Page 36 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2018 publication
P. 36
36 Winter 2018 European Energy Innovation
COMMUNICATION
Driving the technology
innovation agenda through
cooperation
Managing to stay competitive in a changing energy world
Upper Austria is a European leader in the clean energy construction, operation and maintenance – involves
transition. Greenhouse gas emissions in the buildings different actor groups and needs to be addressed. The OÖ
sector have been reduced by 43 % in 10 years through a Energiesparverband (ESV), the regional energy agency, is
combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy. a main driver of the innovation process. Key stakeholders
The regional government has been following a strategic include technology companies, research organisations,
and long-term vision in the face of the changing global public bodies and a community of "first movers" (private
energy world. Fostering cooperation among key market households, municipalities, businesses). A crucial element
actors along the entire value chain has resulted in a strong is a user-centred approach where energy users are
innovation ecosystem and the growth of a vibrant industry important actors for innovation creation.
that successfully exports worldwide.
MARKET PUSH AND PULL THROUGH REGULATORY AND
COMPETITIVENESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH FINANCIAL MEASURES
DECARBONISATION In Austria, building legislation and the implementation
The progress seen in Upper Austria is mainly attributed of the EPBD are regional. In Upper Austria, regional
to the clear vision pursued by the regional government legislation for buildings and heating and cooling systems
for over two decades. The ambition is to achieve are strategically used to drive innovation by regularly
competitiveness and quality of life through energy updating them towards higher efficiency and lower
decarbonisation. A strong focus is on energy and buildings, emissions.
but also on developing and maintaining leadership in
niche markets of energy and building products. The aim is Funding programmes that target the various steps of
to create and nurture an innovation ecosystem where this the innovation process are also strong tools. Different
innovation can grow. programmes support R&D, market introduction of new
technologies and their subsequent mass deployment. The
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM IN THE BUILDING SECTOR region has implemented market introduction programmes
Transforming the building sector requires an awareness for solar batteries, small-scale biomass CHP, large scale
of its entire value chain. Every step of the process – PV systems for self-consumption and several other energy
R&D, manufacturing of technologies, sales, planning and efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Christiane Egger – Deputy Manager OÖ Energiesparverband, Manager of the Cleantech-Cluster Energy
