Research as an enabler of the energy transition

From right: Michael Strugl, President, and Barbara Schmidt, Secretary General of Oesterreichs Energie with Andrea Edelmann, Chairwoman and Spokeswoman of the Board, and Ludwig Fliesser, Communications Manager of Green Energy Lab.
Note: Download the images in printable resolution by right-clicking. Editorial use free of charge. © Oesterreichs Energie / Christian Fürthner

Vienna, 26.09.2024 – “Let´s do it!“ – this was the motto of Oesterreichs Energie Kongress 2024 in Villach. There is no alternative to transforming the energy system in order to achieve the climate targets and reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports, thereby ensuring the resilience of the energy supply. At the same time, it is also an economic opportunity: “There is a high level of technical expertise in the energy sector in Europe – this gives us very good market opportunities. If we do it right,“ says Michael Strugl, President of Oesterreichs Energie.

What is needed for a secure and renewable energy future?

In a climate-neutral Austria, the demand for electricity would double by 2040. On behalf of Oesterreichs Energie, a modelling study was carried out to investigate whether the electricity demand in Austria can also be reliably covered in a climate-neutral electricity system by 2040. The result: yes, this is basically feasible. In addition to a further expansion of renewable energy sources such as PV and increasingly wind power, this requires security of supply through strong grids, storage and flexibility. “We don’t just need more power, we need controllable power,“ said Strugl.

Research as an enabler for a green energy future

Innovation, research and development are essential for transforming the energy system. This is why the Green Energy Lab was also on board as an exhibitor at Oesterreichs Energie Kongress. More than 50 projects in the portfolio of this research initiative deal with the research and development of solutions for a renewable energy future, grid flexibility options, AI-controlled adaptation of producer and user behaviour, sector coupling, sustainable building refurbishment and the use of waste heat potential for district heating. “We are convinced that applied research lays the foundation for the innovations we need to successfully transform the energy system. This is why the exchange and transfer of knowledge between research and practitioners in the energy sector is essential so that developed solutions can be implemented and scaled up quickly. This is the only way they can then have a corresponding impact,“ says Andrea Edelmann, Chairwoman and Spokeswoman of the Board of Green Energy Lab.

With the core regions of Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland and Styria, the Green Energy Lab has a test market with five million end consumers, making it Austria’s largest innovation laboratory for a sustainable energy future. The Green Energy Lab is also part of the Austrian innovation offensive “Vorzeigeregion Energie“ of the Climate and Energy Fund. By 2025, over 150 million euros will be invested in innovative projects as part of the Green Energy Lab. The founding members of the research initiative are Burgenland Energie, Energie Steiermark, EVN and Wien Energie.

More than 50 research projects in the Green Energy Lab portfolio are developing innovative solutions for a sustainable energy future throughout Austria. Green Energy Lab’s core regions are Burgenland, Lower Austria, Styria and Vienna. © Green Energy Lab

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