Research

The Council for Zero-Emission Construction Sites is a cross-sector platform that brings together stakeholders from the construction industry, manufacturing, research and public administration to drive the transition towards zero-emission construction sites. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas, air pollutant and noise emissions through the use of electric construction machinery and commercial vehicles, the development of suitable energy and charging infrastructure, and the optimisation of construction site logistics and construction processes. The scientific work within the Council focuses on the analysis and evaluation of zero-emission technologies and operational strategies for construction sites. This includes, in particular, studies on the use of electric lorries and construction machinery, energy demand analysis on construction sites, and requirements for charging and energy systems. In addition, real-world operational data from pilot projects and construction site processes is collected and evaluated to quantify emission potentials, identify operational challenges, and derive practical recommendations for the construction industry. The aim of the research is to provide a scientifically sound basis for the planning, implementation and scaling of zero-emission construction sites and construction site logistics.

The Alt Erlaa residential park is one of Austria's largest non-profit housing complexes and a leading social housing project with a supraregional impact. The satisfaction and loyalty of the people living here to their residential environment is above average. Decarb Alt Erlaa 2, building on a previous exploratory study, is looking into the possibilities of transforming the Alt Erlaa residential park into a climate-neutral neighborhood. The aim is to convert the heating system of the residential complex and preserve this architectural gem. The residential complex is currently heated by several gas boilers and is in a state of disrepair. With its unusual dimensions, its architectural and socio-economic significance, and its energy-intensive construction standards from the 1970s and 1980s, the residential complex offers very promising but also very challenging conditions for its development into a climate-neutral neighborhood. This demonstration project will accompany the implementation of the exploratory results, which will take place in the coming years. With its considerable size, the residential park is well suited to initiating and implementing substantial technological and social innovations.

Energy and CO2 savings through CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) and resource and energy efficiency through industrial symbiosis are two essential approaches to decarbonizing industry. At the level of the IEA TCP (Technology Collaboration Programme) "Industrial Energy Technologies and Systems," Task 21 was therefore established at the initiative of the Climate and Energy Fund, operationally executed by the Energy Institute at JKU Linz, and has since been led over two periods. Key Austrian responsibilities in the newly announced third period, which includes two subtasks (#4 Carbon Dioxide Capture in Industry and #5 Facilitation of Industrial Symbiosis), are the leadership of the entire Task 21, the leadership of Subtask 4, as well as substantive contributions to both subtasks. Additionally, dissemination and communication requirements include sharing Austrian findings internationally and bringing international knowledge to Austria. The subtasks focus on CO2 management, legal frameworks for CCUS, new value chains and associated stakeholders, technological integration in industry, tools to enable industrial symbiosis, and a non-technical assessment of the status of cooperation. The international work is accompanied by a comprehensive national communication and dissemination strategy, ensuring stakeholder engagement and bidirectional knowledge transfer.