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Renewable Heat

Phasing out oil and natural gas in space heating

The building sector accounts for around 10 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, or 16 per cent of those emissions not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). These emissions arise primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels to provide space heating and hot water. 

With coal accounting for just 0.2 per cent of all heating systems installed in Austrian households, its phase-out is almost complete. The real challenge, however, lies with other fossil fuels: more than 600,000 oil-fired heating systems and over 900,000 systems primarily fuelled by natural gas are still in operation in private households. In addition, numerous fossil-based heating systems remain in use in the commercial sector such as the hotel industry.

Number of oil and gas heating systems in Austrian households (main residences) in 2017/2018 by federal province. The data show significant regional differences in distribution. (Data source: Statistics Austria, 2020).

Phasing out fossil fuels in space heating by 2040

Phasing out fossil fuels in the space heating sector is an essential prerequisite for achieving climate neutrality by 2040. The government programme also sets out concrete measures for coal, oil and natural gas. A federal law is intended to regulate the gradual phase-out of oil, coal and natural gas in the building sector through a step-by-step plan.

The goal is to achieve a fully renewable heat supply based on biomass, solar energy, geothermal energy and ambient heat. At the same time, local and district heating systems are to be further expanded and their generation likewise freed from coal, oil and natural gas.

Ideally, the transition to climate-friendly heating systems should take place in conjunction with comprehensive building renovation – in line with the principle of “Efficiency First”.

We provide answers for the future of climate-neutral heating

Efficient and climate-friendly heating systems have always been at the centre of our work. We combine expertise in building technology with a systemic perspective on the entire energy system. This enables us to provide optimal support to businesses, policymakers, representative bodies and public authorities in developing effective measures in the heating sector and assist companies in the strategic advancement of their solutions.

In addition to our projects, klimaaktiv, the Austrian Federal Government's climate protection initiative, plays a key role. Through numerous guidance documents, training programmes and tools, such as the klimaaktiv Heating Matrix, it makes a significant contribution to addressing this challenge.

Projects

High-Quality Heat Pump Services

Use of heat pump systems in existing residential buildings

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Projekt Logo von High Quality Heatpump Services, einem EU Projekt

Overview

Distribution of high-quality heat pump systems in residential and office buildings through contracting services.

Multi-WP

Highly efficient multivalent heat pump concepts for the thermal utilisation of outside air with geothermal storage

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An AI-generated model image of a house with a heat pump in front of it. Below you can see the heating and cooling pipes in the ground that supply the house.

Overview

The Multi-WP project investigated the efficiency and flexibility of multivalent heat pump systems that combine various renewable heat sources such as air, ground, solar energy and waste heat. The aim was to maximise the use of locally available, non-fossil energy sources through intelligent system combinations and to improve the annual coefficients of performance of heat pumps. With the help of tools such as the geothermal atlas and the advanced simulation software PYGsim, realistic scenarios were modelled and evaluated. The six case studies showed that such systems are technically feasible even in densely built-up urban areas and lead to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions and lower operating costs in the long term.

CO2 avoidance costs of renewable heating systems

What is the cost of reducing emissions from different heating systems in Europe?

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Mehrere große Haufen aus Holzschnitzeln liegen unter freiem Himmel auf einem Industrieplatz. Im Hintergrund steht ein modernes Industriegebäude mit einem weißen Aufbau, aus dem etwas Dampf aufsteigt. Der Himmel ist klar und blau.

Overview

What is the most cost-effective heating system for reducing CO2 emissions? This study evaluated various heating systems in terms of their CO2 emissions and the costs associated with reducing these CO2 emissions. The study covered five EU countries, namely Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden, as well as the EU average.

WPOpt4Grid

Technical and social challenges in the grid-friendly and economic optimisation of heat pump systems

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Overview

The project investigates the extent to which the economically optimized dimensioning of heat pump systems with time-variable electricity prices is desirable from an ecological and operational point of view as well as from the point of view of the electricity grid over the life cycle.

install.res

heat pump rollout. simple and affordable

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Logo of install.res

Overview

The overall objective of “install.res” is to stimulate large-scale demand for heat pumps in existing buildings. In five different countries, alternative and innovative business and delivery models are tested, demonstrated and scaled-up to support a simple and affordable heat pump roll-out.

DistrictHeatCoolPump

Heat and cold from and for district heating networks using heat pumps

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Overview

Heating networks are crucial for decarbonisation. Heat pumps can increase network performance and reduce heat losses by utilising the return flow as a heat source. This project analyses success factors and restrictions of heat pumps in heating networks and the integration of waste heat from room cooling.

streamSAVE+

Streamlining Energy Savings Calculations in the EU Member States +

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Overview

The streamSAVE+ project supports authorities in the development of new strategies and the harmonisation of energy saving calculations in the EU.

Process-WP

Highly efficient heat pump concepts for waste heat utilisation in the process industry

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[Translate to English:]

Overview

In the process industry, heat pumps have hardly been used to date despite their high potential. The project uses specific examples to show how heat pumps can supply so far fossil-fuelled processes.

FinEERGo-Dom

Milestone in EU project for building refurbishment

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Logo des Projektes FinEERGo-Dom

Overview

The FinEERGo-Dom project has set itself the goal of revolutionizing building renovations across Europe. The task of the project was to adapt and implement the innovative model of the Latvian Building Energy Efficiency Facility (LABEEF) in five EU countries - Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria. The focus of the project was to facilitate comprehensive or "dEEp" renovations in the building sector by using an energy performance contracting model that guaranteed savings and utilized the capabilities of energy service companies (ESCOs).

Start-up - becoming climate neutral together

Support for charitable and benevolent associations

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Foto eines grünen Läuferteppichs mit dem Wort Start und den Startmarkierungen

Overview

The Austrian Energy Agency (AEA) is calling on non-profit and charitable organizations to apply for support in the implementation of climate protection projects as part of its new project "Starthilfe - Gemeinsam klimaneutral werden". On the road to climate neutrality by 2040, the Austrian Energy Agency will support civil society organizations every year in saving CO2 emissions themselves.

Our water creates a good climate

New study by the Austrian Energy Agency on investments in renewable energy supply by the municipal water sector.

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[Translate to English:] Wasser im Querschnitt fotographiert

Overview

There are many options for saving electrical and thermal energy and untapped potential for generating it in the Austrian housing sector. This report examines the implementation potential by 2027.