In Vienna today, the innovation network “NEFI – New Energie for Industry” presented its new and unique innovation laboratory NEFI+, which will specifically drive technological development towards the climate-neutral transformation of industry in Austria. In close cooperation with over 120 partners, NEFI has set new standards in this area over the past five years. Motivated by the results achieved so far, NEFI+ is now starting with six innovation hubs and is acting as a catalyst for the development of projects that contribute to the transformation of industry as part of the RTI initiative “Transformation of Industry”.
Over the past five years, the close cooperation between industry and research has produced key results for further technological developments. “The new NEFI+ innovation lab is now acting as a catalyst to get the projects and technologies for a climate-neutral industry in Austria off the ground,” says Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler. “We are providing 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 as part of the Environmental Funding Act. This secures our competitiveness, makes us independent of Russian natural gas and protects our climate!”
Markus Achleitner, Provincial Councillor for Economic Affairs and Energy for Upper Austria, underlines the importance of the innovation laboratory for the industrially strong federal states: “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. Upper Austrian technological innovations can make a significant contribution to securing the industrial location. With NEFI+, we are therefore accompanying and supporting the development of energy technologies that contribute to climate protection and sustainability and increase the competitiveness of the Upper Austrian economy.”
Styria also relies on the innovation potential of NEFI+. “Styria is not only a strong industrial state, but also an outstanding research state. Our high level of expertise in the field of green technologies will be of particular benefit to us in the decarbonization of industry. After all, climate protection and economic success can and should go hand in hand. With strong partnerships within the framework of NEFI, we will also be able to achieve this,” said Styrian Minister of Economic Affairs Barbara Eibinger-Miedl.
NEFI+ innovation lab with six innovation hubs
“With the NEFI scenarios for a climate-neutral industry, we have demonstrated the basis with concrete paths for the transformation of the industrial energy system. Now we need to seize the opportunity to close the technological gaps and show what industry can actually implement and test. Specifically, we will further develop these scenarios in six innovation hubs in the NEFI+ innovation lab, identify innovative solutions and carry out a comprehensive impact assessment to evaluate the actual effect,” 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 specialized network that connects all key players and focuses on the relevant technology paths for a climate-neutral energy system with six innovation hubs. The topics are electrification & energy efficiency, flexibilization, CO2 -neutral gases and hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, circular economy and industrial symbiosis. Each hub is led by two renowned Austrian research institutions, which develop significant and practical research and demonstration projects together with industry partners. Initial structures for the development of the hubs have already been established and interested partners from industry and research are 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 innovation boost for the transformation of the industry, and this collaboration will enable synergies to be exploited and innovative solutions to be implemented efficiently.
Query note:
Margit Özelt
Marketing and Communication
NEFI – New Energy for Industry
T +43 (0) 664 88390660
E: margit.oezelt@ait.ac.at I www.nefi.at/en
