to resolve understanding, taking a positive approach – we need to decarbonise energy supplies and there will be more land take for renewable energy infrastructure but how can we do this whilst maximising environmental co-benefits? Working collaboratively with stakeholders from across sectors is central to my work. I look to use the understanding developed to inform policy and practice, with the underpinning aim of promoting the delivery of environmental benefits, beyond that of low carbon energy, from the energy transition. Previous to my energy research, I focused on the response of peatland carbon cycling to land management perturbations.
For more information see my opinion paper on the effect of terrestrial renewables on the microclimate and carbon cycling here, a paper on the effects of wind farms on the microclimate here and another on the effect of solar parks on grasslands here.
Given the real world applicability of my research and passion to ensure environment features strongly in the energy transition, I communicate my findings to industry, policy and the wider public. I’ve written a piece on the concept behind some of her research for The Guardian Sustainable Business section, which can be found here, my research was featured on the BBC news website, here, and included in the European Commission Science for Environment Policy newsletter, here. I’ve also written a piece for The Conversation, here, on an article about the potential impacts of large-scale wind and solar in the Sahara. A short animation of the Solar Park Impacts on Ecosystem Services project can be found here, and one on floating solar here.
Research Grants
Projects are funded by UK research councils and industry, with full details available of current and past projects available here. Current projects include:
McArthur, S. et al. 2019, Energy Revolution Research Consortium - Core – EnergyREV. EPSRC – ISCF Prospering from Energy Revolution. EP/S031863/1.
This large consortium project takes a whole systems approach to local low carbon energy systems.
Armstrong, A. 2018-2021, Strategically-integrated renewable energy, socio-economic & environment systems (SIRE). NERC Industrial Innovation Fellowship. NE/R013489/1.
This fellowship focuses on establishing the effects of land use change for energy on the local environment and how this can be used to inform strategic energy decisions.
Armstrong, A. & White, P. 2018-2019, Solar park impacts on ecosystem services: implementation. NERC Innovation Follow-on Project. NE/R009449/1.
This project has developed a decision support tool to promote solar park management for ecosystem services and natural capital. More details can be found on the project website here.
Current Teaching
I teach two undergraduate modules:
LEC282 Energy, Economy & Environment
LEC382 Energy: Controversies & Decision-Making (laid down during my fellowship)
IAA: The Power For Nature research, innovation and training hub
01/10/2023 → 31/03/2025
Research
IAA: The Power For Nature research, innovation and training hub
01/10/2023 → 31/03/2025
Research
KTP with Thames Water Utilities Ltd
01/09/2023 → 30/09/2025
Research
KTP with Thames Water Utilities Ltd
01/09/2023 → 30/09/2025
Research
Comparing carbon budgets for different land use options (C10)
01/03/2023 → 31/03/2025
Research
Nature-positive investment opportunities through solar parks
03/01/2023 → 02/01/2024
Research
AKT with Solar Energy UK
01/12/2022 → 31/03/2023
Research
Ecosystem service impacts of Greek solar parks
18/10/2022 → 17/10/2024
Research
DSI: Trustworthy and Accountable Decision-Making Frameworks for Biodiversity - A Virtual Labs based Approach
12/08/2022 → 11/08/2025
Research
KTP with Clarkson & Woods Ltd
01/12/2021 → 31/05/2023
Research
KTP with Clarkson and Woods Ltd
01/12/2021 → 31/05/2023
Research
IAA: Scoping out the potential for a solar park ecological impacts virtual lab
01/08/2021 → 30/06/2022
Research
Quantifying the pollination service benefits of managing solar parks for wild pollinators
01/06/2021 → 31/12/2022
Research
Quantifying the pollination service benefits of managing solar parks for wild pollinators
01/06/2021 → 31/05/2022
Research
CASE: Envision: Low Carbon Ltd - Hollie Blaydes
01/10/2019 → 31/12/2023
Research
UK Energy Research Centre Phase 4 Call
01/05/2019 → 30/04/2024
Research
IAA: Water Quality Impacts Floating Solar - EPSRC Code
15/04/2019 → 31/03/2020
Research
ERRC EnergyREV
01/12/2018 → 01/03/2022
Research
UK - Solar parks impacts on ecosystem services: implementation
01/01/2018 → 31/12/2019
Research
Solar Park Impacts on Ecosystem services : a Framework for Best Practice (SPIES)
01/01/2016 → 30/06/2017
Research
Dual Land-Use for Solar Energy and Food Production
01/10/2013 → 30/09/2016
Research
LPIA: Developing collaborations to facilitate the optimal deployment of terrestrial solar farms
01/07/2013 → 30/06/2014
Research
ECSG: The effect of direct and diffusion radiation on carbon cycling and plant productivity
01/05/2012 → 30/09/2014
Research
Establishing the impact of vegetation on DOC concentrations in the context of peatland management and the mechanisms responsible
20/03/2010 → 18/04/2010
Research
GCRF Global IAA Institutional Award
01/01/1900 → …
Research
- Energy Lancaster
- Pentland Centre
- Soil Plant and Land Systems