The Technological and Renewable Energies Institute (ITER) has successfully completed the inaugural flight of the Paulia project. This initiative aims to identify plant species of significance in the Canary Islands to mitigate heat effects.
The project collaborates with the Municipal Services Company of Granadilla de Abona (Sermugran) and the State Agency Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) through two research institutions: the Eduardo Torroja Construction Institute (IETCCC-CSIC) and the Royal Botanical Garden (RJB-CSIC).
Paulia is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation via the State Investigation Agency and the European Union through the NextGeneration funds, with a budget of €754,801.38.
The initial flight took place in San Isidro (Granadilla), one of ten urban areas selected for the project, which spans the entire national territory. Drone flights aimed at capturing low-altitude thermal images at specific locations within the urban centre of San Isidro. These captures enabled the analysis of temperature variations across surfaces and specific regions, providing precise data for technical assessments. The images obtained underwent processing and analysis to identify thermal patterns, detect potential anomalies, and aid in the formulation of data-driven strategies within the project.
The Minister for Innovation, Research and Development, Juan José Martínez, explains that “the Paulia project encompasses an integrated tool to evaluate and enhance the climate in small urban areas at risk by pinpointing hot spots and applying solutions based on soil composition and vegetation. At ITER, we engage in such collaborations with enterprises and research entities to foster the development of new technologies and services, which in turn stimulates employment and diversifies the island’s economy.”
The drone utilised for this inaugural flight was the DJI Matrice 350 RTK, which operated at a maximum altitude of 40 metres above ground level. All flights will be conducted with the necessary permissions from ENAIRE, and appropriate measures will be implemented to ensure safety at all times. Security protocols are maintained throughout the flights.
