Characterisation of material parameters as basis for innovative processing methods and products made of large dimensioned wood aiming at economically sustainable use of Austrian timber resources "XXL-Wood"

Facing the problem of decreasing demand for large dimensioned timber, investigations are carried out concerning certain properties like strength and fibre characteristics. Due to the data it is possible to create a model about the variability of special properties of a stem. Based on the model new concepts for optimised processing and products will be developed.

RepaMobil - Reduction of market barriers for product-service-systems, especially repair- and other household services by setting up central service points at big company sites where a lot of potential customers pass by

Feasibility study / implementation concept for central repair- and service points (mobile or stationary) for repair- and other household services located directly at big company sites; raising the demand for sustainable services by private households.

Use of thermal cooling technologies and optimal combination with other heat energy consumers to use during summer the available district heating based on renewable energy sources: example of the municipality of Mureck

Optimal use of heating energy from a biogas CHP in the municipality of Mureck through demand side measures; the multifunctional energy centre Mureck on the way towards thermal air-conditioning: Multi-Mukli

SmartQ+ Bruck/Leitha - Energy saving potentials through neighbourhood and community planning

First-time linking of transport and energy simulation models for municipal planning in order to visualise (energy) saving potentials in settlement development and effects of planning projects on mobility demand and the energy network of a municipality in an interactive visualisation.

openBAM - Open Building Automation Modelling - Open modeling of building automation over the entire building life cycle

Platform-independent modeling of control and regulation logic for detailed study of building automation systems involving construction and building technology. The result enables the analysis of energy saving potentials through building automation before construction.

IEA 4E PECTA Experts Workshop 2026

23. February 2026
Federal Ministry Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Vienna (Room RAD 6F13), Vienna, AT

This workshop brings together leading experts from research, industry, and policy to discuss the latest advances in power electronics. The program highlights progress in application readiness, reliability, and circular economy approaches, alongside key regulatory updates. It provides a platform to exchange knowledge, strengthen cooperation, and influences and shapes PECTA's future activities.

IEA EBC Annex 81: Data-Driven Smart Buildings

Digitalization has the potential to significantly reduce the costs of building operation. The Annex should improve access to low-cost, high-quality data from buildings and support the development of data-driven energy efficiency applications and analyses. This enables the optimization of building controls in real time and provides energy efficiency data and decision support for building managers.

IEA IETS Task 21: Decarbonizing industrial systems in a circular economy framework (working period 2022 - 2024)

Energy and CO2 savings through circular economy, especially directly through carbon circularity (CCU), and resource and energy efficiency through industrial symbiosis are two key approaches to decarbonizing industry.

IEA AFC: Technology Collaboration Programme on Advanced Fuel Cells

In the AFC TCP, both technology-oriented R&D activities (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, electrolysers) as well as analysis to implement fuel cells in commercial applications (stationary and mobile applications) are carried-out. System investigations and modelling complement the activities of this TCP.

IEA SHC Task 69: Solar Hot Water for 2030

Solar water heating will play a crucial role in the decarbonization of the energy system for 2030 and beyond. IEA SHC Task 69 focuses on two technologies which are likely to play the biggest role in the global solar hot water market: thermosyphon and photovoltaic (PV) hot water systems. For these technologies global market surveys, systems and component optimizations, cost reduction analyses and revision of standards are being conducted to accelerate growth in target markets.

Path to the Future (WEG zur Zukunft) - The Path to Implementing a Climate-Resilient Future in Condominium Ownership

The research project "WEG zur Zukunft / Path to the Future" examines the low renovation rates of condominium owners' associations (WEGs) in Austria and the associated communicative, regulatory, organizational, and financial challenges. In collaboration with the affected stakeholders – primarily owners and property management companies – foundations for solutions are being developed through a co-creative process that can assist in the path toward implementation.

Twin2Share - Digital twins for energy optimization in energy communities (ECs)

Digital twins to support energy communities over their life cycle. The project focuses on optimizing energy efficiency and costs, dynamic load management and the integration of users to promote sustainable energy use and the stabilization of the electricity grid.

ProzesSan - Development of processes to increase the decarbonisation and refurbishment rate in the housing sector

The project aims to assist owners of large property portfolios with the challenges of refurbishing their buildings. The first step is to identify the various obstacles and develop appropriate solutions. These will be tested in three workshop phases with the owners, and a workshop manual and guidelines will be developed.

Designing Synergies. Spatial and Energetic Transformation Scenarios for Small Towns and Municipalities Using the Example of the Wagram Region (Lower Austria).

An interdisciplinary exploratory project that synergistically analyses strategies for the activation of vacant buildings and the potential for the formation of small-scale energy communities. The starting point is student projects from the Institute of Architecture and Design, TU Wien, for four municipalities in the Wagram region. On this basis, an interdisciplinary team of experts is developing a concept for a synergy cluster focussing on spatial energy planning, building physics, the circular economy and social innovation.

crowd2raum - Participatory co-financing models for socially innovative and sustainable reactivation for vacancies

As part of the exploratory project "crowd2raum", existing funding and support programmes are being combined with existing crowdfunding mechanisms (imGrätzl.at/WeLocally.at platform) to create a co-financing model for vacancy activation. This will be developed and tested in practice through the activation of four vacant spaces in the base zone in the defined pilot areas in Vienna and Graz.

RaumCoop 2.0 - Space Cooperative, a systematic operational model for activating unused or underutilized spaces.

The RaumCoop organizes the sharing of spaces, mobilizes underutilized spaces for non-residential purposes in the ground floor area, and makes them available for temporary use at affordable conditions. The goal of the project is to establish this non-profit organization.

Kooperativ Ternitz - New cooperative models for a climate resilient settlement revitalization

Kooperativ Ternitz is developing innovative cooperation models for settlement development as a contribution to a climate-neutral city. These models are being implemented in the Dreiersiedlung with a focus on sustainable mobility, green and blue infrastructure, and the revitalization of the settlement center, the results are being made available to stakeholders.

Ternitz 2040

The municipality of Ternitz has been a Climate Alliance municipality since 1991, a member of the KEM Schwarzatal region since 2010/2011, an e5 municipality (with 4e) from 2011 to 2024, and was awarded the title "Energie.Vorbild.Gemeinde" in June 2023 within the LEADER region NÖ-Süd. Key focus areas include the expansion of photovoltaics, the promotion of walking, cycling, public transport and e-mobility, energy efficiency in the public sector, the use of synergies with local industry, and the implementation of energy-efficient residential building concepts.

User-Centred Energy Systems (UsersTCP)

The UsersTCP provides evidence from socio-technical research on the design, social acceptance and usability of clean energy technologies. Users play a central role within energy systems. The findings will support political decisions for a clean, efficient and safe energy system.

Working Party on Renewable Energy Technologies (REWP)

Central tasks of the Renewable Energy Working Party (REWP) are to support the IEA research programs, discuss current energy and technology policy issues among the IEA member states, advise the IEA Secretariat in Paris on issues related to R&D, technology and market introduction, and support the IEA in their outreach strategy.