VERBUND energy2050: Off to the energy future!

Under the heading "Off to the energy future! Using the opportunities offered by trends, innovations and changes for the benefit of society, climate protection and the economy", energy2050 is offering debates, intense discussions and practice-oriented lectures by experienced experts to help identify paths to the new energy system of the future.

Mobility and heating revolutions still lie ahead of us

"The turning point for energy lies behind us", states VERBUND CEO Wolfgang Anzengruber. "We are already irreversibly on the way to the clean, renewable energy future." Regarding the electricity revolution, Austria in particular has achieved a great deal: According to the roadmap prepared by Österreichs Energie, the proportion of renewable sources for electricity generation can reach 85% in Austria in 2030. Anzengruber: "Our task now is to vigorously tackle the mobility and heating revolutions!" Electromobility in particular can and will make an essential contribution: "The future of mobility lies in the interlinking of non-motorised mobility, public transportation, alternative drive systems, and the increased usage of renewable energy sources in the traffic sector."

Cooperation and innovation

"Broad cooperation between the individual system participants – businesses, customers, start-ups, research institutions etc. – is the basis for the energy future", Anzengruber is convinced. As part of energy2050, partnerships with the large industrial and energy companies SIEMENS, OMV and voestalpine with a focus on green hydrogen and electromobility are being presented and the winners of the VERBUND Innovation Challenge chosen.

Siemens has pooled many technologies in Austria that make electricity grids fit for the future. "Technology and innovations are the key to the reliable, clean and affordable power supply of tomorrow", explains Wolfgang Hesoun, CEO of Siemens Austria. "As a small country, we have the clear advantage of being able to instal and test intelligent technologies sooner. With power grids, too, we can become an international role model – as we have already succeeded in doing, for example with the research activity connected with Seestadt Aspern."

In Europe's largest SmartCity project, Seestadt Aspern, Siemens Austria is conducting research on optimising energy systems under real conditions. "We are developing a classic power grid into a Smart Grid", states Wolfgang Hesoun. "The results of our efforts bring clear advantages for grid operators and customers: reliable, efficient and flexible electricity grids."

Energy policy framework

The rising proportion of weather-dependent renewable energy sources in the generation mix is increasing the challenges for supply reliability. Grid management is becoming more complex, the flexibility of the system more important, and the need for guaranteed capacity is rising. Strengthening the grid infrastructure and a specific energy storage strategy should be cornerstones of a new Austrian energy strategy in a European context.

Among the speakers at energy2050:

• Jost Ahrens, Senior Vice President Corporate Strategy, OMV AG
• Dirk Arnold, Head of Product Management BMWi and E-Mobility, BMW Group, Germany
• Cornelia Daniel, Dachgold E.U., Austria
• Dr. Christoph Frei, Secretary General, World Energy Council, Great Britain
• Daniel Hammerl, Tesla Motors Austria
• Dipl. Ing. Dr. Sabine Herlitschka, MBA, Chairman of the Board and CTO, Infineon Technologie Austria AG
• Dr. Wolfgang Hribernik, Head of Business Unit Electric Energy Systems, AIT
• Karin Kadenbach, MEP, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats,European Parliament
• Dipl. Ing. Dr. mont. Franz Kainersdorfer, Managing Director voestalpine Metal Engineering GmbH & Co. KG, Austria
• Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, EURELECTRIC
• Prof. Dr. Ing. Armin Schnettler, Head of Research in Energy and Electronics, SIEMENS AG
• Dipl. Ing. Wolfgang Semper, Executive for Hydro and Automation, Andritz AG, Österreich
• Ramon Vullings, cross industry innovation expert, Netherlands