To facilitate the development of pioneering, integrated systems for the regions, based on 100% renewable energy, new digital, cross-sector technologies and solutions need to be researched, developed and tested. In addition to technical issues, there are also numerous economic and social challenges to be overcome.
The innovation laboratory act4.energy initiates and supports research and innovation projects for the development and testing of new products, solutions and services for an integrated regional energy system. Under this initiative, for example in the Oberwart-Stegersbach region, amongst others, experimental conditions are being set up and operated, creating the necessary infrastructure for the development of energy innovations. Numerous stakeholders from companies, research institutions, local authorities and civil society are working together in open innovation processes. They are developing and demonstrating efficient new technologies, solutions and business models.
One important goal is to improve the options for maximising the use of regional renewable energy sources. The question then arises, of how to ensure the regional energy supply remains stable, in spite of the fluctuating availability of renewable energies. One possible solution is targeted, permanently optimised energy load-shifting. With the help of digitally controlled regional energy management systems for multiple buildings along with new storage options, it should be possible in future to integrate a large proportion of renewable energy.
One key topic is optimising consumption of photovoltaic power generated and used on a local basis throughout the region. The goal of new technologies and system solutions is to optimise end-users’ consumption of locally produced PV power in the future, to feed surplus energy into the network, and to be able to benefit from local renewable energy communities and flexible tariff models.
With the “Sonnenkraftwerk-Burgenland” (Burgenland solar power station) photovoltaic initiative, the act4.energy innovation laboratory region already has a well-developed photovoltaic network, with many different types of photovoltaic installations (in private, community-based or agricultural settings, as well as those on commercial and corporate premises and citizen-owned installations). The geography and demographic structure of the region (approx. 20,000 inhabitants) make this area an ideal test environment.
The concepts and solutions for the future of energy developed here are intended to serve as models which can then be applied to other regions. The creation of an international competence centre for regional energy systems will be conducive to networking and the exchange of knowledge in future.
act4.energy services
> development, support and implementation of R&D proposals including networking activities for the establishment of consortia
> proposals for optimising the use of infrastructures (photovoltaic infrastructure, storage systems, e-charging systems, software for demand side management systems, software for e-car operation centre, etc.)
> access to a range of different user groups
> development and implementation of open innovation processes
> measures to promote networking with relevant stakeholders
> organisation of topic-specific information events
act4.energy strategy team
> AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
> BlueSky Energy GmbH (Greenrock)
> Fronius International GmbH
> Kapsch BusinessCom AG
> Kioto Photovoltaics GmbH
> Rabmer Greentech GmbH
> Siblik Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
> Siemens Österreich AG
