Research Projects
There are 25 results.
Wärmezukunft Steyr - Innovative Models for Climate-Neutral Heat Supply in Steyr
The project aims to establish the foundation for a climate-neutral, socially inclusive, and economically viable heating and cooling system in a pioneer city. It combines technical planning with governance approaches and the development of business and operator models. A special focus is placed on anergy networks, which - despite high upfront investments - offer strong potential for low-temperature, dual-purpose heating and cooling supply.
CITYGovernance - Adjustments in the innovation ecosystem around regulatory framework conditions
The aim of the R&D service was to gain insights on obstacles and barriers to the overarching governance for achieving the goal of "climate neutrality of Austrian cities", to structure them and to prepare them in a publishable study. The study focuses on the areas of energy, buildings and mobility and contain recommendations for action on the necessary framework conditions and need for change.
CoSpatial Heat - Joint spatial coordination of heat supply in Gleisdorf
CoSpatial Heat is developing an integrated, geodata-based heating and gas supply planning concept for the Gleisdorf region. By jointly considering space heating, process heat, and gas infrastructure, future supply, expansion, and decommissioning areas are identified. The systemic integration of GIS analyses, consumption data, energy audits, and stakeholder knowledge generates robust decision-making foundations for municipalities, industry, and network operators.
MARGRET Bioshade - Building Physics-Based Quantification of the Shading and Cooling Performance of Building Greening
The MARGRET Bioshade project investigates the impact of building greening on energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and building assessment. Its focus is on quantifying the shading performance of vertical greening systems, analyzing the water balance and evaporative cooling effects of different greening solutions, and developing standardized parameters for planning, simulation, and technical guidelines.
DEKARBOdezentral - Cost-effective Implementation of Decentralised Decarbonisation in Residential Buildings
The project explores cost-effective, decentralised heat pump solutions as an alternative to gas-fired floor combi boilers in existing flats. By utilising existing infrastructures such as chimney shafts, minimally invasive decarbonisation is enabled without comprehensive building refurbishment.
ReNew Lindenplatz - Resolving key transformation conflicts for a climate-resilient redevelopment of the Lindenplatz district in Kapfenberg
The exploratory project ReNew Lindenplatz develops a transferable planning approach for climate-neutral and climate-resilient small and medium-sized cities, using the historic old-town district around Lindenplatz and Hauptplatz in Kapfenberg as a case study. Through interdisciplinary analyses, participatory processes and scenario-based development of alternatives, an integrated transformation concept for the district will be developed. The results will form the basis for a subsequent demonstration project and provide transferable solution approaches for other small Austrian pioneer cities.
BROWNFIELD-PV Leoben - Sondierung einer PV-Anlage auf der in Nachsorge befindlichen städtischen Deponie Seegraben (Leoben)
The project develops an innovative multi-benefit approach for urban landfill photovoltaics by integrating methane oxidation, biodiversity-enhancing vegetation, and inclusive citizen participation.
LoPQ - Local Heat together - Pioneer Quarters for Neighborhood Heat and Colling Supply and Quarter Renovation
LoPQ develops integrated supply and renovation concepts for urban quarters by coupling anergy networks with renewable energy sources. From 20 initial sites, five pilot quarters will be selected for detailed feasibility studies, with one final quarter proposed for a follow-up R&D&I project. The interdisciplinary consortium combines expertise in technology, geosciences, and economics to create inaugural, holistic operating and financing models. Scaling these solutions addresses an investment volume of €1.9 billion and a CO2 reduction potential of approximately 25,600 t per year.
Urban Sky - Satellite-based planning and analysis applications for climate-neutral and resilient cities
The project investigates how satellite data can support cities and municipalities (e.g. urban development, spatial energy planning, mobility transition). Based on demand and potential analyses, service concepts will be derived that integrate existing data and tools with satellite applications. The results will be presented in a study and a Space4Cities implementation roadmap.
RST Reloaded - Flexibilisation of the urban power supply system by adapting the existing ripple control system
"RST reloaded" utilises existing ripple control technology (RST) to activate flexible loads in a targeted manner to benefit the grid and thus create capacities for more renewable energy in urban electricity grids. The aim is to analyse technical potential and user acceptance in equal measure and validate them in an implementation. The approach is scalable, legally compliant and transferable to other municipal utilities.
Mind the gap - Development of a Directional Drilling Method for Shallow Geothermal Energy
The project develops a miniaturised directional drilling method enabling geothermal boreholes to be installed beneath existing buildings, addressing a major gap in densely built urban areas. By drilling from accessible edge zones and keeping all probes on private land, permitting procedures are simplified and public-space interventions minimized. The study assesses technical, regulatory and economic feasibility and forms the basis for subsequent prototype development.
Wood.TAB - Investigation of thermally activatable timber components incorporating phase‑change materials for heating and cooling
Wood.TAB develops thermally activatable timber components with biogenic phase‑change materials for efficient heat and cold storage. The technology uses the building mass as a thermal storage system, reduces peak loads, and improves indoor comfort.
MidSKliN – Minimally invasive dynamic rehabilitation taking into account climate change adaptation, CO₂ emissions and grid compatibility
The project aims to develop and demonstrate minimal renovation measures at the building envelope level using modular, technically easy-to-implement building technology solutions for decisive CO2 reduction and climate adaptation in urban building stock.
5th Gen HG - 5th Generation Heating Grid Neutal
In the 5th Gen HG project, an energy supply concept based entirely on renewable electricity and heat is to be developed for the municipality of Neutal in Burgenland and the neighbouring technology site. A newly designed 5th generation heating grid will form the local energy distribution backbone in the municipality. In addition to the technical and economic conceptualisation, the integration of local stakeholder requirements is a key feature of the project.
FW-Netz Traiskirchen - Feasibility study on decarbonizing the district heating network in Traiskirchen by using the sewage treatment plant as a heat source
The exploratory project is examining the technical, economic, and ecological feasibility of community-wide decarbonization of the district heating network in Traiskirchen. The focus is on merging the existing sub-networks and utilizing wastewater heat from the sewage treatment plant using a large heat pump. The results will form a basis for strategic decision-making and serve as a model for other small and medium-sized towns.
AnergieLeichtGemacht - Development of Scalable Implementation Models for Geothermal Anergy Networks to Decarbonize the Building Sector
The project develops standardized technical, organizational, and financial implementation models for anergy networks to enable sustainable heating solutions in cities and municipalities. By identifying suitable settlement typologies, analyzing existing framework conditions, and engaging stakeholders, scalable solutions are created. The goal is to reduce planning and implementation barriers and facilitate investments in local anergy networks.
Fit4Heat_Rust - Future-proof heating network in Rust
Development of an innovative, sector-coupled heating network concept for the city of Rust that flexibly integrates renewable heat sources and cooling provision and enables third-party access in accordance with RED II.
#EEG++ Digital Energy Communities Optimized
The project aims to develop an innovative energy system for plus-energy neighborhoods by integrating advanced photovoltaic installations, IoT technology, and energy communities to maximize the self-consumption of renewable energy while ensuring economic efficiency and user-centricity.
IntEGrity - Integration and Diffusion of Energy Communities
IntEGrity aims at fully integrating energy communities in the existing energy landscape in order to push for efficient diffusion and to use the potential of the positive contribution to energy awareness, efficiency and climate neutrality. In order to fully enable integration, the project explores innovative developments on three levels - social level, energy community level and service level.
SAGE - scalable multi-agent architectures for facility management and energy efficiency
The SAGE project is developing scalable multi-agent architectures that enable buildings to recognize operational anomalies autonomously and react dynamically to environmental changes. The integration of multi-agent architectures in combination with Large Language Models (LLMs) and the development of a human-in-the-loop approach will optimize the collaboration between humans and machines. These solutions should significantly reduce the energy consumption of buildings and increase user-friendliness.