I am a Professor of Energy & Environmental Sciences within Lancaster Environment Centre and Director of Energy Lancaster, a university-wide group of energy researchers.
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.
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.
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.
