An Interdisciplinary Framework for Monitoring and Public Engagement at the Big Solar Furnace of Parkent
Abstract
The Big Solar Furnace (BSF) in Parkent, Uzbekistan, stands as a landmark achievement in renewable energy research and a symbol of sustainable development. However, monitoring its complex thermal processes relies on traditional interfaces, which can be cognitively demanding for operators and fail to foster public engagement with the underlying science. This paper presents a novel interdisciplinary framework that addresses both challenges through adaptive sonification. We propose using the AudioGraffiti platform to transform real-time operational data-including temperature and irradiance-into an immersive, spatially-aware soundscape. This system delivers dual value: firstly, it serves as a functional monitoring tool, creating a cybernetic feedback loop where operators can utilize auditory display for anomaly detection and pattern recognition. Secondly, it functions as a public art installation, translating the furnace's activity into an accessible and engaging auditory experience for science communication. Our methodology details the acquisition of sensor data, the design of semantically meaningful data-to-sound mappings using Csound, and its integration into the web-based, geographically-tagged AudioGraffiti engine. This project demonstrates a smart and sustainable technological paradigm that bridges engineering, computer music, and human-computer interaction, offering a new model for interpreting and interacting with complex industrial systems.