Author: studia

ZEAFOLU

Im Projekt ZEAFOLU (null Emissionen aus Land- und Forstwirtschaft und
anderen Formen der Landnutzung in der OÖ Eisenwurzen und darüber hinaus) sollen auf Basis eines biophysischen Biomasseflussmodels und gemeinsam mit Stakeholdern potentielle Handlungsoptionen aufgezeigt werden, die in einer Null-Emissionsstrategie umsetzbar sind. Unterschiedliche Optionen der Landnutzung (Flächenbedarf, Landnutzungsintensität, Technologie, Ernährungsweise und Biomassenachfrage) werden unter Berücksichtigung von Effekten auf Biodiversität, Volkswirtschaft und Wohlbefinden systematisch analysiert. Solche Analysen sind durch komplexe Handelsverflechtungen und die räumlichen Entkopplung von Produktion und Nachfragen komplex und schwierig, insbesondere wenn es darum geht konkrete Schlussfolgerungen auf kleinräumlicher Ebene zu treffen. Aus diesem Grund verfolgt ZEAFOLU ein vereinfachtes Design, welches vier räumliche Ebenen einer Null-Emissionsstrategie der Landnutzung systematisch verbindet: (a) die ländliche Region Eisenwurzen, (b) die nationale Ebene Österreich, regional unterteilt; (c) die Ebene der 28-EU-Mitgliedstaaten und (d) die globale Ebene, untergliedert in elf Weltregionen. Die letzten beiden Ebenen dienen im Besonderen der Analyse der Bedeutung von internationalen Handelsströmen für die Erreichung des Null-Netto-Emissionszieles auf regionaler Ebene und für gesamt Österreich.

Projektpartner: Institut für Soziale Ökologie, BOKU Wien

Gefördert durch: Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Dr. Ignaz- Seipel Platz, 1010 Wien, Österreich

Kontakt: Stefan Kirchweger

Concrete energy system transformation

Concrete energy system transformation – regionally integrated with resource / energy and value added potential

The main objective of the project is to be able to easily survey regional renewable resources, to illustrate them clearly, to optimise their use and to show the (regional) economic and ecological value added.

We create a digital toolbox for the development of integrated energy concepts for local and regional managers and planners with

  • A strong energy map software for the localization of measures, e.g. power plants etc. (including the calculation of land requirements and potential energy yields),

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  • the coupled optimized energy conversion calculator REsys for comparison of demand and application over time and the process network synthesis PNS for the (not only economic) optimization of a technology network,
  • integrated energy demand data,
  • a standardised communication and process design for the economic implementation of projects involving stakeholders in energy system transformation processes
  • new functions for strong local climate models as well as for
  • with functions for the determination of costs and benefits and an assessment of the value added of energy system transformation measures from a (regional) economic perspective.

The Consortium:
akaryon – coordinates the project, collaborates on the mathematical models, is responsible for common data structures and develops some of the tools for the toolbox, based on the tool REsys, which was conceived and launched in recent years together with Dr. Günter Wind and Dr. Horst Lunzer, both of whom are also involved in the project.
Strateco OG – introduces the optimization tool PNS and leads the work with the users.
IBBD – will contribute climate models and data.
STUDIA – will provide cost, benefit and value added analyses.
TU Vienna and BOKU Vienna – will contribute data and modelling on the energy supply and demand side as well as know-how in the field of communication and process design.

The project is supported by the FFG in the COIN conveyor rail.

There is the possibility for municipalities, regions, planners, consultants within the framework of this project to participate in workshops, to try out the toolbox or to go through an energy concept development process with it.
If you are interested please contact Petra Busswald from akaryon: busswald@akaryon.com.

EBIM-OEV

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Project title:
Low emission commuting with smart micro public transport services (EBIM-ÖV)

Project partner:
FH OÖ Forschungs und Entwicklungs GmbH, Research Group: Networks and Mobility

Project aim:
The basic aim of this project is to establish a scientific and technical basis für a broadly accepted micro public transport service for solving the first and last mile problem. As a result, we expect a reduction of individual traffic in the respective rural areas, particularly along the highly frequented commuter roads, and a reduction in CO2 emissions concomittant therewith.

Project procedure:
A detailed description of the project can be found here at FH OÖ.

Project period:
01/2019 – 12/2020

Contact:
Stefan Kirchweger

The project is funded through the structural programm „Investitionen in Wachstum und Beschäftigung Österreich 2014-2020″, with funds from the European ERDF(European Regional Development Fund) and the Austrian state Upper Austria.


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InnoForESt – Innovations in Forest Ecosystem Services

Project title: Smart information, governance and business innovations for sustainable supply and payment mechanisms for forest ecosystem services

InnoForESt seeks to spark a transformation of the European forest sector by stimulating innovations for the sustainable supply and financing of forest ecosystem services.

The overarching objective of InnoForESt is to steer policies and businesses through the establishment of new actor alliances and payment schemes in the forestry sector demonstrating the feasibility of alternative income streams from forest ecosystem services not yet harnessed by traditional markets. InnoForESt has established four specific objectives to be targeted:

  • synthetizing information on forest ecosystem service provision
  • understanding success factors of novel policy and business models
  • upgrading, upscaling and mainstreaming
  • provisioning of policy and business recommendations

The expected impacts of InnoForESt are

  • enhanced coordination in policy making
  • development of novel policies and business processes
  • increased incentives for the sustainable supply of essential forest ecosystem service
  • sustainable production of wood and non-wood forest products

Why InnoForESt?
Forests are the backbone of our environment and our livelihood. They are a habitat for numerous plant and animal species, a place of recreation and an attraction for tourism. Forests filter air and water, prevent avalanches and landslides. They store carbon in trees and soils and thus protect our climate. And last but not least, they supply valuable wood as a sustainable renewable resource. In science, these advantages are referred to as “forest ecosystem services”. Securing their supply in the future requires new and unconventional approaches in forest management, in the economy in general and supporting political measures.
The InnoForESt project aims to identify, improve and disseminate promising innovative ideas that will benefit forest and forest-related enterprises, citizens and future generations.

Detailed project description
Throughout Europe, forest stakeholders are exploring new ways to reconcile the provision of forest ecosystem services with societal demands and economic necessities. A selection of six European initiatives forms the core of the project. They serve as good and successful practical examples, as network partners for exchange and as case studies for scientific analysis.
The project brings together 16 partner organisations from nine EU countries. The consortium includes forest and environmental administrations, wood processing and consulting companies, hunting associations, forest enterprises, landowners and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as European universities and research institutes. All partners are experienced in researching and developing novel policy and business models for forest ecosystem services. Through the close interaction of research and practice, InnoForESt will identify promising examples for the provision of diverse forest ecosystem services, learn from them and explore their opportunities and limitations.

The project also aims to explore the potential of transferring innovation to other regions or countries across Europe. The main aim is to identify influencing factors and framework conditions for a reliable establishment of innovation. Novel networks of actors within and outside the forestry sector will develop recommendations for decision-makers in politics and practice. Our networks are open to further innovators and ideas. In each case study region, “platforms for innovation” will be established. They are intended to facilitate cooperation and knowledge transfer. We invite all those who (want to) deal with innovation for the provision of forest ecosystem services to participate in our project activities.

Future project activities

  • Internationale project meeting von 29. – 31. October 2019

Previous project activities
So far, interviews with stakeholders, focus groups and two workshops have been conducted in the Eisenwurzen research region. The resulting innovation ideas as well as the workshop protocols and keynote speeches are available for download here.

Project partners
Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde, HNEE, Deutschland / Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V., ZALF, Deutschland / Suomen ympäristökeskus, SYKE, Finnland / Università degli Studi di Trento, UNITN, Italien / Centrum transdisciplinarnych studiicetio N.O., CETIP SK, Slowakei / Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Württemberg, FVA, Deutschland / Universiteit Twente, UT, Niederlande / Lunds Universitet, ULUND, Schweden / Universität Innsbruck, UIBK, Österreich / European Landowners Organization, ELO ASBL, Belgien / Studienzentrum für internationale Analysen (STUDIA), Österreich/ Suomen metsäkeskus – Finlands skogscentral, FFC, Finnland / Stiftung Akademie für Nachhaltige Entwicklung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, ANE, Deutschland / Provincia autonoma di Trento, PAT, Italien / IREAS, Institut pro Strukturalni Politiku OPS, IREAS CZ, Tschechische Republik / Universeum AB, Universeum, Schweden

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 under the Grant Agreement number 763899, InnoForESt project, within the Innovation Action.
Budget: 4,019 Mio. EURO
Procet duration: 11/2017 – 10/2020

Contact:
Wolfgang Baaske

Impressum
www.innoforest.eu
Twitter: @ InnoForESt

Meals on Wheels

“Meals on wheels” all over the Kirchdorf district

SHV_stella-de-smit-516866-unsplash_Photo by Stella de Smit on UnsplashTo be able to live within one’s own four walls as long as possible is an important concern for most elderly people. Meals on wheels is an important offer that makes this wish a reality. “If my mother is not cared for, she must go to the nursing home” This statement is often heard in the social counselling centres of the social welfare association Kirchdorf (SHV).
This is because the offer in the communities of the Kirchdorf district is highly varied. Kremsmünster, for example, is already celebrating the 30th anniversary of its meal service in 2019. Here and in other communities, committed volunteer deliverers take care of the supply. Many communities in the district, on the other hand, are still “white spots” on the supply map. However, the number of older and elderly people is also increasing in these communities. In addition, there are large differences in the prices for menus and deliveries.
Thus the SHV Kirchdorf started a project at the beginning of the year to develop a districtwide service covering the whole area. STUDIA is currently assessing the needs and the existing services in all municipalities of the district. Based on these results – taking into account the successful models that already exist in the district – a concept is to be developed that will enable a complete supply of “meals on wheels” for the entire district at uniform prices and framework conditions. This model will be tested in a pilot region at the beginning of 2020.

Quote Dr. Goppold (Chairman SHV Kirchdorf): “We are very proud of the existing initiatives. The staff do a lot to provide for our elderly at home. However, we would like to be able to provide for all people in need in the district and therefore make the offer better known. We also want to make use of synergy effects and develop approaches for further services.”

Contact: Hannah Politor

LTSER – local coordination

LTSER stands for Long-Term socio-ecological research. STUDIA is the node for LTSER communication in Upper Austria.

Gebirge

Local actors should become aware of the opportunities related to the platform, e.g. as a source of information, innovation and knowledge, as a clearing node for research questions, and partner for research and educational co-operative projects.

Contact: Wolfgang Baaske

Economic and ecological effects of changes in agricultural field size

Together with colleagues from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences inVienna, Lund University, the Bavarian State Institute of Agriculture and the University of Würzburg, Stefan Kirchweger has published a paper on “Do improved pollination services outweigh farm-economic disadvantages of working in small-structured agricultural landscapes? – Development and application of a bio-economic model” in the journal Ecological Economics. Using a spatially explicit landscape model, it is shown that an increase in agricultural field sizes leads to a significant decrease in pollination by wild bees and thus to lower yields on pollinator-dependent crops. This has a negative effect on agricultural revenues. In contrast, it is shown that the management of larger fields results in lower production costs and that this cost reduction is higher than the decrease in revenues. It is concluded that economic incentives and innovation will be needed in the future in order to manage small-scale farming structures profitably.

You can find the publication here.