What potential do you see for bioenergy with regard to our future energy supplies?
Bioenergy is stored solar energy which can be used at any time, independently of whether the sun is shining or the wind blowing. Wind and solar power are subject to fluctuation over time and thus need to be combined with suitable energy storage technologies. Due to this important advantage bioenergy is going to rank prominently in a future and sustainable energy system.
How active are Austrian scientists and companies in this field?
My perception is that both Austrian research institutions and companies concerned with bioenergy are quite active – so it has always been possible to put our ideas across to companies which then participate in development and launch successful products on the market.
How well integrated is Austria into international research activities?
Austria’s researchers are extremly active and sucessful internationally, and have set up networks of their own during the last few decades. This is the foundation for successful participation in various EU programmes. A significant starting-point for the development of these networks has been the IEA Research Cooperation network, which Austria has been a part of for almost 40 years now.
Which opportunities does participation in IEA-Bioenergy offer to researchers and companies?
Energy research is on the international agenda and does not stop at the Austrian border. By participating in IEA-Bioenergy we can recognize international developments in good time and participate in shaping them. Subsequently research topics can be positioned properly in Austria and strengths developed which are then brought to bear when we participate in international research projects. In some bioenergy areas Austria has actually led the way internationally in the past.
Which areas of research have the greatest potential for development?
A future sustainable energy system will be based on intelligent coordination of several renewable energy sources, with primarily local producers feeding into this system. Currently, for example, dual energy grid systems (e. g. electricity and natural gas) are under discussion which require efficientmethods for conversion (“Power to Gas”). These areas have the greatest potential for development in my view: a potential which needs to be evaluated and harnessed in future.