EWV4EnergyTransition - Concrete Contributions to the Urban Energy Transition Using the Example of Properties Owned by the Evangelischer Waisen­versorgungs­verein Wien

In collaboration with the Evangelischer Waisenversorgungsverein Wien (EWV), which owns six properties in Vienna, the project will examine how the expansion of renewable energy sources and the establishment of renewable energy communities can be implemented in densely populated urban environments.

This involves assessing feasibility and highlighting the potential outcomes. The project seeks to develop innovative concepts for climate-neutral cities and neighbourhoods, thereby making a significant contribution to sustainable infrastructural, economic, and social transformation.

Starting point / motivation

Climate change and the current energy crisis pose challenges for people. The expansion of renewable energies or renewable energy communities (EEG) is an approach to reducing fossil fuels and at the same time increases independence from fluctuating or rising energy prices.

Since the Renewable Energy Expansion Act came into force in 2021, a large number of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Citizen-led Energy Communities have been established in Austria.

In densely built-up urban areas, the establishment of RECs proves to be more complex due to regulatory, social, economic and technical aspects. These include, for example, conflicts of interest in multi-party buildings or conflicting economic incentives. In addition, the establishment and operation of an REC is often perceived as too complicated.

Content and goals

In this project, we want to identify these difficulties in the expansion of renewable energies and RECs in densely built-up urban areas and offer solutions with the help of a clear, inclusive and gender-sensitive communication strategy.

We want to create innovative solutions for climate-neutral cities and building blocks and thus make a contribution to the infrastructural, economic and social transformation towards a more sustainable future.

Methods

As part of our project, we are working with the Evangelischer Waisenversorgungsverein Wien (EWV - LOI partner), which owns six properties in Vienna, to examine the extent to which the expansion of renewable energy and the establishment of renewable energy communities in densely built-up urban areas is possible and what potential there is.

By surveying the status quo and analysing the technical and social potential, important findings for the implementation of renewable energy communities in densely built-up urban areas are collected. These findings will be documented and can serve as a basis for subsequent projects and studies.

In conjunction with the specific buildings and building blocks, co-creative lines of argumentation and incentive models will be created in order to improve the acceptance of technical and social solutions.

At the end of the project, a step-by-step and implementation plan will be drawn up on the basis of the analyses and comparative economic calculations with recommendations for how individual buildings/areas should deal with the topic of energy transition, renewable energies and renewable energy communities. This plan includes both the benefits and the risk factors for the respective implementation recommendations.

Expected results

This project will create a knowledge base on the personal, organisational and structural success factors and barriers to active participation in the energy and heating transition and acceptance of renewable energy communities.

The findings of this project can serve as a basis for further projects or studies, or provide a role model for other owners in urban areas to promote the expansion of renewable energies and to found or join a REC.

Project management

B-NK GmbH Büro für nachhaltige Kompetenz

Project or cooperation partners

• Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Dopheide e.U.
• Evangelisches Haus Hadersdorf – Wobes, Medizinische, Psychologische und Psychotherapeutische Gesundheits- und Heilstätte, Schweizer Haus Hadersdorf (SHH) GmbH
• MACH Energiegesellschaft m.b.H.
• Stieglmayer Gebäudeverwaltung e. U.
• TRIGONplan
• Weber Harrer Rechtsanwälte GmbH & Co KG

B-NK GmbH Büro für nachhaltige Kompetenz
Dipl.-Ing.in Dr.in Bente Knoll
Diepoldplatz 6/18
A-1170 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (676) 64610151
E-mail: bente.knoll@b-nk.at
Web: www.b-nk.at