AIT in Vienna: Austria's Center for Innovative Energy Research!

AIT in Vienna: Austria's Center for Innovative Energy Research!

Wien-Meidling, Österreich - The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) is a central actor in the field of research and development in Austria. As the largest non-university research institution in the country, the AIT is based on Giefinggasse in Vienna-Floridsdorf and employs over 1,500 people. More than half of the shares of AIT belong to the Republic of Austria, while the Austrian Association of Austria holds the remaining 49.54 %. The important role of AIT in research should not be underestimated- it includes seven powerful research and development centers that deal with topics from Digital Safety & Security to Transport Technologies. Particularly noteworthy is the Center for Energy, which with around 300 employees forms the largest center of AIT.

What makes the Center for Energy so special? It focuses on the areas of energy storage, including batteries, hydrogen and thermal energy storage, and uses digital technologies to intelligently control energy flows. These approaches are particularly important for Austria, since AIT also coordinates the NEFI (New Energy for Industry) innovation network for the decarbonization of industry. The extensive laboratory infrastructure that includes high-voltage and direct current laboratories as well as test benches for batteries supports these important research goals. The Medusa project, which received the Houska Prize for Innovative Middle Voltage Technology, was particularly recognized in order to significantly reduce the loading time of bus batteries.

Sustainable solutions and further training in the focus

ait is active in working with companies to develop innovative solutions, such as the PV platform roof of the ÖBB or the PV noise protection wall in Vienna-Meidling. These measures show how the AIT acts at the interface between research and application. Christoph Mayr, business manager at AIT, emphasizes the importance of cost efficiency and norms in electrical engineering. These aspects are crucial to be successful in the industry and offer sustainable solutions.

An interesting aspect in the development of battery storage is also highlighted by the Technical University of Berlin. There, three professors work on a platform for the integration of battery stores in solar systems. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Julia Kowal deals with the selection and characterization of the batteries, while Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sibylle Dieckerhoff designs the electronics for the regulation and network feed -in. The project, which has been funded by Climate Center Berlin Brandenburg since 2022, also receives support from Prof. Dr. Melanie Jaeger Erben, which is responsible for building the transfer platform.

Another important step in the training and development of specialists are the further training opportunities that AIT offers in cooperation with WiFi. The course for the certified PV technician shows how important it is that the youngsters are well trained to master the challenges of modern electrical engineering.

The AIT with its initiatives and research projects sets clear accents for the future of energy and the training of specialists. The connection from research, practical applications and further education is the key to actively shaping the energy transition and developing sustainable solutions for industry and society.