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Upper Austria Energy
By Jason | August 25, 2011
Enthusiasm and visionary are two words that describe Christiane Egger who is the associate director for the Upper Austria Energy Office. The notion that a country or a state should export their dollars and be held hostage by a foreign nation has been silenced with renewable energy options in Austria. We can apply this outlook to the ethanol industry in South Dakota and exemplify the economic rewards. Biomass through wood production is their focus along with solar-thermal and efficient buildings. I particularly enjoy the realistic outlook from Christiane as she reminds us that we need to continue to focus on the benefits and quality jobs created through efficient renewable energy, instead of debating issues such as climate change that has folks on either side with deep convictions.
We had the chance to hear from an expert in the biomass district heating systems when we visited the energy academy in Linz. Their focus is on replanting hardwood trees as they continue to harvest trees for both lumber production and powering their heating/electricity plants. They maintain proper renewal of forests and tree plantings to displace any amount harvested. Touring the local heating and power plant, Linz Ag provided our tour group with the ability to walk through and witness the production of heat and electricity. This plant is operated year around, even though some adjustments are made since homes do not need the heat portion. Railroad, ship, and trucks haul the waste-wood lumber into the plant for proper storage and use.
Reduce consumption of electricity/energy and increase renewables is a motto followed by the people of Austria. Control of heating is reserved by the state governments but the electricity is controlled by the federal government in Austria.
Linz, Austria is similar in population to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. However, many of the buildings are very old and have elegant architecture. The city is clean and also contains the capital for the Upper Austria state government. Austria has similar aspects to South Dakota, but they have 8 million people and we have 800,000.
Our first day in Austria capped off with a very cool experience to hear from both the Upper Austria President of the Chamber of Agriculture (basically, their Secretary of Ag.) as well as Dr. Gerhard Dell who is the Energy Commissioner/Director for the Upper Austria Energy Office. First class hospitality was the standard and these folks expressed the importance of agriculture and energy as the token to success in the country they are very proud to call home. I was fortunate to speak on behalf of our delegation to thank our hosts and inform them that we are given confidence to forge ahead as we return to the United States to enhance renewable energy opportunities.
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