The official presentation of the NexusLabs project concluded on May 14, bringing together more than 40 researchers from Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, and Morocco. This initiative, which seeks to offer innovative and real-world solutions to the challenges of efficient water management in irrigation and its relationship with energy, food, and ecosystems, focuses on meeting the needs of all users involved, from small farmers to large entities such as the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation and the National Irrigation  Association.

At the closing of the event, it was emphasized that NexusLabs is not only a proposal for the implementation of dynamic models, but rather represents a comprehensive approach that incorporates the human dimension into decision-making, land-use change, and interaction with strategic sectors such as renewable energy. This was emphasized by José González Piqueras, professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) and director of the Department of Physics.

The project, which combines technology, experience in satellite data management applied to agriculture and water resource management, and models that link factors such as human behavior, decision-making, land-use expansion, and renewable energy, allows for the "combination and formulation of sustainable management scenarios." It will be implemented and demonstrated in "living laboratories," or Living Labs, where cultivation, irrigation, and efficient water management practices will be implemented under real-life conditions. 

Furthermore, the project has a strong educational and social dimension aimed at driving systemic change and promoting long-term sustainability throughout the Mediterranean region. This was stated by Anna Osan, a researcher at the Institute for Regional Development (IDR), who explained that Living Labs are not only spaces for technical testing, but also incorporate the active participation of farmers, technicians, companies, administrations, and policymakers: "We develop participatory workshops and meetings that translate the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus into practical solutions adapted to local realities."

In Spain, the NexusLabs Living Lab is located in the Júcar basin, where significant progress has already been made in the application of remote sensing technologies and satellite data analysis for water management. With a three-year horizon, NexusLabs aims to consolidate an international cooperation network that strengthens sustainability in a context of climate change.

Communication Office – TySIG Albacete, May 14, 2025