Field Test Waldviertel

Stadt der Zukunft 8. Ausschreibung

EVN AG

Epool

FH Technikum Wien

Sonnenplatz Großschönau GmbH

Initial situation, issue and motivation:

The northern Waldviertel region (Gmünd, Zwettl, Waidhofen/Thaya and Horn) consists of 80 municipalities and has been pioneering renewable energies for several years. In previous years, the overarching motto „One step further at a time“, has already helped facilitate various diverse research projects, climate and energy model regions (KEM), or climate adaptability regions (KLAR). Additionally, these projects have been continually supported by committed clubs and orginazitions, who have contributed innovative ideas to the energy revolution. The resulting structures (e.g. KEMs, KLARs, Leader, association Interkom,…) and infrastructure (e.g. hard- and software solutions extracted from research projects), an above average sensibilized and active population and the above Austrian average of renewable generating plants within the region (e.g. photovoltaics, biomass,…), present excellent conditions for the implementation of a field test. This is special in so far, as various and numerous other regions all over Austria, will be playing catch up to the aforementioned conditions (e.g. high pv density,…) within the next few years. This unique situation also offers the opportunity to develop concepts and business models, which have the potential to be implemented all over Austria withing a 2-3 year time frame.

Goals and potential for innovation:

The aim of this project is the development of a concept for a “field test 100% renewable energy Waldviertel”. This includes:

• an inventory (e.g. value chains, eco-systems, current energetic value, enablers, multipliers,…), as well as a requirement analysis in the region,
• the development of a list of measures to be able to reach 100% renewable energies in the field test by 2030 and building on that, the development and evaluation of concepts and business models by involving the population and the regional advisory board,
• the development of a strategy for the operation of the field test Waldviertel (implementation roadmap) including a first estimate of the economic framework and an evaluation of the following ways of financing in the future field test,
• The field test Waldviertel delivers an essential contribution for a future that consists of 100% renewable energies. Thanks to the collaboration of the general public, consumers, companies and regional institutions, sustainable solutions for a safe and climate-neutral energy system are being researched, developed and tested so they may be practical and easily applicable.

With the following goals the Field test Waldviertel thereby delivers an essential contribution towards a future where 100% renewable energy is a reality:

• improving the economic efficiency of renewable generating technologies, and thereby supporting their expansion within the region,
•  strengthening biomass and local heat network suppliers, to contribute to the switch from fossil heat supply to climate-neutral heat supply,
•  increasing flexibility of consumption and production via sector coupling and strengthening the joint usage of storage facilities,
• developing applicable business models, ideas, concepts,… with the regional population and the regional advisory board, to be able to reach the goal of 100% renewable energy sources by 2030 and make e-mobility more attractive.

This includes the following priorities:

• Concepts and business models with a broad impact (without necessity for funding or technology use from participants) and a focus on “Strengthening regionality”, are intended to persuade as many people as possible to participate in the energy transition.
• Holistic solution-oriented approaches will be developed via a co-creative process and will have the aim of securing a regional supply of basic needs (safety, electricity and water, food). This is done to safeguard basic supply and generate added value for everyone involved.
• Lighthouse projects within the region are supposed to showcase that (technology focused) (business-) models are essential when developing the potential for flexibility, as well as enabling 100% renewable energies, while simultaneously avoiding a change in people’s everyday lives.

Pursued results and insights: 

Together with the local population, consumers, companies and regional institutions, sustainable solutions for a safe and climate neutral energy system will be researched, developed and tested for practicality. Consequently, results will be summarized and combined into a textual and economic concept for actualization (this includes a list of measures, concepts and business models, as well as an operating strategy for the operation of field test Waldviertel).

https://reallaborw4.at (in German)