FH Burgenland researches smart cities of tomorrow

Burgenland is a model region for renewable energies in Europe on the road to the energy transition. Alternative energy concepts for the houses and cities of tomorrow are being tested at the Energetikum of Forschung Burgenland.

What characterises "smart cities"?

Markus Puchegger: "Smart city" is actually a collective term for development concepts that make cities more efficient, technologically advanced, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly.

It's a broad topic, because a city can become "smart" from various perspectives.

How is research being conducted?

Markus Puchegger: Our focus is on the intelligent generation, distribution and utilisation of energy, whereby we not only consider the economic and social aspects, but also the social ones.

We don't just "impose" our concepts on the residents, but also involve the users.

We do this in workshops, for example, where we work together with local companies or associations to develop proposed solutions.

Talking to each other is a very important point, also to break down prejudices against certain technologies.

In terms of methodology, it is very much about collecting and analysing data, creating models and developing scenarios and systems from available technologies in order to make the energy supply as intelligent and ecologically and economically sustainable as possible. Some of these models can be tested at our Energetikum, where a wide range of individual technologies are available for systematic networking.

How could our cities function in 15-20 years' time?

Markus Puchegger: In terms of energy technology, the aim is for cities to function as "energy sponges". When there is a lot of renewable electricity in the grid, possible energy sinks should be utilised, for example to fill storage tanks, operate heat pumps and put other time-independent energy consumers into operation. When the wind is calm or the sun is not shining, the storage tanks can be emptied and there is no supply bottleneck. Ideally, entire cities can support a full supply of renewable energy.