Challenges

In order to be able to effectively minimize the serious - also economic - effects of the climate crisis, greenhouse gas emissions must be drastically reduced. Following the Paris climate agreement, the Austrian federal government has set itself the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040, i.e. reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero, taking sinks into account. Achieving this climate neutrality requires political decisions and clear framework conditions, but also acceptance and support from all entrepreneurs, employees and consumers in the country.

Since 1977: energy efficiency, renewable energy and new technologies

The most important building blocks for this conversion of Austria have been written down in the statutes of the Austrian Energy Agency since 1977: energy efficiency, renewable energy and new technologies.

“We have set ourselves the goal of climbing a high mountain by 2040. With energy efficiency, this mountain gets smaller.”

Energy from wind, water and sun as well as biogenic substances forms the basis for most solutions to the climate crisis - and thus also for mobility, economy and life of tomorrow. But even these inexhaustible sources of energy are limited. Energy efficiency is an essential key to keeping the demand for electricity, gas and other energy sources as small as possible. Whether thermally high-quality buildings, efficient vehicles, potential savings in industry or with devices - efficiency first!

We provide answers for a climate-neutral future.

The analysis and evidence-based design of political framework conditions has been an important focus of our activities since the Energy Agency was founded in 1977. We develop the basis for climate and energy strategies, analyze and provide facts for laws and funding programs and play a coordinating and moderating role in shaping energy and climate policy frameworks and the implementation of awareness-raising initiatives (e.g. klimaaktiv).

Against this background, we not only advise politics and administration, but also companies and their representatives in the support or implementation of policy measures (such as the Energy Efficiency Act).

We specialize in the following challenges:

• Energy efficiency first: modernize buildings
• Using energy sensibly in industry and commerce
• Rely on emission-free, efficient and active mobility
• Expand renewables for 100% green electricity
• Stepping out of oil and natural gas in space heating
• Convince people of the climate-neutral future
• Research, development and innovation as the driving force

The climate-neutral energy system follows a different logic than the current, highly hierarchical system. Digitization, decentralization, flexibility and democratization are elements that shape the energy world of tomorrow.

In concrete terms, this can mean: The car is operated with the electricity that comes from the PV systems on the roof at home. Your own home or office is heated with heat from a nearby factory that may not have been used before. The factory, in turn, runs on green hydrogen produced using electricity from wind energy. Consumers form energy communities and exchange electricity and heat for each other.

Countries around the world are converting their energy systems towards renewable energy. The electricity system of the future, for example, will adapt to the changing electricity mix, and the ability to be flexible will become a key factor in ensuring security and quality of supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Flexibility has different dimensions: Flexibility in consumption (flexibly switchable loads, "Demand Response", Power-to-X, storage) and flexibility in generation (gas peaker and CHP, hydropower, X-to-Power, storage) . Storage such as stationary and mobile batteries, pumped storage power plants or Power-to-X (to-Power) technologies play a major role in this, along with other solutions. Three other elements enable these flexibility options to be used effectively and increase the latitude in operating a power system:

• Well-developed, robust networks to be able to shift electrical energy geographically
• Digitization of consumers, producers, storage and grids
• Integrated electricity markets and the use of imports and exports

We provide answers for a climate-neutral future.

The experts from the Austrian Energy Agency analyze how to create new connections between the sectors while also using technological progress. Specifically, we focus on the following challenges:

• Sector integration: thinking holistically about the energy system
• Consumption, storage, generation: The flexible energy system
• Green hydrogen as an element of the climate-neutral future
• A robust network infrastructure for a secure energy system
• Digitization as an enabler for systemic intelligence
• Develop energy markets for a climate-neutral world
• International and European cooperation

Real and effective climate protection offers great opportunities: for the environment, for people and also for the many committed businesses and companies that are becoming or already are pioneers of a climate-friendly economy in Austria and internationally.

The major conversion not only requires energetic entrepreneurs, but also many qualified workers who install photovoltaic systems, replace fossil fuels with climate-friendly heating systems, renovate buildings, produce climate-neutral steel and much more. The climate-neutral future also brings modern, safe and meaningful jobs.

The great transformation also brings with it a new way of doing business: In addition to the more efficient use of energy, raw materials, goods, etc., the circular economy is the most important lever to make Austria a sustainable, resource-efficient and even more competitive economy. If materials, goods and products are used several times and kept in the cycle for longer, large amounts of primary resources (and thus emissions) can be saved.

This change needs to be inclusive, which means it needs to involve people – and it needs to be fair and leave no one behind.

Access to renewable energy, qualified workers and innovative solutions redefine the concept of competitiveness, reduced import dependency and more sustainability in the supply chain make infrastructures and value chains more robust and resilient.

We provide answers for a climate-neutral future.

The experts at the Austrian Energy Agency accompany this change with expertise, commitment and a broad network, focusing on the following topics:

• Good business with green technologies
• Skilled workers for the big conversion
• Active citizens: energy communities & Co
• Circular economy: resources in a cycle
• Just Transition: Fairness in the transition to climate neutrality
• The industry in the competition for the climate-neutral future
• Robust value chains and resilient infrastructures