Research and Development

EVN is involved in numerous national and international innovation, development and research projects and has played a significant role in Austria for decades in the further development of highly efficient and environmentally friendly power plants. In the fiscal year 2010/11 approximately EUR 1.3m (thereof about 16.1% through funding) was spent with emphasis on the following projects:

• Biomass test facility Dürnrohr – Biomass Pyrolysis
• CCS technologies (e.g. CO2 deposition facility Dürnrohr)
• Smart-Metering
• ARGE EEE (thermal e-efficiency)
• Multi-functional energy storage
• emporA (electro-mobility)
• Green home
• Solar energy project with HELIOVIS AG and the Vienna University of Technology: crucial element of this CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) demonstration plant at Dürnrohr is the so-called HELIOtube (sun concentrator). HELIOtube is an inflatable sun concentrator made of plastic foil, which uses reflective foil to concentrate the sunlight, thus making it economically feasible. Following the sun through the day, the reflecting membrane of HELIOtube focuses sun rays and produces steam in an evaporator tube. The steam then can be energetically converted. The demonstration plant is going to run for about two years, offering insights into its suitability in continuous operation, production capacities, and the control mode.

CO₂ deposition facility at the Dürnrohr power plant

The CO₂ deposition facility at the Dürnrohr power plant was opened September 2011. Developed, constructed and opened in cooperation with ANDRITZ Energy & Environment and the Vienna University of Technology, the test facility studies the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from flue gas of the Dürnrohr coal/gas power plant. It is the facility’s goal to reduce CO₂ emissions, do more industrial research on the deposition process, and at the same time to produce pure CO₂ for the future use as a valuable resource. For further information please see page 135 of EVN Full Report 2010/11.