In order to achieve the political targets such as 100% renewable electricity in 2030 or 100% renewable total energy in 2040, both a significant acceleration of the expansion and an acceleration of the development of related innovative technologies (system integration, creation of flexibility, etc.) are necessary. cells4.energy, through the means of the living lab (Reallabor), will enable such innovation to be tested and rolled out more quickly. A diversified spectrum of six different regions and requirements will be covered, where model solutions and technologies will be validated for their practicality.
Future situations in the energy system, such as low-temperature district heating in combination with waste heat utilization and sector coupling, will be realistically mapped in the living laboratories. The interaction of components and system elements in the living laboratory will create new, cross-element functions (e.g. flexibility) in the energy system.
Goals and innovation content
The project builds on the results from the innovation lab (Innovationslabor) act4.energy, which has already created a basis in Southern Burgenland for solving the problem of the highly fluctuating availability of renewable energies. In the continuation, the focus is now extended towards a decentralized digital renewable energy system for regions and neighbourhoods. To this end, the cells4.energy project is developing a scalable and easily transferable energy cell concept that maps entire value chains - from generation to storage to transport and use of energy. This cell approach will be analyzed on a technical, regulatory, economic and societal level.
The lead project cells4.energy, together with the parallel submitted innovation lab act4.enery nlevel, will set up living labs and map different systems and technology developments in them. The project aims to create the framework for the development and demonstration of a regional, digital and cross-sectoral (electricity, heat, green gas and mobility) renewable energy system. The model solution in the form of a cell concept is to provide a basis for the implementable energy transition and be replicable to other regions.
Within the framework of the project, a living laboratory is to be established in eastern Austria for the implementation of demo and pilot projects for regional energy systems and communities. In the living lab, different technologies and systems will be tested technically, economically and socially. This includes, among other things, innovative local heating networks and regional heating associations, control concepts for system services through energy cells, coordinated charging concepts, hybrid power plants with hydrogen solutions, and comprehensive end-customer integration. With the establishment of the living laboratory, pilot projects for the digitalization and IoT integration of energy systems are also to be developed. A data management system is to be developed for regional energy management.
Intended results and findings
The project aims to develop model solutions that can be replicated and accelerate innovation processes with regard to the energy transition. Specifically, the project should deliver the following results:
1. a practicable concept for energy cells, which is scalable and replicable;
2. the development and standardization of market-ready concepts and financing solutions and participation models together with future investors in energy cells
3. three protocells and three energy cells for efficient testing of new technologies and systems in a living lab setting.
In these, the following systemic and technological innovations will be developed:
1. a prototype tested concept for thermal energy communities, which also work in combination with energy communities in the electricity sector and integrate different sources (geothermal, biomass, electricity, waste heat) and storage;
2. a proof-of-concept for the operation of grid- and system-serving virtual power plants
3. validated solutions of inverters with grid-forming capabilities
4. a proof of concept of a resilient hybrid power plant with sustainable hydrogen production
5. a tested concept for coordinated and automated charging of electric vehicles with user interaction
6. a determination of the effectiveness of user interventions via an app in terms of energy efficiency and energy savings
By implementing energy cells on a regional scale, long-term growth prospects for these technologies, products, processes and services are created. Since the chosen transferable system approach pays special attention to the scalability of the solutions, it will be possible to spread the regional solutions nationally and internationally in the form of blueprints or narratives. This step is particularly important to increase the visibility of the regional Austrian technologies and to raise public awareness of the benefits of these solutions.
