Research

In order for Austria to achieve its climate targets, a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary. This can only be achieved by increasing the share of renewable energy and improving the efficiency of energy supply for electricity and heat. In a sustainable energy system, it therefore makes sense to take a holistic view of all players (producers, consumers, storage facilities, etc.), including balancing the respective load and generation profiles. In the FlexHP research project, this approach is being pursued in order to optimize load shifting on the electricity grid side and increase the proportion of renewable electricity. To this end, buildings are integrated into a dynamic energy management system as thermal storage units and heat pumps as highly efficient heat generators in addition to the known players (battery storage, electric car, photovoltaic system) and the load consumption for the grid is optimized using an AI-supported control algorithm. This is intended to create an additional flexibility provider for the electricity grid in times of surplus electricity. The aim of the dynamic energy management system is to optimize load shifting at building level through the interaction of forecast models and optimized control of individual consumers.This requires modeling of all players involved in the electricity grid in order to be able to predict their behavior.Using forecast models that have been tested and validated with historical data, an algorithm is being developed that enables optimized interaction between the individual players with a load balancing target function. The individual models and the function of the control algorithm are tested in a living lab with real system components.Power grid parameters from the low and medium voltage level are used as the primary control variable.The applicability of the system is to be tested on a laboratory scale with system components available on the market.

Vienna wants to be climate-neutral by 2040. Flagship projects play a central role in the energy transition. With the “100 projects out of gas” initiative of the Department of Energy Planning of the City of Vienna, which is managed by UIV Urban Innovation Vienna Vienna GmbH, aims to increase the visibility of solutions in existing buildings. be strengthened. The aim is to present the greatest possible variety of alternatives to heat and electricity supply using fossil fuels. The experience gained from the implemented projects should support other projects in their implementation, as well as provide the City of Vienna and its advice centers with valuable information. One focus is on supporting and replicating decarbonization projects that are planned or being implemented. decarbonization and to demonstrate replicable solutions for comparable projects. projects. Technical and economic studies on common use cases are used to to identify replicable solutions and learn from them. Covering the heating requirements of a multi-storey residential building with just one renewable renewable heat source can be difficult to achieve under unfavorable initial conditions. be difficult.

The aim of IEA Bioenergy Task 33, "Gasification of Biomass and Waste for a Sustainable Future," is to exchange information on the production and use of heat and synthesis gases from biomass and waste within member countries, identify barriers to the commercialization of gasification technology, and provide recommendations. The focus is particularly on sharing information about research and development programs in the gasification of biomass, waste, and residues, as well as on commercial plants and the market opportunities for biomass gasification systems. Another key task of Task 33 is monitoring the global status of gasification. For this purpose, a database of pilot, demo, and commercial plants has been created, currently containing around 200 registered facilities. Additionally, a status report is published every triennium. For the upcoming triennium, Austria's representative, Dr. Jitka Hrbek from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), has been elected as the head of the Task. This is expected to further increase the chances of implementing various gasification technologies in Austria and promoting Austrian technologies worldwide. As such, the future leader has proposed Task projects that are highly relevant for Austria. The planned Task projects for the upcoming triennium are: "Implementing pathways of gasification" A video on gasification technology and its potential "Gasification for developing countries" A status report on gasification Additionally, the following projects are planned in collaboration with other Tasks: "Expanding the resource base for energy and material production" "Renewable hydrogen production" BECCUS Networking and information exchange will continue as usual through Task meetings, international workshops, and webinars. To disseminate information, the website will be regularly updated with current workshop presentations, country reports, newsletters, and other resources. Furthermore, there are plans to organize the "International Biomass Gasification User Conference" in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) in 2025 and 2027, especially for stakeholders from Austria.