SET Plan 2018: Focus on European-wide energy transition

Over the course of 2 days, presentations and discussions will revolve around the question of how renewable energies and energy efficiency in industry as well as research and development can advance the energy transition in Europe.

The European Union’s targets for 2030 for renewable energy and energy efficiency have been decided and the discussion on the EU’s contribution to the Paris Climate Agreement is under way. The role that research and innovation can play in achieving those goals is also one of the discussion points of this year’s SET‑Plan Conference (Strategic Energy Technology) which takes place under the motto “Research and Innovation driving the energy transition to 2050″. How can this be achieved? During the 2‑day event, high-profile international panellists will in both discussions and presentations provide answers to this question for over 300 participants from science, research, industry and politics from all over Europe.  

On 20 and 21 November 2018 the 11th SET-Plan Conference will take place under the auspices of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the conference venue Messe Wien in Vienna. The conference will be hosted by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) under the patronage of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT), the Austrian Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism (BMVIT) and the European Commission. 

Norbert Hofer, Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology, also stressed the great importance of innovative technologies for the energy transition:

“Clean energy and mobility technologies are worldwide among the biggest growth markets of the 21st century. We are happy that, with the SET‑Plan Conference, we can showcase Austria as a highly innovative country when it comes to energy technologies. The strong alliance between industry and science allows us to successfully pursue this path and to implement our national climate and energy strategy #mission 2030.” 

Elisabeth Köstinger, Federal Minister for Sustainability and Tourism, highlighted:

“For me, it is important that Austria takes on a pioneering role in environmental issues. In order to be able to implement our ambitious climate and energy goals under #mission 2030 and to put a definitive end to the fossil age, we need innovative technologies in all sectors. At the SET‑Plan Conference we will be bringing together theory and practice, we will be connecting science and industry on an international level – thus taking a big step towards a European‑wide energy transition.” 

Wolfgang Hribernik, Head of Center for Energy at the AIT, added:

“Innovations are essential for the energy transition to happen. The SET-Plan Conference will allow us present new developments for energy infrastructure, industrial energy systems and smart cities. Areas that we at the AIT have been developing and advancing for years together with partners from research and industry.”

One example of this is NEFI – New Energy for Industry. Coordinated by Wolfgang Hribernik, this flagship region for energy – one of three such regions – aims to decarbonise industrial systems.

The kick-off for the “Flagship region energy” initiative, which receives financial support from the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund, will take place at the SET-Plan Conference as a side event. Other points on the conference agenda are a workshop to initiate R&D cooperation projects, a citizen participation project and an evening reception hosted by the mayor of Vienna. In addition, visitors can participate in on‑site visits in the Vienna area, such as “Renovation and new grids”, “New buildings”, “Waste heat for partners” in the Schwechat brewery, “ViennaGreenCO2 Pilot Plant”, as well as in guided tours of the OMV refinery in Schwechat and a lab tour at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). 

Full details on the SET-Plan 2018 can be found at: www.setplan2018.at

More information about the event can be found on the event page.