Research Projects
There are 47 results.
WLCÖ - Whole Life Carbon Austria: Comparative life-cycle assessments for buildings and construction methods in Austria
The project's aim is to develop a scientifically robust building LCA methodology that can be applied throughout Austria and enable a neutral, consistent comparison of conventional and future-proof constructions.
U-Bahn goes circular - Increasing the Circular Economy in the Civil Engineering Works of Vienna’s Subway Lines
The objective is to develop and pilot strategies for the reuse and material recovery of excavated materials in order to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, landfill volumes, and the use of primary raw materials. To this end, innovative analytical methods, digital tools, new business models, and the legal frameworks at the interface between construction and waste legislation are addressed. The results are intended to serve as the basis for a subsequent real-world laboratory and to enable scalable processes for future infrastructure projects. In doing so, the project makes a tangible contribution to climate neutrality, resource conservation, and sustainable procurement in public construction.
Transform:Leoben2040 - Preparation of a demonstration project for the climate-neutral development of the Fichtlplatz–Kärntnerstraße district
The exploratory project Transform:LEoben2040 develops a transferable transformation concept for the municipal residential district Fichtlplatz–Kärntnerstraße in Leoben. By developing an integrated district energy system as well as new financing and operational models, the project aims to identify climate-neutral and economically viable solutions for transforming existing urban neighborhoods. The results will provide the basis for a subsequent demonstration phase and serve as a transferable model for other pioneer small cities.
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.
Earthen building 2.0: Earthen building of the future - The art of craftsmanship based on engineering approaches
The exploratory project investigated the suitability of fiber optic sensors for the long-term monitoring of the deformation behavior of rammed earth wall elements under moisture and temperature fluctuations (shrinkage) as well as loads (creep). The experimental findings will be integrated into a finite element model to simulate failure behavior under load.
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.
REHSA - Regenerative House for Health
REHSA focuses on the topic of "Demonstration of innovative building technologies and prototypes." The project will develop a groundbreaking, regenerative clinic model that goes far beyond conventional sustainability and combines innovative architecture, circular resource use, intelligent IT and medical technologies, and healing, people-centered environments.
MaBo - material saving in bored piles - a contribution to reducing CO2-emissions in the construction industry
Development of an innovative method for saving material in bored piles in order to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction industry. By optimizing the construction methods and using alternative materials, the sustainability of the foundation bodies is to be improved.
Commercial Quarter Erdberger Mais (EBM) - Transformation of a Business Development Area into a Climate-Resilient Commercial Quarter
The project addresses the urgent need to further develop existing industrial areas in a climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and future-oriented way. The approximately 7.6-hectare commercially used site in Vienna is to be developed as an industrial-commercial area in line with the Wien-Plan (Urban Development Plan 2035).
NEXUS - AI for Next Generation Smart Buildings
he NEXUS project develops a novel AI-based framework for scalable fault detection and predictive maintenance of HVAC systems in buildings. NEXUS enables early fault detection without the need for large labeled datasets. The project aims to significantly reduce energy consumption, extend system lifetimes, and contribute to the decarbonization of the building sector.
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.
AI4FM - Artificial Intelligence for Facility Management
AI-based anomaly and fault detection in buildings. Digital twins of buildings with simulation models for testing and optimizing rule-based fault detection methods. Mining of the recorded time-series data from existing Building Management Systems to train Machine Learning models for fault detection.
TEA-PUMP – Techno-economic Analysis of Thermoelectric Modules for Efficiency and Performance Enhancement in Heat Pumps for Residential Buildings
The TEA-Pump project explores the innovative use of thermoelectric elements (TEM) in compression heat pumps to enhance their efficiency and performance. Through a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, promising heat pump (HP) configurations for use in urban multi-family housing are identified. The project makes a significant contribution to the decarbonization of heating and cooling supply and supports the development of climate-neutral cities through energy-efficient, future-oriented heat pump technologies.
MasSan - Feasibility study of serial renovation concepts & models in Austria
Feasibility study to present and analyze the framework conditions and potential of serial renovations of large-volume buildings. The findings from the national pilot projects as well as the international / German projects and models are extracted and checked for their feasibility in the Austrian context and the requirements are prepared.
FlexHP - AI-supported control models for optimising the flexibility of heat pumps to reduce the load on the electricity grid
Development of a new type of energy management system for heat pumps that enables methods for intelligent heat pump operation and thus maximises flexibility. This requires forecast-based models for control that utilise technologies such as machine learning.
cityclimAIte - Study on AI applications to achieve and support climate-neutral cities
The central task of this study is to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive overview and to derive recommendations for the efficient use and benefits of AI based on the estimated effects. The aim is to strengthen national value chain in this field of technology through appropriate, supportive framework conditions.
PersonAI - User-Centered AI-based energy services built on personal preference models
Conduct a large-scale, long-term study with 40-50 people to create personal comfort profiles to increase comfort in buildings. The personal comfort profiles will then be fed back into the building control system as input variables in a proof-of-concept.
RIGOR - Towards reproducible, transparent, and valid AI methods for buildings and cities
The RIGOR project investigates the actual added value and scientific reliability of AI-based methods in the context of buildings, districts, and cities. It focuses on reproducibility, transparency, and the objective comparison of modern AI approaches with simple, robust baseline models. The goal is to establish an evidence-based foundation for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in energy- and safety-critical applications in the built environment.
SUDICA - Sustainable Digitalization as a Challenge for City Administrations
The project investigates the tension between digitization and sustainability in city administrations, particularly focusing on the largely unaddressed, negative global feedback effects of digital technologies. It aims to systematize these interactions, develop an integrative understanding, and lay the groundwork for a more sustainable use of digitization in municipal decisions.