At the end of 2023, the kickoff meetings for two research projects involving Hydro GmbH took place.

Fossilfree4Industry

The eastern Styrian region of WEIZplus comprises 41 municipalities with a total population of 120,000 and approximately 5,000 commercial and industrial enterprises. The region’s energy consumption amounts to approximately 3.9 TWh, with 35% currently sourced from renewable energy.

To further accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels for process and space heating, the flagship project “Fossilfree4Industry” was launched. Within the WEIZplus living lab, alongside other renewable resources, geothermal energy is set to play a significant role. Hydro GmbH, as a subcontractor of Geo5 GmbH, focuses on assessing the potential of mid to deep geothermal energy in the Gleisdorf area. In Gleisdorf and its surroundings, the pre-Neogene basin substrate (bedrock beneath the sediments of the Styrian Basin) is partly carbonate, which is known to contain thermal water.

The project duration is 4 years (until October 31, 2027).

Cells4energy

Regional Energy Cells as Multi-Energy Living Laboratories for a Rapid System Transition

A fundamental prerequisite for a successful energy transition is a resilient electrical grid infrastructure capable of managing the complexities posed by diverse renewable energy sources and consumer patterns. To meet this demand, storage technologies and other flexible options surpassing the current grid’s capabilities are imperative. Thus, a fundamental shift in energy supply is essential: decentralized energy generation, bidirectional equilibrium between production and demand, and comprehensive sector integration superseding sectoral segregation are the objectives.

The “Cells4Energy” project focuses on the creation of energy cells as a solution approach.

An energy cell represents a regional, multi-sectoral energy system equipped with internal renewable generation, adaptable loads, and import-export functionality. A central virtual power plant controls the sector-coupled energy management. The individual energy cells are thus a central building block of a 100% renewable energy system. The flagship initiative aims to deploy up to six energy cells in Burgenland and eastern Styria (Energy Cell living labs). Additionally, a sub-project will explore the integration of geothermal energy into the Stegersbach district heating network.

Hydro GmbH contributes its expertise in geology, hydrogeology, and geothermal energy to investigate local subsurface conditions for potential geothermal use, both near-surface and deep.

The project is scheduled to run until October 31, 2027.