Reallabor Weiz^plus - Reallabor climate-neutral region Weiz^plus

Starting point / motivation

In the exploratory study, the relevant questions for the potential establishment of a real lab in the Weiz^plus region, which aims at a 100% supply of the region with renewable energies by 2030, are to be clarified with the involvement of the regional innovation ecosystem: 

• spatial boundaries,
• actors,
• roles and structural set-up,
• services of the real lab,
• possibilities of real-life tests,
• typical regional model solution,
• knowledge transfer,
• access,
• financing,
• key technologies on prototype and system level,
• legal freedoms, etc.

Contents and goals

The future real lab will focus on all energy-relevant sectors (heating, electricity, cooling) applied to the focal points energy efficiency and replacement of fossil energy in buildings, industry and mobility.

The content-related technological focus of the activities of the future real lab is on all energy-relevant sectors (heating, electricity, cooling) applied to the focal points of energy efficiency and replacement of fossil energy in buildings, commerce and industry as well as mobility - viewed integratively with the cross-sectional topics of "sector coupling", "spatial energy planning" and "agricultural and forestry energy production".

Methods

Technological innovations (system solutions) for companies are investigated and tested to increase their contribution to the energy transition and the share of renewable energy. Companies can reduce their energy consumption, demonstrate future process and storage technologies, but also test new energy supply technologies and energy carriers (e.g. NH3 as an energy carrier, torrefaction of low-grade biomass). Lighthouse projects, methods and results are prepared and made visible so that an optimal transferability and exemplary effect results.

The aspect of joint and local financing of innovation and investment projects is addressed overridingly and explicitly as a key success factor for faster implementation of lighthouse projects of the energy transition. Through innovative third-party financing and capital raising models (citizen participation, crowd financing and bonds), (regionally) available resources and funds are to be used for the region and investment flows are to be directed towards regional energy systems, as well as regional jobs created through the energy transition.

By using and promoting domestic technology and solution providers, value creation and profits remain in the region. For this purpose, a prioritization of technologies is necessary within the energy system framework, which also allows an outlook on potentials in a changed price system (e.g. through CO₂ pricing). Additional financing via local CO₂ compensation possibilities must be developed.

The industrial and commercial enterprises of the Weiz region are made aware of their multiple importance for the 100% target. They do not only supply innovative technologies, but are also the location of generation plants, energy storage facilities and reduce final energy consumption through energy efficiency measures.

Expected results

The real lab promotes the opening of innovation processes and thus a better networking of the actors on different levels of action, a stronger integration of the end-users and consumers as well as co-creative processes for the development, testing and faster implementation of solutions. At the end of the exploratory project, a service catalogue and an overall concept for the implementation phase of the Reallabor Weiz^plus will be available.

Project management

StadtLABOR Innovationen für urbane Lebensqualität GmbH, Mag. Barbara hammerl

Project or cooperation partners

• AEE Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien
• REENAG Holding GmbH
• Green Tech Cluster
• Energieagentur Steiermark GmbH

StadtLABOR Innovationen für urbane Lebensqualität GmbH
Griesgasse 40
A-8020 Graz
Tel.: +43 (316) 22 89 46
E-mail: office@stadtlaborgraz.at
Web: www.stadtlaborgraz.at