In Vienna, the innovation network “NEFI - New Energy for Industry” presented its new and unique innovation laboratory NEFI+, which will specifically drive technological development towards a climate-neutral transformation of industry in Austria. In close cooperation with over 120 partners, NEFI has been setting new standards in this area over the past five years. Motivated by the results achieved so far, NEFI+ is now starting out with six innovation hubs and acts as a catalyst in the development of projects contributing to the transformation of industry as part of the RTI initiative “Transformation of Industry.”
Close collaboration between industry and research over the past five years has produced key results for further technological development. “The new NEFI+ innovation lab is now acting as a catalyst to launch the projects and technologies for a climate-neutral industry in Austria,” says Austria’s Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler. “We will be investing over three billion euros from the Climate Protection Ministry for the transformation of our industry by 2030. With this reliable funding, we are creating investment and planning security for companies, both for innovative projects as part of the Climate and Energy Fund's RTI initiative for the transformation of industry, as well as specific implementation projects with the 'Transformation of Industry' program under the Environmental Funding Act. This secures our competitiveness, ensures our independence from Russian natural gas and protect our climate.
The importance of the innovation laboratory for Austria’s strong industrial federal provinces is emphasized by Markus Achleitner, Upper Austria’s Regional Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy: “The transformation of the energy system poses a major challenge for manufacturing and energy-intensive industries. At the same time, there is a great opportunity for technology providers to expand their market position worldwide. Technological innovations in Upper Austria can make a significant contribution to securing our region as an industrial location. With NEFI+, we are supporting the development of energy technologies which contribute to climate protection and sustainability and increase the competitiveness of the Upper Austrian economy.”
Styria is also relying on the innovation potential of NEFI+. “Styria is not only a strong industrial region but also an outstanding research location. Our high level of expertise in the field of green technologies will be of particular benefit to us in the decarbonisation of industry. After all, climate protection and economic success can and should go hand in hand. Through strong partnerships within the framework of NEFI, we will be able to achieve this,” said Styria’s Regional Minister of Economic Affairs, Barbara Eibinger-Miedl.
“Achieving climate neutrality and thus the energy transition is a mammoth task which requires everyone to pull together. Industry serves as a key partner here because it has enormous potential to accelerate the transformation,” said Ursula Lackner, Styria’s Regional Minister for Climate Protection and Energy. “This is clearly illustrated by the example of voestalpine. “When its two electric arc furnaces are put into operation, this will reduce Austria-wide carbon emissions by five percent. We can achieve such innovations through the targeted development of technicallyrelevant technologies for climate-neutral production. The province of Styria is supporting NEFI+ in order to further strengthen this innovative power and secure competitiveness and sustainable jobs in our region.”
“With our RTI initiative for the transformation of industry, we are helping industry to transition to renewable energy sources and to cope with the high costs of converting its production processes. We want to show that climate-neutral production in Austria is technically and economically feasible and prepare for widespread implementation on the market through specific projects,” says Bernd Vogl, Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund.
NEFI+ Innovation Lab with six innovation hubs
“Through the NEFI scenarios for a climate-neutral industry, we have demonstrated the basis outlining concrete paths for the transformation of the industrial energy system. Now we need to seize the opportunity to close any technological gaps and show what industry can actually implement and test. Specifically, we will further develop these scenarios across six innovation hubs in the NEFI+ Innovation Lab, identify innovative solutions and carry out a comprehensive impact assessment to evaluate the actual effects,” says Thomas Kienberger, Head of the NEFI+ Innovation Lab and Head of the Chair of Energy Network Technology at Montanuniversität Leoben.
The NEFI+ Innovation Lab is a specialist network which connects all of the key players and focuses on the relevant technology paths for a climate-neutral future with six innovation hubs. “The topics are electrification & energy efficiency, flexibilisation, carbon-neutral gases and hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, the circular economy and industrial symbiosis. Each hub is led by two respected Austrian research institutions which are undertaking significant and practical research and demonstration projects together with industrial partners. Initial structures for the development of the hubs have already been established. Interested partners from industry and research are now invited to contribute project ideas to the development of high-quality research and innovation projects within the framework of NEFI+. The innovation network expects this to provide an enormous boost to innovation for the transformation of industry and this collaboration will enable synergies to be realised and innovative solutions to be implemented efficiently.
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