Research & Innovation

We will achieve a climate-neutral future if we create something new and dare to try something new. We create new things through research and development (R&E) - by turning our ideas into reality and further improving what is already good. We dare to do new things through innovation - by implementing planned and controlled change. These are also the main driving forces behind the restructuring of the energy system. The competitiveness of our companies and Austria is inextricably linked to this. These changes cannot only be tried out in the laboratory; people are also an important part of this transformation. Often we hardly notice the improvements, but sometimes completely new things emerge and the new ideas have a disruptive effect (internet, smartphone ...).

Investing in the future pays off

R&D expenditure in Austria accounts for just over 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). These are not costs, but investments in the future. Public spending on research, development and demonstration projects in the energy sector amounted to 224.1 million euros in 2021. This represents an increase of 68.9 million euros or 44.4 percent compared to the previous year and is by far the highest figure ever recorded in Austria.

We provide answers for the design of R&E programs

The Austrian Energy Agency advises and supports the federal ministries on energy-related issues in research and innovation programs. In national programs the focus is on design and monitoring, in European and international programs it is on co-design.