e.nova 2026: Burgenland University of Applied Sciences strengthens expert dialogue on energy and climate

Pinkafeld, 30 June 2026. The e.nova 2026 event turned the Pinkafeld Study Centre into a hub for energy and climate issues on 24 and 25 June. The Department of Energy & Environment at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences thus sent a strong signal in favour of collaboration between research, teaching and practical application. The focus was on innovative solutions for the future of energy – ranging from district heating and energy data analysis to heat pumps, energy storage and hydrogen-related topics. Over 220 guests from businesses, public institutions and universities from Austria and abroad gathered at the Pinkafeld campus.

A long tradition of exchange

High-profile keynote speeches by Helga Kromp-Kolb, one of Austria’s best-known climate scientists and meteorologists, and Tobias Pröll, a professor of energy technology and energy management at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, and head of the Institute of Process and Energy Technology, underlined the scientific relevance of the congress. Kromp-Kolb last took to the podium at e.nova 20 years ago. “Back then, the focus was on further developing renewable energies and making them usable. That has now been achieved. Now it is a matter of understanding that this is not merely a technological transformation. The measures must be embedded within society,” she emphasised.

In addition, three further conferences – namely HERCULES-CE (energy communities), NRGCOM (energy communities) and HySISI/H2GreenFuture (hydrogen-related topics) – along with workshops, provided further impetus. With the participation of the two HTLs in Pinkafeld and Mödling, its international character and its focus on sustainable event organisation, Burgenland University of Applied Sciences reaffirmed its role as a key driving force in the energy transition.

A first as a certified Green Meeting

e.nova was supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, as well as Interreg Central Europe HERCULES-CE, Interreg Austria-Hungary HySISI and Interreg Danube Region NRGCOM. For the first time, the event was held as a certified Green Meeting in accordance with the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel. e.nova took place – In memoriam Prof. (FH) DI Dr Gernot Hanreich.

Please note: There are still a few places available on the Energy & Environment degree programmes for the autumn term. Find out more here: Applications and Admissions – Burgenland University of Applied Sciences

Studying in the Department of Energy & Environment

For many years, the Pinkafeld university campus has been regarded as a centre of excellence for building services engineering, energy and the environment. Across six Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes, more than 600 students acquire the skills necessary to play an active role in shaping the energy and climate transition. At the same time, experts from Burgenland University of Applied Sciences and Forschung Burgenland work alongside companies on practical research and development projects. The Lowergetikum and Energetikum research buildings provide the ideal conditions for developing and testing innovative technologies under real-world conditions.

enova 2026, Day 1, from left: Christian Wartha, Head of the Energy & Environment Department; Tobias Pröll, Professor of Energy Technology and Energy Management at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences; Romana Karoli from the e.nova organising team; Bettina Schauer-Frank, Rector of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences; Helga Kromp-Kolb, one of Austria’s best-known climate researchers and meteorologists; event organiser Martin Hatzl; Werner Stutterecker, Head of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Building and Energy Technology; Georg Pehm, Managing Director of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences.

e.nova 2026 Day 2, from left: Christian Wartha, Head of the Department of Energy & Environment; Dipl.-Ing. Michael Haugeneder, Managing Director at ATP sustain and an expert in sustainable construction, building physics and ESG consultancy; Romana Karoli from the e.nova organising team; Christian Heschl, Programme Director of the Master’s programme in Building Services Engineering and Building Management; event organiser Martin Hatzl.

Press release

For further enquiries:

Mag.a Christiane Staab │ Marketing and Communications │ Burgenland University of Applied Sciences GmbH │ Tel: +43 (0)5 7705 3537 │ Email: christiane.staab(at)hochschule-burgenland.at