KKL – JNF held a special Stakeholder’s Workshop In Maale Gilboa under the title: Synergizing Nature and Technology: Enabling Factors & Bioeconomy Solutions
On 7 September 2023, SureNexus partner KKL-JNF organized a regional workshop within the framework of the project. Israel is one of the 4 SureNexus demonstration sites, the others in Spain, Greece & Morocco Each testing different aspects of the Nexus.
Two years ago the EU grant KKL – JNF a grant as part of the international consortium SureNexus, to conduct research with Ma’aleh Gilboa, MIGAL, and Doral Energy on Agrovoltaics, using solar panels with agriculture to create a nexus of electricity production, efficient water use and shade to protect the crops from excess radiation, to produce a better crop while generating electricity.
Head of International Relations at KKL – JNF Karin Bolton: “The workshop was very successful. We managed to bring together many different stakeholders, including government, municipalities, start-ups and researchers which facilitated a fascinating discussion on what are the issues in Israel that advance or hinder projects like the Agrivoltaic demo site. What is clear from the workshop is the Maale Gilboa Pilot, has opened the door for other Agrovoltaic projects around the country. We were the first to breakthrough regulatory barriers and now, we have paved the way for others. The information we received today will contribute to the results of the Suxnexus project.”
KKL-JNF chief scientist Dr. Doron Markel, said: “KKL-JNF manages Israel’s forests, and in recent years, we have also been active in addressing the climate crisis, including aspects of renewable energy and technological adaptation to extreme climates. The first agricultural agrovoltaic pilot in Israel, Surenexus, combining energy production with shade for crops, the non-lithium energy storage pilot in Eilat, and the ‘Sun for All’ project for solar systems in shared houses in the periphery, in collaboration with the Israeli Energy Forum, are all prominent examples of our evaluation and actions in this field. At KKL-JNF, we don’t just talk; we take action.”
