The International Energy Agency (IEA) was founded in 1974 as an autonomous OECD organisation with headquarters in Paris. The IEA currently has 28 members; Austria is one of the 16 founding member countries and thus has almost 40 years of experience within this international cooperation framework. This international network gives Austria the opportunity to participate in a worldwide R&D programme. One of the IEA’s key functions is the improvement of energy supply infrastructure across the globe through development and propagation of new energy technologies and efficient end-use technologies.

Austrian experts from research, politics and industry are currently engaged in 17 of 42 IEA research programs (“Implementing Agreements”). International exchange enables them to strengthen their fortes and position themselves in the market. In the field of bio-energy and solar power Austria has even taken a technological lead. An evaluation of the programme conducted for the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology in 2012 established the positive effects on Austrian research and industry.

IEA Bioenergy-Research Programme involves close cooperation between Austrian experts and international specialists.The actual R&D and market-related activities are conducted at the project level as part of the tasks. During the current period, 2010 – 2012, Austria takes part in the following tasks:

• Task 32: Combustion and Co-Combustion of Biomass
• Task 33: Thermal Gasification of Biomass
• Task 37: Energy from Biogas and Landfill Gas
• Task 38: Greenhouse Gas Balances of Biomass and Bioenergy Systems
• Task 39: Market Launch of 1st and 2nd-Generation Biofuels
• Task 40: Sustainable International Bioenergy Trading – Securing of Supply and Demand
• Task 42: Bio-Refineries