Energy Infrastructure 2040 - Scenarios and Expansion Plans for a Sustainable Economic System in Austria

The general objective of this project is the comprehensive elaboration and evaluation of three expansion scenarios for the energy infrastructure of the energy carriers electricity, gas, and heat to enable a sustainable, climate-neutral economic and energy system in Austria by 2040. We apply a model-based investigation approach in which we establish a soft link between three models (ATLANTIS, HyFlow, ASCANIO), specialised and proven for their respective purpose of investigation. We then develop infrastructure expansion plans for three different scenarios (import and export-orientation, sector coupling, and energy efficiency). A multi-criteria analysis and assessment synthesises technical, techno-economic, macroeconomic, and environmental aspects and allows a systematic and comprehensive comparison of the scenarios. A GIS-based and web-enabled map for energy infrastructures, potentials of renewable energies and sectoral energy demands ensures a clear and user-friendly presentation of the complex interrelationships. By intensively involving a broad range of stakeholders in a series of five specialised workshops, we integrate additional expertise and take industry ideas and requirements into account. The project results represent a solid basis for decision making, in particular for the preparation of the integrated grid infrastructure plan.