Research

The study as part of the ‘Digital Transformation in the BMLRT’ is intended to drive forward the future digitalisation, networking and automation of Austria-wide flood risk management. In the first phase, modern geodata and AI technologies were analysed and integrated into an overall model for area-wide monitoring. An AI-based prototype for flood forecasting was developed and successfully tested, improving accuracy compared to existing models. Applications for event analysis and documentation were also developed. Phase 2 aims to extend the AI modelling system to predict exceedance probabilities and hazard indices for entire watercourse sections. This will be implemented and tested using a selected catchment area such as the Mur. It is also being investigated which updated data sets are required for the continuous operation of the modelling system and how these can be provided. The ‘deliverables’ will be a description of the methods developed and an analysis of the necessary data updates and data streams in a report.

The project will attempt to answer the following questions from a scientific perspective: - How will meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and precipitation change under climate change conditions and how will their spatial and temporal patterns behave in Austria and at the other VERBUND sites in Europe? - How will the change in meteorological variables and their direct impact on hydrology (runoff, snow and glacier melt as well as extreme events such as floods and low water) change the conditions and potential for storage and run-of-river power in the future? What impact will changes in meteorological variables have on photovoltaics, wind energy and battery storage in Austria and other VERBUND AG sites? - How will climate change affect various meteorological, hydrological and geomorphological natural hazards (landslides, mudslides, avalanches, floods, tornadoes, droughts, etc.) on the site security of Austrian energy generation? - How will sediment deposits/bedload transport and water temperature change in the course of climate change? Will weir dimensions have to be adjusted? Is sufficient water availability guaranteed at the sites with hydrogen production?

The purpose of the research project is to improve flood risk management under conditions of climate change and changes in land surface characteristics and utilisation. In line with this objective, the following research questions arise as motives for carrying out the project: To what extent are the increased cases of damage due to groundwater ingress linked to the water levels of Lake Wörthersee? Which discharge and inflow processes are primarily controlling factors for the increased groundwater levels? And which measures are suitable for minimising the potential risk of damage?