The Royal Botanic Gardens of the Spanish National Research Council (RJB-CSIC) and Redeia, Red Eléctrica’s parent company, have inaugurated the exhibition ‘Connected to the future: the energy transition.’ This travelling exhibition invites visitors to deepen their understanding of the energy transition through an interactive experience. It also emphasises the active role of consumers, the true protagonists of the future energy model.

The exhibition, which opened on 4 December, will remain on display at the Villanueva pavilion of the Royal Botanic Gardens until 2 March. It arrived in Madrid after stops at the Science Museum in Valladolid, the Science Park in Granada, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Museum of Science and the Cosmos in Tenerife, where it has already attracted nearly 200,000 visitors.

During the opening ceremony, María-Paz Martín, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens-CSIC, highlighted that the exhibition was organised in collaboration with Redeia. She also stated that it is highly suitable for being displayed and visited at the Royal Botanic Gardens due to its alignment with its principles and goals. 

‘The Royal Botanic Gardens are committed to conserving and protecting every aspect of our biodiversity. For years, we have worked to combat climate change and have actively participated in events such as the international “Earth Hour.” Additionally, we prioritise education, communication, and scientific outreach. This means that this exhibition fulfils that purpose because it is designed for all audiences—it’s educational and interactive,’ she declared. 

In turn, Miryam Aguilar, Redeia’s Corporate Director of External Relations, Communication, and Territory, explained that the exhibition aims to inspire visitors to recognise their active role as citizens and participants in the new electricity system.

‘The Royal Botanic Gardens-CSIC have been promoting science by conducting research, expanding the boundaries of knowledge, and making it available to the public for 269 years. At Redeia, we share its commitment to contributing to society and helping to enhance public knowledge. In particular, regarding the energy transition and the development of a renewable, sustainable, and inclusive energy system,’ she remarked. 

Pura Fernández, deputy vicepresident of Scientific Culture and Citizen Science from CSIC, added, ‘Forecasts for preserving our natural environment are far from promising. Science has confirmed that if we do not act urgently, our planet is heading toward climate disaster. Among other measures, it is imperative to change our energy model.’

She also emphasised, ‘To achieve this goal, informing, educating, and training citizens must be priority objectives. Actions like this exhibition—interactive, immersive, and designed for all audiences—are essential if we wish to reverse and redirect the current situation. And what better setting for this initiative than this natural space of the CSIC, the Royal Botanic Gardens, in partnership with Redeia’s expertise.

What to expect in the exhibition

The immersive exhibition comprises five modules, introducing energy and telecommunications sectors. The space integrates both analogue and digital approaches, where visitors take on the role of the main player through various challenges in the form of games, experiments, and even an escape room. Through this format, attendees will uncover key insights into the two major transformations the country is undergoing: the ecological transition and the advancement of digitalisation.

An avatar as a guide

‘Doctora Volta’ is the avatar that serves as a guide throughout the exhibition via augmented reality, while a ‘Time Capsule’ allows communication with the future.

Visitors can interact with Doctora Volta via a QR code placed at 15 strategic points within the exhibit. The avatar narrates the tour with touches of humour, making the experience engaging and enjoyable. 

The time capsule enables attendees to receive an email from Doctora Volta in the future, creating a long-term connection between the visitor and the travelling exhibition.

An immersive experience for all ages

The new exhibition caters to the general public, families, and students with three primary objectives: raising awareness of the effects of the climate emergency, explaining the challenges of the energy transition and the sustainability commitments of the 2030 agenda, and conveying the active role consumers will play in the future. It also highlights the importance of connectivity in daily life and Redeia’s commitment to providing this essential service through fibre optics and satellites, helping to bridge the digital divide.

The exhibition places the viewer at the center of the story. Visitors will receive a QR code upon arrival, serving as a key to unlocking content throughout the exhibit, which they can explore individually or in groups across five sectors.

The first stop is dedicated to electricity and connectivity. This section introduces visitors to energy and telecommunications through a series of fun games and experiments, offering insights into the properties of energy and data and image transmission via telecommunications. 

The central space is reserved for the second stop. It features a large-scale model where projections explain the operation of the electricity system, i.e., the ‘light’s journey.’ Visitors can also enjoy a virtual tour of the Electricity Control Centre (Cecoel), the nerve centre of the electricity system operated by Red Eléctrica to ensure a secure and high-quality power supply at all times. 

Understanding the energy transition is essential for active participation. Therefore, this section explores its challenges and commitments, detailing key aspects such as renewable energy integration and digital transformation.

The final two sections focus on explaining the connection between the energy transition and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering awareness among citizens about the vital role they play in shaping the new electricity system. 

Throughout the exhibition, visitors can either engage with Doctora Volta and participate in an online escape room, which offers an adventurous experience full of riddles related to the content of each module.

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