Matthias Zawichowski

Country: Austria

Nominated by: Herbert Greisberger (CEO, Energy and Environment Agency of the State of Lower Austria)

Summary of Nominee’s Contributions

Matthias Zawichowski has received several national awards, including the VCÖ Preis 2021, KEM Manager des Jahres 2022, Nachhaltiger Gestalter Österreichs 2022, and the Österreichischer Solarpreis 2024 from Eurosolar. He has always been an innovator, earning the Eurosolar Prize for developing a bi-directional charging pilot system and the VCÖ Prize 2021 for networking car-sharing companies across Austria, allowing customers to use e-cars across different providers. A strong advocate for energy communities, he informed around 2,000 people on the topic in January 2025 alone.

Creativity and strategic vision:

Zawichowski is well-connected in Lower Austria, enabling him to mobilise and unite people around renewable energy projects. Leading a 14-person multidisciplinary team, he draws on diverse expertise to develop new creative solutions. His long-standing belief in renewable energy, dating back to his studies in the mid-1990s, led him to early investments in the sector, shaping his professional network and vision.

His background in spatial, energy, transportation, and resource planning ensures a holistic approach to mobility and energy. With an optimistic and solution-oriented mindset, he remains committed to advancing renewable energy systems.

Impact

Zawichowski has initiated 36 Energy Communities in Lower Austria and manages the Climate and Energy Model Regions Elsbeere Wienerwald. He also oversees 35 active car-sharing companies and has co-founded four businesses employing 14 people. His company has invested millions of euros in PV plants and electric vehicles for car sharing, setting a pioneering example that has inspired 15 other car-sharing companies to follow his model.

All Austrian car-sharing companies now cooperate within a shared network, thanks to his early bird approach to ideas and initiatives. His awareness-raising efforts and mentoring have helped shape the next generation of regional energy managers, who value his expertise and guidance.

Leadership

Zawichowski’s passion for technology and innovation drives his success. His openness to new ideas has led to rapid implementation of renewable energy solutions, making e-mobility accessible through car-sharing networks.

His work has now expanded to bi-directional charging, allowing e-cars to function as batteries, integrating them into energy communities. By proactively developing research projects, he attracts key research partners, securing funding to turn concepts into reality. What started with basic PV projects has now evolved into advanced energy-sharing solutions, reinforcing his commitment to sustainable mobility and energy transition.