Energy companies cooperate on research for a sustainable future

How can underground thermal water deposits be used for seasonal energy storage for the district heating network? How can the bundled battery capacities of electric vehicles stabilize the power grid and could vehicle operators perhaps even earn money from this? And how can the digitalization of the electricity grid enable intelligent load distribution in conjunction with fluctuating energy volumes from wind and solar power plants?

The Green Energy Lab - bridging the gap between research and the market

In the Green Energy Lab, such new ideas and technologies are tested in practice with the aim of ending dependence on fossil fuels through innovative, affordable and sustainable systems. The research partners benefit from the joint commitment of the energy companies Wien Energie, EVN, Burgenland Energie and Energie Steiermark, which together ensure the energy supply of more than five million end consumers. This means that the Green Energy Lab showcase region covers more than half of the Austrian energy market, making it Austria's largest innovation laboratory. New technological solutions can be tested under real-life conditions and, if necessary, quickly implemented on a large scale.

The Green Energy Lab stands for innovation through cooperation - I think our vibrant networks and active partners are an important ingredient for the success of the energy transition, says Mathias Schaffer, CEO of the Green Energy Lab.

Joint commitment to the energy transition

At the Green Energy Lab's 2023 General Assembly, the four energy supply companies Wien Energie, EVN, Burgenland Energie and Energie Steiermark reaffirmed their commitment to a sustainable energy future. EVN CEO Stefan Szyszkowitz is delighted to continue to be part of Austria's largest innovation lab:

We must join forces on the path to a renewable energy future.

Michael Strebl, Chairman of the Wien Energie Management Board, also emphasizes this: " Actively meeting the challenges of the energy transition in a large consortium with innovative ideas from the field is an important joint step towards a sustainable energy future.

The Green Energy Lab is not just about abstract basic research, but above all about the practical application and integration of new solutions into existing energy grids.

It is important that the innovations we develop do not get stuck in the 'lab' and reach our customers in the market. This is why we place great emphasis on the market integration of our projects

Stephan Sharma, Chairman of the Management Board of Burgenland Energie.

By bundling synergies in research, the energy transition can be driven forward even faster in order to make the energy supply of the future even more ecological.

Only by joining forces can we succeed in mobilizing the necessary innovation potential to bring newly developed technologies to market maturity as quickly as possible so that they can make a substantial contribution to the decarbonization of the energy sector. This is the primary goal of our joint initiative, concludes Christian Purrer, CEO of Energie Steiermark.

More than 300 network partners

Green Energy Lab is the largest innovation laboratory for sustainable energy solutions in Austria and part of the Climate and Energy Fund's "Vorzeigeregion Energie". More than 300 partners from research, industry and the public sector are networked in the "Innovator Circle". With Green Energy Foresight, the innovation potential of different technologies is continuously analyzed and made available to stakeholders in the joint network. New technological solutions for a sustainable energy future are being developed and tested in around 50 ongoing projects.

Further information: www.greenenergylab.at