Responsible advocacy of interests and VERBUND positions

With the event series entitled "Energy Breakfast – A Dialog with VERBUND", VERBUND aims to draw attention to energy and climate policy-relevant topics, to discuss these and actively participate in formulating possible solutions for energy policy challenges. In addition to a "Keynote Speech" (e.g. the presentation of a new study), each event also offers a discussion with high-ranking panellists from politics and the economy as well as energy experts, and includes audience involvement.

"Power Facts" stand for the transfer of knowledge to decision-makers in politics, administration and the economy. This VERBUND medium is sent out three times a year to our stakeholders in Austria, Germany (with a focus on Bavaria) and the EU institutions.
In the "Power Facts" we address current energy policy issues. In a brief format, the challenges facing the energy and electricity sector are presented and our views are conveyed. In addition, there are also facts on VERBUND and information on upcoming events.

Power Facts February 2017 (German only)

Power Facts July 2017 (German only)

Power Facts December 2017 (German only)

Power Facts November 2018 (German only)

VERBUND is offering an interactive event format in the form of an ideas workshop, where suggestions for solutions to concrete energy policy questions are developed. The participants are, for example, selected students from the ideas workshop on the future of energy in November 2014 in Munich and are occupied with current challenges and making their solutions visible and tangible. They are supported by experts from the energy industry. With this format we are attempting to generate innovative ideas for the future of energy and find answers to current questions.
In November 2014, VERBUND, together with the Bavarian Ministry of Finance, the Technical University of Vienna and Advantage Austria organised the ideas workshop for the future of energy to together "guarantee the security of supply". In the process, answers to the central question of "how can Bavaria and Austria together guarantee the security of supply in the new era?" as well as other questions were explored. The results were presented as part of the Energy Congress Bavaria-Austria on 1 December 2014 in Munich and are available in the form of short films.
The main film provides insight into the methods used by the ideas workshop and shows interviews with experts from Austria and Bavaria, who assist the students during their brainstorming as well as while they test their prototypes. The individual presentation of ideas shows the summary of the solution suggestions developed by the students.

We are consistently striving to foster an open dialogue with environmental organisations such as Greenpeace, Global 2000, WWF and Climate Alliance. Chairman of the Board Wolfgang Anzengruber regularly invites representatives from the biggest environmental organisations to a round table discussion. Here, current topics are discussed, shared interests are explored and further initiatives are agreed on.

For example, a collaborative energy policy position paper was thus developed prior to the parliamentary elections in 2013, and a study project on e-mobility based 100% on electricity from renewable energy sources was carried out.

> Study on e-mobility (: ATKEARNEY and TU Vienna)

> Presentation on the study

At the end of 2016, the EU Commission passed a comprehensive legislative package entitled "Clean Energy for all Europeans" (CEP). This package is setting the energy policy course until 2030. The package includes new legislative acts, amendments to existing directives and ordinances, and diverse non-legislative policy communications. For VERBUND the package is of central importance, since it sets the future legal framework for the business activities of energy producers.

VERBUND position: Clean Energy Package

Some time ago, the federal government commissioned the preparation of an integrated Austrian energy and climate strategy. The paper is being formulated under the joint responsibility of the BMWFW (Federal Ministry for Science, Research and Economy) and the BMLFUW (Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management), with input from BMASK, BMVIT, BMF and BKA (Federal Ministries for Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection; Transport, Innovation and Technology; Finance; and the Federal Chancellery). Following publication of a preliminary report in the early summer of 2016, a large-scale stakeholder consultation was initiated. On the basis of the consultation results, an authoritative paper is now being worked out with the energy and climate policy specifications until 2030.

VERBUND position: Energy policy framework

VERBUND is supporting ambitious climate protection goals on a global, European and national level, and is standing up for effective CO₂ instruments. With its almost 100% CO₂-free electricity generation portfolio and other climate protection activities, VERBUND is one of the sector leaders on the market.

VERBUND position: Climate protection

The traffic sector is responsible for 28% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Austria, and is mainly dependent on natural gas imports. A growing proportion of electrically driven cars on Austria's roads can counteract this and at the same time provide economic impulses.

VERBUND position: Electromobility

Hydropower is the most significant renewable and CO₂-free energy source in Austria, and plays a key role in electricity generation. About 65% of the domestic electricity generation comes from hydropower – an essential contribution to climate protection. But hydropower is facing great challenges. It is imperative to strengthen its competitiveness in order to fully utilise its potential for the energy revolution.

VERBUND position: Hydropower

The degree of digitalisation of all areas of life is increasing rapidly. The energy sector is no exception. In order to keep pace with ongoing development, strategies and standards are vital for the energy sector.

VERBUND position: Digitalisation

The massive and continuing expansion of new renewable generation (particularly wind and solar) is placing higher demands on system management, because the electricity feed into the grid always has to be in balance with the draw from it. Here, often not just the respective generated amount is a problem, but also the distance between generation and consumption. It will be necessary to greatly expand the storage capacities, on the one hand for providing flexibility for stabilising the grid, but on the other hand also to avoid excessive curtailment of usually government sponsored green electricity facilities, for optimising grid expansion, and as a back-up for generation during low-wind and low-sunlight phases. Energy storage facilities are also essential for coupling various sectors in terms of integrated energy provision.

VERBUND position: Storage

Sector coupling or sectoral integration are terms for cross-linking various sectors of the energy industry with the goal of reducing CO₂ emissions as much as possible and increasing energy efficiency by means of electrification on the basis of renewable energy sources. Electricity and heat supply, traffic and industrial processes should be viewed in conjunction and as a result mutually complement one another. A holistic approach is appropriate and necessary here, calling for collaboration beyond the boundaries of individual sectors.

VERBUND position: Sector coupling

As part of innovation and research projects, VERBUND is working on the production of green hydrogen, which can subsequently be used as a raw material for industry and also as a fuel for mobility or as a storage medium for electricity from renewable energy sources. In this way, surplus electricity from renewable energy sources, e.g. volatile wind energy, can be stored or used in industry: a perfect example of coupling sectors, which will be crucial for decarbonising the energy sector, industry and transport.

VERBUND position: Hydrogen

During the coming legislative period, important energy policy decisions need to be made and the course set. These decisions are of central importance to Austria as a location, and should therefore be underpinned by broad acceptance. With this statement of position, VERBUND hopes to contribute impetus for setting the agenda.

VERBUND position: Energy future 2017-2022

VERBUND’s position on sustainable finance (German only)

Hydropower makes a significant contribution to Europe's economy, to the reliability of the electricity supply and to climate protection. This is shown very clearly by the study "The hydropower sector's contribution to a sustainable and prosperous Europe". The study presents new data and facts on the economic value of hydropower for Europe as a whole.
A consortium of 21 leading hydropower companies and associations in Europe, headed and coordinated by VERBUND, commissioned the internationally renowned consulting firm DNV GL to conduct the study. The participating companies represent about 95% of the hydropower output in Europe (EU 28, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey). EURELECTRIC and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) were involved in the project as cooperation partners.

• Short brochure
• Presentation of results
• Executive Summary
• Main Report
• Policy Report

To get electromobility off the ground, the main requirement is electricity. If this is drawn from renewable energy sources, then electromobility should significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. But how great are the reductions, and what other ecological effects are there? Which economic effects are possible? Is 100% electricity from renewable energy sources for e-mobility economically feasible? What are the determining factors for this? These questions were investigated in the study "100% electricity from renewable energy sources for e-mobility", which was conducted on behalf of VERBUND by A.T. Kearney and the TU Vienna.


> Results

> Study report