Graz celebrates environmental prices: Innovative projects for a green future!

Graz celebrates environmental prices: Innovative projects for a green future!

On June 6, 2025, the energy, environmental and climate prices were awarded in the auditorium of the old university of Graz, which this year went to projects from Graz and the surrounding area three times. As the Kleine Zeitung , a total of 18 innovative projects were awarded in different categories, which are awarded the urgent subjects of energy efficiency and sustainability deal with.

The event was supported by prominent personalities, including the state councilors Simone Schmiedtbauer and Claudia Holzer, as well as Werner Ressi, board member of Energie Steiermark AG, and Reinhard Hofer, managing director of the Styria Transport Association. Such awards are an important sign of the region's commitment in terms of environmental and climate protection.

Excellent projects

In the youth and education category, the “Energy Park municipality Lieboch” project received the price. Students of the HTL Bulme Graz-Gösting, Johannes Windisch and Paul Wulz, developed an energy pavilion that, with a 2.5 kWP photovoltaic system , a 5.1 kWh storage and an e-bike charging station. In addition, an information screen provides information about the energy balance and the 17 UN sustainability goals.

In the mobility section, the Graz architecture firm Now scored with the new bus station in Premstätten . The bus station is barrier -free, offers weather protection, a 115 kwp photovoltaic system on the roof and uses rainwater for irrigation.

In research, the innovators of emerald Horizon with their high-temperature liquid salt memory Calstore, which is designed for the storage of excess renewable energy. The system should be ready for series production from 2026.

positive developments in the energy sector

In view of the current energy world, the Energy Styria Good news for households. After the electricity price brake expired on December 31, 2024, which provided funding for over 6,000 kilowatt hours, household small companies and farmers continue to support until June 30, 2025. Therefore, it is more important than ever to keep an eye on the partial payment amount to avoid additional payments.

The Austrian federal government pursues the goal of becoming climate -neutral by 2040. This requires an increased expansion of renewable energy sources and an improvement in energy efficiency. According to the annual report "Energy in Austria" , it is shown that the dependency on fossil fuels endangers the livelihood.