Research

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?

Climate change has an impact on the hydrology in the March catchment. Climate change modelling studies for catchments in this region show reduced soil moisture and increasing drought stress in the summer months. The aim of this project is to investigate which ecological measures can be taken to improve water retention in the Lower Austrian March catchment area. The results should support land users, regional policy and administration in adapting to climate change. The study focusses in detail on the following three topics: 1. climate forecasts and extreme precipitation 2. causes of declining water availability and challenges 3. nature-based options for action and their potential