Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling for Austria launched

The project partners Green Energy Lab and AEE INTEC at the joint kick-off of Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling © Allianz WärmeZukunft / Stephanie Weinhappel

5 March 2026 – The Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling is Austria’s new innovation laboratory for the sustainable transformation of the heating and cooling sector. It is jointly run by the Green Energy Lab research initiative and AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien (AEE INTEC). The Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling is an initiative of the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure and supported by the Province of Styria.

With their comprehensive and synergistic expertise in developing innovative solutions for a sustainable energy system and their long-standing position in the energy industry, Green Energy Lab and AEE INTEC form the strong foundation of the Heat Transition innovation ecosystem. As Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling, the innovation laboratory, which is scheduled to run for eight years, will focus on comprehensive activities in the transformation of the heating and cooling sector – in a targeted and rapid manner and in cooperation with a large network of partners.

There is plenty to do, because with fossil fuels currently still accounting for over 60 percent of the supply, the heating and cooling sector is a key lever for greater energy sovereignty – in other words, a secure supply of energy from Austria that is calculable and affordable in the long term.

Currently, a large part of the value created flows abroad and is therefore not available for developing structures within the country. Targeted innovations in the field of energy efficiency and the integration of regional renewables are needed to strengthen Austria as a business location, support technologies “Made in Austria”, combat energy poverty and push ahead with the reduction of CO₂ emissions. The innovation lab addresses the heating and cooling sector on many different levels. Whether in individual new or existing buildings, in neighbourhoods, communities and cities, or in industry and commerce, the focus is always on driving technological, systemic, economic and social innovation. Supported by numerous partnerships and the inclusive approach of Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling, many projects are being initiated, significantly increasing both the speed and efficiency of the transformation of the heating and cooling sector.

The Executive Board of the Green Energy Lab research initiative and the Management of AEE INTEC seal their partnership as part of the Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling © Allianz WärmeZukunft / Stephanie Weinhappel

“We are delighted that, as a research initiative, we are able to play a key role in shaping the future of heat supply in Austria,” says Andrea Edelmann, Chairwoman and spokesperson for the Green Energy Lab research initiative. “The transformation of our our heating system is a central factor in achieving a renewable energy future.”

Heat supply still accounts for more than half of final energy consumption today. A sustainable heat supply is therefore a key factor in the success of the entire energy transition. In addition to the transformation of the heating sector, the innovation lab will also address the issue of cooling. In view of rising temperatures, sustainable air conditioning of buildings and neighbourhoods is becoming increasingly important.

Christian Fink, CEO of AEE INTEC and Scientific Director of Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling, sees the initiative as a great opportunity with international appeal: “The long-term lab Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling supports the holistic transformation of the complex heating and cooling sector. With targeted innovations, concrete projects and a strong partner network, it is accelerating the phase-out of fossil fuel imports and strengthening the domestic economy.”

Andrea Edelmann, chairwoman and spokesperson for the Green Energy Lab research initiative, and Christian Fink, CEO of AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien (AEE INTEC) © Allianz WärmeZukunft / Stephanie Weinhappel

The “Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling” already brings together numerous players from science and research, partner initiatives and stakeholders from all over Austria under one roof. These include renowned universities and research institutions such as Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing, future.lab at TU Vienna, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences GmbH, Institute of Building Research & Innovation, e7, University of Innsbruck, Austrian Institute of Technology, Montanuniversität Leoben, B.A.U.M Consult, BauKarussell, Energieinstitut der JKU and Forschung Burgenland.

Thanks to its open and inclusive approach to innovation, this network is set to expand significantly over the coming years along the entire value chain – from energy suppliers and network operators to local authorities and housing developers to industry, commerce, technology providers and relevant authorities – thereby becoming a key pillar of the transformation of the heating and cooling sector.

Project management duo of Alliance for Green Heating and Cooling: (from right) Daniela Kain, Green Energy Lab research initiative (overall project management) and Carina Seidnitzer-Gallien, AEE INTEC © Allianz WärmeZukunft / Stephanie Weinhappel

About Green Energy Lab

The Green Energy Lab research initiative is an association and incubator for applied research and innovation in the field of renewable energy and heating solutions. Members are the energy supply companies Burgenland Energie, Energie AG Oberösterreich, Energie Steiermark, EVN and Wien Energie. The focus of the association’s activities is on the development, implementation and system integration of energy innovations bridging the gap between technology development and the market. For this purpose, Green Energy Lab has established an extensive network called “Innovator Circle,” including more than 350 companies and institutions from market-oriented research facilities, business and the public sector.

About AEE INTEC

AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien (AEE INTEC) was founded in 1988 and is today one of the leading European institutes of applied research in renewable energy and resource efficiency with over 90 employees. In the three target group areas “Buildings”, “Cities & Grids” and “Industrial Systems” as well as three technological working groups “Renewable Energies”, “Thermal Storage” and “Water and Process Technologies”, the R&D projects carried out range from basic research projects to the implementation of demonstration plants. AEE INTEC has been a member of Austrian Cooperative Research – ACR since 2015.