Leading the Industrial Energy Transition in Upper Austria

In Upper Austria, the Regional Energy Agency OÖ Energiesparverband (ESV) is actively driving the industrial energy transition by offering comprehensive support. Activities range from R&D projects to information, awareness raising, networking, training and practical implementation support. The agency also works with the regional and national governments on policy development and funding programmes.

Working with industry is key for ESV: in Upper Austria, the manufacturing sector is responsible for 44 % of the region’s total energy consumption, making its decarbonisation crucial for the success of the overall energy transition.

Over the years, the agency has built up a large network of industrial actors, including major manufacturing companies. It maintains regular contact with these businesses to exchange on their challenges, needs and successes. For the energy agency, this is crucial for developing novel and valuable services.

Highlighted initiatives by ESV for the industrial sector:

ESV is one of the four organisations leading the Austrian innovation network for the decarbonisation of industry “NEFI – New Energy for Industry”. Within this programme, large-scale research and demonstration projects in industry are developed and implemented. In recent years, over 100 million euros were invested in NEFI projects. One of these projects is a climate-neutral brick factory.

The energy agency offers training courses targeted for industry in its Energy Academy. Course topics include renewable process heat, CSRD/ESG reporting, large-scale energy storage or hydrogen. Further courses are developed as new needs and technologies emerge.

ESV’s “Industrial Energy Transition Leaders” initiative brings together 15 truly forerunner manufacturing companies in the energy transition. They co-create to provide practical, real-life approaches for achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible. This knowledge sharing between leaders is very valuable as they are able to discuss at the same, advanced level. For ESV, these debates are highly useful – what the pioneers discuss today will be challenges and solutions for many companies tomorrow.

Several of these companies have succeeded in achieving fossil-free industrial production sites, e.g. for injection moulding, power electronics and building components. Other recent innovations include industrial heat pumps, large-scale seasonal storage, innovative uses of bioenergy, and advanced levels of energy efficiency. Some companies are well on their way to fully electric fleets including electric trucks.

The most recent service is ESV’s online “Climate Balance” tool to help companies in starting their CSRD reporting. Financed by the region, this free software (fed by over a thousand databases) allows companies to generate a comprehensive overview of total GHG emissions from their energy use, their processes and their products – Scopes 1 to 3 – with a limited amount of input data. It enables businesses to identify their key CO₂ emitters and take targeted action towards climate neutrality. Over 400 companies have used this tool so far. ESG reporting is also supported by extensive training and advice activities by ESV.

In Upper Austria, as in many other European regions, the industrial sector is responsible for a large share of the total energy consumption. ESV shows how energy agencies can play an important role in driving decarbonisation in this sector.  As a result, climate neutrality can be achieved – together with increased competitiveness and quality of life!

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!