Tomorrow’s top issues in research

Solar visionary Huang Ming in an exclusive interview

Styrian Start-ups ready for take-off

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2 WORLD MAGAZINE

Contents

Photos: colourbox, Himin Solar Corp., eco, Saubermacher, bst, contain-me, Robert Frankl

Lifestyle: ContainMe! Presents the freight container house

Knowledge transfer a future issue for the city of Graz

Discover the Green Tech Valley

Introducing three Start-ups in Green Tech Valley

Styrian technology for ener-gy and the environment

Elite gathering at the „Cleantech Innovators Club“

China Solar Valley meets Green Tech Valley

Page 14Page 13

Page 11Page 10

Page 8Page 7

Page 6Page 4Energy: The big issue in research in the coming years

Dear Readers!

Innovations shape our lives and our futures. It is particularly the ideas and visions realised in the fields of science and technology that acce-lerate human progress and bring continuous development and improvement. However, our focus should not just be on the improvement of technologies in the next years and decades. We also need new business models to serve what are already high performance technologies. In this edition of ECO WORLD MAGAZINE the Fraunhofer Institute innovation researcher Prof. Dr. Harald Bradke and alternative Nobel Prize winner Huang Ming argue the case for opening up new market segments and supporting sus-tainable positioning technology. The two inno-vation experts also believe that a fundamental re-think in the areas of politics, economics and society are unavoidable (pages 4 - 6).

Green Tech Valley (GTV) is well prepared for the future. This was also shown at a gathering of the top 100 environmental innovators at the „Cleantech Innovators Club“ technology forum where new ideas for innovation in environmen-tal and energy technology were introduced and discussed (page 7). Innovative Start-up busines-ses also demonstrated that Styria can rely on the future offered by its technological potential and is supporting this potential with institutions such as Science Park Graz (pages 10 – 14).

What GTV already has in terms of the techno-logies of tomorrow can now also be viewed to-day, personally and up-close, on the fascinating new GTV Tour (page 11).

I wish you lasting enjoyment as you read this edition of ECO WORLD MAGAZINE. Best regards from Green Tech Valley

Bernhard Puttinger and the ECO WORLD STYRIA team

Published by: ECO WORLD STYRIA Umwelttechnik-Netzwerkbetriebs GmbH, Reininghausstraße 13, 8020 Graz, Austria. Tel: +43 316/40 77 44-0. E-mail: office@eco.at. www.eco.at. Production: Dr. A. Schendl GmbH & Co MEDIEN KG. www.schendl.at. Editorial Director: Alexander Kohl (Mag.). Contributions to this edition: Ulrike Putz (Mag.), Bartosz Gawlik, Dragoslav Dimitrijevic – in cooperation with the team from ECO WORLD STYRIA. Translation: Roger Lord. Proof reading: Sabine Nikodemus. Cover photos: eco, colourbox, rightlivelihood.org, bionic. Layout: Iris Schönauer. Printers: Ueberreuter Druckzentrum GmbH, Industriestrasse 1, 2100 Korneuburg. Edition 12, June 2012. Circulation: 15,000 copies.

green energy energy efficiency material efficiency green mobility water waste

billion EUR p. a. market volume 2008 market forecast 2020

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ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

Photo: Fraunhofer ISI

„We have the technical innovations. What we need in the future is innovative thought – in the way we live, in politics and in business.“ Prof. Dr. Harald Bradke, Fraunhofer-ISI, guest speaker at the ECO Future Congress 2012.

In the near future energy technology will play a central role in every field of scientific interest. The questions of the greatest immediacy are how best to store energy and create intelligent networks. In the coming decades focus has to be expanded beyond the

Energy is a big issue for the future in all fields of research

What will the future bring? This has been the central question for mankind since time imme-morial. In the past it was technological develop-ments that powered the acceleration of human progress. Where is the technology and research-driven journey taking us now? Fraunhofer ISI in Germany also got to grips with this question. In its study of what the future could hold, the re-search institute turned up a number of unexpec-ted results. „The goal of the study was to link up all the old fields of research. We wanted to identify the main areas and directions in deve-lopment similar in all disciplines; then to seek the synergies“, explained Harald Bradke, Head of the Competence Centre for Energy Technolo-gies and Energy Systems at the Fraunhofer Insti-tute for the Research of Systems and Innovation. We also applied this aim to the ECO WORLD STYRIA future workshop: „We searched for new and fascinating trends for the future.“ After in-tense study seven key tendencies were identified: „ProduceConsume 2.0“, „People-Technology- Cooperation“, „Decoding the aging process“, „Sustainable habitats“, „Trans-disciplinary mo-dels and multi-scale simulation“, „Time re-search“ and „Sustainable energy solutions“ (read further on next page). These seven areas of the future are now considered the megatrends for research in central Europe.

Energy of greatest relevance „The most interesting finding was that ‘energy’ was a theme that played a defining role in all areas of technological activity“, summarised the innovation expert, Bradke. Themes such as „Energy and resource efficiency“ and „Energy-self-sufficient production bases“ were the most important issues in the research of industri-al production systems. The top two themes in material research were „Material systems for a new generation of energy storage“and „Coa-ting materials for the affordable collection of solar energy“. In biotechnology, information

and communication technology, nanotechnolo-gy and optical technologies the top issues under analysis were future power supply systems and the provision of energy. „According to our study the issue of ensuring affordable, environmen-tally friendly energy provision is the goal that subordinates all the other fields of technologi-cal and scientific development“, Bradke empha-sised. „It can be seen as the global challenge and a highly relevant guiding market for the fu-ture economy, in terms of quality of life and in terms of its influence“. Every area of research follows its own roadmap and has its own spe-cific „energy futures“ involving future forms of energy use and production. A new interdiscip-linary form of cooperation between these areas could trigger new synergies and facilitate radi-cal renewal and development.

Efficient energy use with immediate effectsParticularly in the coming years and decades the focus should be expanded from the continuous development, consolidation and improvement of our technology to take advantage of interdis-ciplinary opportunities and create new business models for energy technology. „It is hard to say which of the renewable energy resources will win through“, Bradke stated. „That’s why we current-ly need variety; the entire range of renewables. The developments made will decide which rene-wables dominate. Many frogs have to be kissed in order to find a prince.“ Harald Bradke sees the greatest potential in more efficient usage of existing energy: „Energy efficiency is the most im-mediate of all the possibilities if we wish to have an effect“, the German researcher told us. Some of the main improvements can be made to buil-dings. Building renovations to improve energy use and retention are currently at an annual level of 1 %. The industrial sector could also make a large contribution to the task of energy saving by rethinking its processes, exploiting genera-ted heat and installing more efficient machinery.

Bradke named a completely new procedure in the cement industry as an example; one which can half energy consumption, and an electronic rev limiter for electric motors used in the indus-trial sector.

Paradigm transitions and re-thinkingThe current need for action is located in the area of grid integration for renewable energy sources. Wind power and photovoltaic electricity supply is often irregular and of differing intensity. Storing energy and feeding it into the grid pose big chal-lenges for the energy providers. Bradke explai-ned the situation thus: „Previously demand dro-ve supply. Now the supply end is something we can’t control.“ Technological progress is a prere-quisite for this redistribution of burdens and the implementation of an energy efficient society. A change of paradigms and a reappraisal within our societies are required – in the way we think, the way we live, in our politics and in economics. He continued: „Our economic system is based on short-term profit. Environment challenges are long term factors. Thus, the market is imperfect. We need the right political instruments if we are to move in the right direction. Technology alone is not the solution. We need to link up all our options.“

ProduceConsume 2.0

Human-Technology-Cooperation

Decoding the aging process

Sustainable habitats

Time research

Trans-disciplinary models and multi-scale simulation

Sustainable energy solutions

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ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

Photos: eco, rightlivelihood.org, Himin Solar Corp

Huang Ming is founder and chairman of Himin Solar and winner of the „Right Livelihood Honorary Award“ in 2011.

During his visit to Graz, Huang Ming was awarded the honorary title „Green Tech Valley Ambassador“. Huang and ECO WORLD STYRIA also signed a working agreement for the expansion of business contacts between Green Tech Valley and China Solar Valley. Bilateral discussions have already produced some concrete results regarding cooperation on the supply of goods to China and a number of potential joint ventures between Styria and China.

China Solar Valley meetsGreen Tech Valley Two innovative regions plan to work closer together in the future: China Solar Valley and Green Tech Valley located in Styria will learn and benefit from each other. Huang Ming made this announcement while attending the ECO WORLD STYRIA Future Congress in Graz. In an exclusive interview the 2011 Alternative Nobel Prize winner also explains his new big goal; to break down the old solar business models and help change the world.

ECO WORLD MAGAZINE: Huang Ming, you began your career as an engineer in the oil industry. Why did you change over to the „sunny side“?Huang Ming: I was motivated by the goal of ma-king Dezhou, my home town, a better place to live for the next generation. Back then I also had the China Solar Valley vision and was laughed at by many people. Now that dream has come true. Being awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize has also showed me that we Chinese are now taken seriously as innovators in renewable energy. Now we can show that Chinese products aren’t just cheap; we also produce quality.

What is the current situation like for solar power producers in China?The Chinese economy is still growing but the fai-rytale period is over. Chinese businesses are also suffering from immense market pressure. Several smaller producers have already closed down. In

China losses made in the PV sector last year came to two billion US dollars. This year it will be even worse. For me this is all a sign that the time has come to go down a different road.

In your opinion, where should we start?I think technical ideas and falling prices are not enough to save the solar market. We need a complete re-think. We need to create new busi-ness models that enter every household and every area of application. Solar heating, solar cooling and solar cookers have already been invented, but what about solar cars, solar fridges and solar-powered mobile phones? I’m sure we could kick up solar hype akin to the iPhone buzz. I want to shake up old solar business practices, re-think and re-position sustainable products. We can’t al-low „solar“ power and renewable energies to be bound to subsidisation and tariffs. That gives the entire solar technology sector a bitter aftertaste. We need modern, luxurious designer goods aimed

at style-conscious consumers and big earners. I’ve made this transition my mission.

Do you have definite plans?It’s time for China Solar Valley and Green Tech Valley to work closer with each other. Both of these innovative regions can glean mutual be-nefits. A number of joint ventures are already under consideration. I’ve been wanting to set up a manufacturing base in Europe for a long time and, as Styria is in Austria at the heart of the European continent, it would be a logical option. This would be a good stage for my vision of a restructured solar market.

SurFunCell

International cooperationSOFC System

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ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

Photos: DI Pernthaler Architekt ZT, cbone, S.O.L.I.D., andritz

Simply Styrian.

SMART CITY IN GRAZThe City of Graz was selected to realise the only leading project to be based in Austria - the „Smart City Project Graz Mitte“. The pro-ject has been subsidised from the climate and energy fund to the tune of € 4.2 million to demonstrate new urban energy technologies as a part of innovative municipal development - and is designed to encourage citizens to get involved. This pilot project encompasses an entire range of ecological and economic aspects to be conside-red when developing a „smart“ part of the city - from urban electri-city generation and building facade integration, to the construction of a complex of residential flats with approximately 80 units. graz.at

SOLID COOLING IN SINGAPOREThe official commissioning of the world’s largest solar cooling plant was conducted at UWC-SEA East Campus in Singapo-re. The collectors cover a surface area of at least 3.900 m². During the plant’s entire working life of over 25 years it is ex-pected to produce around 2.200 megawatt hours of „green“ energy every year. The cooling production uses a lithium-bro-mide based absorption cooling machine to generate cooling power of around 1.575 kW. What is currently the world’s most powerful solar-powered cooling system, was developed by the styrian S.O.L.I.D. as an energy service facility. solid.at

INDIVIDUAL COMBUSTION„Combustion Bay One“ is a company that concentrates on the combustion process for aircraft engines and thermal pro-cesses. The aim is to develop tailor-made combustion systems that can be used for a broader range of applications while reducing environmental damage. Such research-intensive so-lutions are particularly needed for energy provision as is the case with stationary gas turbines, or aeroplane engines. The first CBOne product is an actuator for the precise control of flame dynamics. It has already been validated and exhibited at the ASME Turbo Expo in Vancouver (Canada). cbone.at

TIDE FLOW TURBINESThe international technology business Andritz Hydro Hammerfest has successfully installed its own self-developed HS1000 tide flow turbine in the waters of the European Marine Energy Cen-tre in Scotland. The unit produces an output of 1.000 kW. The horizontally positioned turbine is fixed to the ocean floor and the rotor blades are driven by the tidal flow. This and other projects, such as the world’s tidal power station in South Korea with an output of 260 MW, have helped Andritz to secure its status as one of the world’s leading companies in the sector. 280° rota-tion capability allows the system to be adapted perfectly to tidal conditions. andritz.com

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NEWS

Photos: bst, gridlab

„BST“ makes aeroplanes faster and more efficient with optimised riblet structures.

„gridlab“ improves the flow processes in industrial plants.

Start-ups in Green Tech ValleySurface treatment technology, flow optimisation and mini biogas plants are three innovations that will enhance the market for energy and green technology in the future.

Numerous patents have been registered and the appearance of many Start-up businesses is evidence of the growing status enjoyed by environmental and energy technology in Sty-ria. Eco World Magazine introduced three promising young businesses, which are keen on making their visions real and aim to con-quer international markets:

Less friction – less energy consumption The Graz business „bionic surface techno-logies“ (BST) researches the surface structu-res of bodies subject to flow conditions, such as surfboards, boats, aeroplanes and wind power stations to improve their flow dyna-

mics. BST relies on the so-called riblet structure, a micro-groove surface si-milar to those found on sharks a n d p e n -g u i n s . The structures are optimised using CFD Computational Fluid Dynamics cal-culations. This tech-nology enables the friction produced by a body to be reduced by up to 8 %. This re-sults is 8 % more speed or a 4 % reduction in CO2 emission. bionicsurface.com

Flow research in the Great Ideas Laboratorygridlab GmbH is based in Graz too and is also working on the optimisation of flow processes. However, gridlab has focused on the optimisation of industrial plants working in energy and environmental technology. Numerical CFD calculations allow complex contexts within a plant to be optimised on

the computer without the need to interrupt

operations. CEO Hermann Maier explains: „Inefficient flow conditions are often very difficult to identify within a plant.“ Gridlab optimisation improves plant efficiency while lowering operating costs and reducing pol-lution. gridlab.at

Biotechnology and energy productionEngewa Biotechnologie & Energie is a new company and is divided into two areas of ex-pertise. The founder of the business, Herbert Pobeheim, stated: „Firstly, we are working on modifying natural materials for the indus-trial sector. Secondly, we are active in the biogas sector. We are currently working on a very small biogas plant to be put into serial production.“ Every customer could produce green energy with it, since agricultural in-dustry left-overs and waste can be used in biogas production. The biggest purchasers are expected to be operations feeding pigs and bovine cattle. engewa.at

Attractive mix of stations

Book online

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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

Photo: Landesregierung Steiermark

In 2011 a working group consisting of representatives of FA19D, the customs office, the building industry, the waste disposal industry and the chamber of civil engineers produced a practicable set of guidelines for dealing with building rubble. On the 29th February 2012 the guidelines were introduced at a conference of industry members and specialists.

INFOBOX

Rubble as a raw materialIn Austria the largest single consumer of resources and producer of waste is the building industry. Every year around 30 million tons of rubble are produced. The target in the EU waste guidelines is for at least 70 % of this rubble to be used for subsequent applications by the year 2020.

Despite being high-ly recyclable, and alt-hough dumping prices continue to rise, large amounts of mineral-based rubble are still arriving at dumps. The building industry is lo-sing out on valuable secondary raw mate-rials that can only be replaced via an increa-sed use of primary raw materials, increasing demand for newly mi-ned minerals. However, there are also prob-lems recycling building site waste. A lack of pl-anning prior to demo-lition and insufficient collection and separa-tion methods lead to poor quality in the subsequently recycled buil-ding materials. The incorporation of polluted materials can incur fines and duties according to the laws on the remediation of contamina-ted sites.

Styrian building rubble guidelinesAs a result, the „Styrian building rubble ini-tiative“ was initiated in Styria by representa-tives of department 19D at the office of the Styrian regional government, the guild at the chambers of commerce responsible for buil-ding practices and waste processing, the Sty-rian chamber of civil engineers, and Graz customs office. The initiative aims to compile the essential information on the correct ways of handling building waste and make this in-formation available on a website to all rele-

vant groups involved – such as site owners, planners, building authorities, the building industry in general and recycling businesses. This intensive period of close cooperation re-sulted in the Styrian Building Rubble Guideli-nes (www.baurestmassen.steiermark.at) which were presented to around 450 members of related industries and trades at a trade mee-ting in Graz and were uploaded for general access.

Encouraging improvement of the recycling ratioThe new Building Rubble Guidelines provide a complete range of information for demoli-tion and excavation projects, starting at the planning phase, through authorisation pro-cedures and official notification, to relevant practical questions regarding building site

practices, such as waste separation, right through to re-use, recycling and disposal options, such as delivering rubble to official dumps and storage areas. The provision of informati-on is rounded off with links to currently valid building-related laws, plus a down-load section. The guideli-nes are intended to be an up-to-date and practical aid for all those working in this sector and should en-courage an increase in the proportion of materials re-cycled. Sustainable use of end-of-life building ma-terials is an issue relevant both politically and for so-ciety in general, as it re-duces demand for primary

raw materials and avoids filling dumps beyond their capacities.

Information on the waste processing industry in Styria can be found at: www.abfallwirtschaft.steiermark.at

The Styrian guidelines for the processing of rubble can be found at: www.baurestmassen.steiermark.at

The website of the Builders’ Guild at the Styrian Chamber of Commerce can be found at: www.stmk.bau.or.at

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NEWS

Photo: Robert Frankl

Tanja Peterschinek and Michael Wimmer are the founders of Bright Yellow Future and like many other innovative Start-ups they are being supported at Science Park Graz until their products are ready for the market.

Graz: The knowledge incubatorGraz is a „city of knowledge“. The transfer of technology and knowledge will boost this status even more. Science Park Graz serves as a bridge between academia and the business sector and supports new innovative spin-offs and Start-ups as they make their first corporate steps.

„Strictly speaking our idea was the result of an accident my girlfriend, Tanja Peterschinek, had at work during an experiment for her biochemistry masters“, Michael Wimmer tells ECO WORLD MAGAZINE. After this accident the two researchers observed how Tanja’s or-ganism was able to produce large amounts of oil from simple sugars glycerine. This is how the idea of an organic refinery was born in order to utilise this organism. The researchers then founded a company known as Bright Yellow Future (BYF). The developmental goal for this combination of biotechnology, process technology and energy optimisation is an in-tegrated organic refinery to develop a system for a sustainable energy supply from renewa-ble raw materials. The concept is still at the laboratory stage and is being optimised for large-scale industrial applications. In December 2010 the Start-up business was admitted to the Science Park Graz. This led to numerous inter-national research institutes and scientists from all over the world being adopted as partners and mentors of BYF, and to cooperation with a Styrian „bio“ refinery that plans a full-scale adoption of the system in around three years.

Economic strategy: Graz 2015BYF is a perfect example of the Start-up help given to young, innovative researchers. The „Graz 2015“ economic development strategy has also been framed for the purpose of in-cluding technology and knowledge transfer on a large scale and developing the identity of Graz as a „city of knowledge“. However, this transfer can only be successful if the inventions are introduced onto the market as innovations. This is one of the goals fostered by Science Park Graz as it incubates projects and increases the speed at which these young businesses de-velop and hatch. It backs and guides university spin-offs and Start-ups taking their first steps in the commercial world. It serves as a bridge between academia and the business world. In the future Science Park Graz intends to place even more emphasis on quality. The best and most promising projects are sought and selec-ted from among the international competition, although the institutes of the four universities in Graz constitute the „logical supply market“. So even in the „pre-incubation phase“ there is intensive interaction with the project parti-cipants. Great importance is also attached to

each young entrepreneur’s „preparation for life in business“. Methods proven in practical situ-ations and expertise in business management, marketing, sales and distribution, are also trai-ned in concentrated doses.

„Future Club“ Andreas Morianz from the Graz Department for the Development of Business and Tourism exp-lained the situation thus: „Our four universities with almost 50.000 students and approximately 5.500 graduates per year, the two specialised polytechnics and the numerous extra-university research institutions, provide us with the best possible conditions for the development of new ideas and innovative products. Our students and researchers provide the impetus driving new technologies. We have to be supportive of all their endeavours.“ To ensure there is transfer of knowledge between each of these centres of innovation we organise activities in several fields, such as cooperative agreements with small and medium-sized businesses, by allowing the questions that occur to be dealt with in discussions at „Club Zukunft“, and by linking up all relevant future-related themes.

Result

Renewal

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NEWS

Did You Know ?

JILEK’S CARTOON: „50 % REDUCTION OF CO2“

Photos: MIT Media Lab, altaerosenergies, colourbox, UC San Diego

ELEVATING POWEREco Sun Power has developed an energy recovery sys-tem that transforms kinetic energy from elevators and lifting systems into electricity. The company says harnes-sing energy from descents and braking activities can reduce the energy bill for such machinery by 35 %. For the whole of Europe this would equate to an annual sa-ving of € 1.35 billion. fineagroup.com

SPACE-SAVING E-CARIn cooperation with seven car manufacturers, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in Spain developed a prototype for the „Hiriko“, a fold-away car with an electric motor. The driver enters and leaves the car by opening the glass front. Parking is simplified as the front and rear wheels can both be steered at the same time. hiriko.com

AIRBORNE WIND TURBINEAltaeros Energies have introduced a prototype for their new wind power plant. The Airbourne Wind Turbine consists of a ring-shaped balloon within a frame hol-ding a wind turbine in the centre. In terms of wind power exploitation, the balloon is more than twice as efficient as tower constructions. The goal is now to position the turbine at a height of 300 metres. altaerosenergies.com

FUEL FROM THE NANOFORESTResearchers at the University of California (San Diego) use nanostructures from tree-like shapes whose surface properties optimise the extrac-tion of energy from the sun and maximise the hydrogen output. This development is based on the principle of artificial photosynthesis. The re-search team now intends to use their invention to convert carbon dioxide to a hydrocarbon-based fuel. In contrast to smooth surfaces that reflect light, the „Nanoforest“ absorbs sunlight. ucsd.edu