In 2016, approx. 30% of the total final energy demand was needed by the Austrian industry sector. Process heat accounts for three quarters of the industrial energy demand and about half of the heat is used on low and medium temperature level. Only 18% of the energy demand from the industry sector is provided by renewable energy sources. Combining the facts of a high share of heat demand in low and medium temperature range and high energy demand of Austrian industry with a comparatively low share of renewable energies, it becomes clear that the implementation of projects in industry will be a key to achieving the emission targets set by the Austrian government.

Energy for industrial processes could be provided by large-scale solar thermal systems. This is technically feasible and economically reasonable and contributes to achieving the climate targets. This has been proven in recent years by the implementation of “best practice examples” in various industrial sectors and in different parts of the world. Nevertheless, further efforts are needed to establish solar thermal energy as an important option for the energy supply of production facilities. The current issue of our newspaper “nachhaltige technologien” offers an insight into various initiatives and implementations as well as research projects aiming at the further development of solar thermal technology for the industry sector. Through the activities in R&D as well as pilot projects and demo systems presented in the magazine the potential for new applications with regard to solar thermal energy for industry will be addressed.