Motivation and research question

In preparation for a real laboratory, the exploratory study examined various aspects and relevant issues in the direction of an energy transition based on renewable energy. In the present project, low-tech is understood as an optimized approach with regard to the "use of technology" on the one hand and the greatest possible use of existing potential in the environment, local resources and social innovations on the other. As part of the study, potentials for a "real laboratory 100% renewable energy" were explored from different sectors and disciplines. For this purpose, the areas of energy, construction, mobility and circular economy were brought together as central fields of action and sufficiency potentials as well as possibilities and potentials of a synergetic interaction of relevant factors were explored in selected model regions.

Initial situation/status quo

In order to achieve 100% renewable energy supply, it is necessary both to provide energy from renewable sources and to reduce consumption on the demand side. It will therefore not only be necessary to reduce demand through efficiency or sufficiency measures, but also to provide (renewable) energy at the local level. In addition, due to the volatility of renewable energy sources, measures in the area of energy flexibility, intermediate storage, DSM, maximizing self-consumption, and sector coupling must also be taken into account.

Project content and objectives

With the aim of demonstrating scalable and multipliable prototypical model solutions for 100% renewable energy (and more), the broad involvement of different sectors (energy system, transport, industry and commerce, agriculture) is mandatory on the one hand, but the participatory involvement of citizens is just as important: inside and consideration of regional drivers of innovations and value chains. Strategic actor constellations as well as municipal and civil society commitment are the supporting pillars of the integrated energy system to be developed, in addition to sectoral coupling between energy systems transport, industry, commerce and agriculture as well as geographic, microclimatic and local resources. Furthermore, the formation of system cycles and the use of possible supply and disposal cycles with buildings in the network or other sectors is a decisive factor. In addition, understandable low-tech solutions are required in which citizens can actively contribute and participate. The content of the project was therefore to examine fundamental issues and aspects of low-tech model solutions and to prepare their successful implementation in concrete pilot regions. The transformation to a region supplied with 100% renewable energy should be presented in an overall concept.

Methodical approach

In order to map concrete framework conditions as a basis for the model solutions to be developed, three model regions with different conditions in terms of geographic and climatic location, economic structure and trade, mobility and transport infrastructure and potential for energy supply were initially selected for the preliminary study:

• Lower Austria / Weinviertel: Hollabrunn / Retzer Land, dry climate, potential for solar energy
• Upper Austria / Steyr region, Traunviertel: Ennstal-Steyr, (humid) alpine climate, developed infrastructure for hydroelectric power
• Burgenland: Bruck an der Leitha / Gols, Pannonian climate, developed infrastructure (potential) for wind energy

The model regions were subjected to a comprehensive inventory analysis (energy and stakeholder background) and based on this, packages of measures to achieve the goals were defined with special consideration of low-tech and sufficiency solutions. In addition, action-guiding low-tech aspects (= local, active, useful, fair, transparent, responsible) were defined on a scientific-theoretical basis and concrete innovation goals were derived.

Results and conclusions

The results of the exploratory study show a cross-sectoral overview of specific challenges, potentials and solutions implemented so far in the three target regions. This also includes knowledge about projects that are already planned or are already considered to be expedient by the local stakeholders and to which a real laboratory and pilot projects could be directly linked. On the one hand, the spatial and energy grid-related conditions as well as the potential for energy production in the model regions could be surveyed, on the other hand, people, organizations and institutions were involved at the stakeholder level and cooperation was strengthened. Some important aspects and conclusions:

• For the successful initiation and implementation of such projects, it is necessary to involve those involved as early as possible in order to achieve the highest possible level of acceptance and to be able to operate efficiently beyond the initial phase. Projects often do not fail directly during implementation, but only during the term.
• In order to be able to adequately address the community-specific challenges and potentials, it is necessary to clarify exactly how "100% supply with renewable energies" is to be understood. The implicit goal of an autonomous supply with 100% renewable energy can obviously only be met by a part of the Austrian municipalities, namely by those that are characterized by lower energy demand densities and/or a particularly high supply potential, for example from wind or hydropower. Even if it is not (yet) strictly necessary, it seems sensible to take a more differentiated look at the target value of the energy balance of a "100% renewable municipality" and also to consider approaches for the allocation of effort sharing.
• The presentation of objective ecological assessments can be a helpful tool for decision-makers: inside for or against planned measures in the construction sector. In most cases, the choice of construction and materials depends on the available financial resources, factors other than monetary factors currently play a subordinate role. For this reason, comparisons and comparisons of the environmentally relevant effects of measures taken in the construction sector are essential. The representation of the influence of transport routes, energy use in the production of building materials and their recycling at the end of the useful life on the environmental impact emphasizes the relevance of low-tech measures in the construction sector and is easy to understand.
• The exploratory study provides an overview of existing biogenic residues, where they occur, and rough estimates of availability, quantities and currently implemented recycling or disposal methods, with the integration of stakeholder knowledge, prioritization, as well as willingness and leverage for the implementation of the identified model solutions. Overall, there is large underutilized resource potential for energy production from residues as well as material use and their combination. The realization of this potential requires the use of innovative processes, partnerships and business models. The exploratory study identified local and regional responsibilities and possible partners for implementation, which are essential for the successful further development of implementation projects.
• Other interdisciplinary issues, such as the sensible link between mobility and the circular economy, should be supplemented by a region-based low-tech approach. In particular on the subject of resource conservation in the transport sector and the theoretical embedding of the low-tech approach, such as the evaluation of low-tech measures using certain indicators (land consumption, CO2 emissions, energy requirements, etc.) and low-tech criteria, or at the determination of existing conflicting goals at a higher level and at project level between the individual sectors (buildings, spatial planning, circular economy, etc.) there is a need for further processing.

Outlook

In the exploratory study, the term "low-tech" was operationalized on a scientific-theoretical basis and concrete low-tech principles and examples were developed. Low-tech is defined as an innovation goal of equal importance alongside sustainability, 100% renewable energy, circular economy. Low-tech as an important lever for a sustainable way of life and society means acting locally, actively, usefully, fairly, transparently and responsibly. This framework for action is intended as a basis for further processing (evaluation and validation of measures) within the framework of a real laboratory.

The results from the individual work packages were summarized in a separate publication, the "LOW-TECH Innovation-Lab TOOLKIT". In this, action-guiding principles and innovation goals are presented as well as concrete measures and solutions at a low-threshold implementation level for committed and interested people. The toolkit is divided into an introductory part and concrete instructions for action on the topics: energy, construction, mobility, circular economy and nature-based solutions. As a continuation (as part of the implementation of a real laboratory), it is planned to continuously supplement the chapter "Instructions for action" with further ideas from civil society and model solutions developed in the real laboratory.

Project management

DI Dr. Edeltraud Haselsteiner, URBANITY

Project or cooperation partners

• Fachhochschule Technikum Wien
• IBO - Österreichisches Institut für Baubiologie und -ökologie
• alchemia-nova research & innovation gemeinnützige GmbH
• Technische Universität Wien Institut für Verkehrswissenschaften
• EVN AG

DI Dr. Edeltraud Haselsteiner
Märzstrasse 158/20
A-1140 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (699) 126 980 82
E-mail: edeltraud.haselsteiner@aon.at
Web: www.urbanity.at