Industry plays a key role in the context of global greenhouse gas reduction. This challenge must be considered not only at the sector level but across sectors and through the interplay of many competencies and scientific disciplines, in order to achieve a profound transformation and decarbonization.

In the task "Barriers and Drivers for the Transformation of Industrial Energy, Technologies and Systems" and the current Subtask 2 "Knowledge, Innovation, Capability and Cooperation for Industrial Transformation – Analysis and Evaluation of Non-Technical Drivers and Barriers," the following objectives are pursued in close cooperation with initiatives such as the "Mission Innovation Net-Zero Industries Mission":

• Discussion, analysis & exchange on the necessity of technology-independent cross-cutting measures
• Deriving the relevance of organizing new approaches, promoting cooperation among different stakeholders & systems thinking
• Improving the economic & ecological performance of energy- and GHG-intensive industries

The following measures are intended to contribute to this:

• Intensive knowledge exchange through cooperation between actors from industry, research & policy
• Incorporation of experiences & approaches from industrial projects & scientific studies as well as interviews and a survey with industrial implementation projects in the context of industrial transformation
• Analysis of the planning, implementation & operational phases of industrial decarbonization projects

The Austrian consortium is involved in the international task, among other things, through the role of Operating Agent (Task and Subtask lead in cooperation with Linköping University). This constitutes a significant contribution to the organization and execution of the international work program.

Furthermore, the following content is being contributed to international Subtask 2:

• Analysis & preparation of (inter)national projects with Austrian research participation, including the identification of drivers, barriers, and solution approaches for implementing transformation in the industrial sector, e.g., for innovative demonstration plants, carbon capture & utilization, electrification & renewable gases, automation, and energy efficiency in (energy-intensive) industry
• Integration of the NEFI innovation cycle
• Analysis of global networks and initiatives for industrial transformation
• Identification of scientifically available methods that can support industrial companies in the transformation process beyond technical aspects, and comparison with approaches commonly used in industrial practice
• Design, preparation, execution, participation & follow-up of 3 workshops with representatives of institutions participating in the task

The results developed, in particular the results of the workshops, will be compiled and made easily accessible to participants and interested parties. In addition, the integration of the findings into NEFI formats such as the NEFI Technology Talks and the NEFI Conference is planned.

Australia, Austria (operating agent), Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden (co-lead), UK

Sophie Knöttner
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Wien
E-Mail: sophie.knoettner@ait.ac.at

Lukas Wechner
Lehrstuhl für Energieverbundtechnik, Montanuniversität Leoben
Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben
E-Mail: lukas.wechner@unileoben.ac.at

Hans Böhm
Energieinstitut, JKU Linz
Altenberger Straße 69 Hochschulfondsgebäude, 4040 Linz
E-Mail: boehm@energieinstitut-linz.at