SmartBuildingsCompass

The Austrian government's climate plan presented today is half-baked and promises to be highly controversial: The diesel privilege and tax benefits for company cars are to be abolished and the commuter allowance reformed. The high subsidies for replacing heating systems and renovating buildings are to be retained, while renewable energies, CO2 storage and hydrogen production are to be developed and expanded. Many measures are now being shaped into concrete measures by the Ministry of Finance, concrete laws are missing. This means that the document presented remains only a vague basis on which the next government must now build something concrete. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dM__iiDD

The energy transition is a global challenge - and is being implemented locally: It means decentralisation and much more local energy production. In addition to the issues of energy security and affordable energy, there is also legal pressure - for example in Germany: With the Heat Planning Act, large municipalities need a heating plan by mid-2026, smaller ones by mid-2028. In this context, orientation is needed: Which technologies are available and which should a village or region focus on? The short study "Heat transition in the village" by Scientists for Future analysed the market for alternative heat sources and highlights the limits and myths of alternative heating systems. At the same time, it analyses how the heating transition can be made affordable. My thanks go to Dr. Jens Clausen from Scientists For Future #S4F, lead author of the study, for the fascinating interview: What makes heat transition projects successful 👉 https://lnkd.in/diVXTXAV #energytransition #heattransition #regions #villages

In view of the high costs of financing, materials and personnel, affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult to organize. High construction costs also mean higher rents. Standardization, efficiency and a high degree of prefabrication help to make housing more affordable. To understand the mechanisms, we interviewed Rafael Lughammer, Managing Partner of the LZH Group. #AffordableHousing #InnovationInConstruction #HousingSolutions #ConstructionIndustry #FutureOfHousing 👉 https://lnkd.in/d8RKhhTS

The vision sounded promising: Masdar City was to become the Emirates' ecological showcase project. The eco-city of the future, where energy is produced exclusively from the sun and wind. In which there are no emissions and virtually no waste, and in which innovative mobility concepts make private cars obsolete. The necessary energy consumption should only be a quarter of what it is today. A university campus for sustainable energy was also planned in collaboration with MIT. Launched in 2008, the project was originally scheduled for completion in 2016 - completion has now been postponed until 2030. The first match of reality vs. vision went 1:0 in favor of reality. What happened - or rather: What didn't happen? Read more: https://lnkd.in/dXiCkYS3 #energytransition #masdarcity #changemanagement

🌍 Global care crisis: There are more and more people who need care, but far too few people who are interested in a job in the care sector. The result is a steady worsening of the situation for families and those affected. By integrating technology, we can significantly improve the quality of life for caregivers as well as for those in need of care and their relatives. Innovative solutions such as those from the Austrian HerzensApp GmbH demonstrate it: The HerzensApp offers families a better overview of home care and improves communication and documentation. It is free of charge for families and can be used in 16 languages. Co-founder Oliver Wimmer also talks in our interview about his impressions from Silicon Valley - when he realized that the challenges in care are causing universal pressure on families: One of the five largest care providers has to turn down 70% (!) of requests because the demand is greater than the supply, in the USA too. 🔗 The full interview is available here: https://lnkd.in/dYfmVyHU #Care #DigitalHealth #Innovation #HealthTech Many thanks to Oliver Wimmer and Thomas Reiter for the inspiring interview!

With the transition of steel production to electric arc furnaces, steel scrap is becoming a scarce and strategic resource worldwide. The future viability of the steel industry in these countries depends on the availability of this valuable waste material. The construction sector will also have to make its contribution here: By switching to a circular economy. Who is already ahead of us here? China! Their scrap trade has already largely decoupled itself from the global market. Interview partner and complexity researcher Peter Klimek calls for export strategies to be rethought: "At the same time, many countries in Europe are currently relying on scrap exports and are therefore running the risk of parting with a valuable raw material for their own industry." The circular economy for steel is a great opportunity for companies: The future steel scrap market will generate a turnover of 1 billion US dollars in Austria alone and will require up to 2,000 new employees. Thanks to Peter Klimek for the interview and Romana Feitsch for the support! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dTJSVqDM You can find our newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/dZf8CbyJ #steel #energytransition #building #innovation

👉 What are the consequences of the increasingly frequent negative prices for electricity? We spoke to Peter J. Zehetner, PMP, Managing Director of the Austrian energy supplier KWG: "Negative electricity prices are a threat to the energy transition". And: The funding of the "last mile" of the electricity grids to the end consumer is not assured. This is because banks do not accept a power line for securing a loan. So there must either be some kind of federal guarantee that the banks can finance the further expansion of the regional electricity grids. Or the banks would have to abandon their current view of securing a loan. 👉 ⚡️🌱 #Energyindustry #Electricityprices #Sustainability #Innovation #SmartBuildingsCompass https://lnkd.in/dXCkaZpi

👉 Wind power produces energy even in winter and when the sun is not shining. Subjectively, according to some readers, the wind also seems to have increased. That's why they wanted this story: Does a small wind power plant make sense for a private household? Is the wind really increasing? We also took a closer look: What are the basic things to look out for in such a project? What is the legal framework, taking Austria as an example? Thank you Anton Ettl and Martin Fliegenschnee-Jaksch for your insights! Our conclusion: As is so often the case, it's complicated... https://lnkd.in/d832QvCC

🚀 Your insights are important! 🌟 📊 Take a moment to take part in our short survey (5 min) on the energy transition, building and renovation. Help us to reshape communication on the technologies of the future. Your contribution will help us to better understand the trends and challenges facing the industry so that we can develop innovative solutions that drive progress. Your opinion is invaluable - let's work together to create a brighter and more inclusive future for the tech community. Don't miss the opportunity to make your voice heard! #EnergyTransition #Survey #Innovation #TechCommunity #FutureOfLiving #FutureBuildings Take part in the survey now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dcXcPTp2

As cities evolve, so do the needs of their inhabitants. In light of demographic shifts worldwide, the integration of older adults into urban life has become increasingly crucial. Smart city strategies play a pivotal role in providing orientation and support, thereby enhancing the quality of life for seniors. These concepts foster greater independence and mobility for older adults, eliminating barriers and creating inclusive surroundings where individuals of all ages can navigate the city safely and comfortably, actively participating in urban life. With Japan facing significant demographic challenges, there's a pressing need for innovative solutions. Europe also demonstrates promising initiatives aimed at integrating the older generation seamlessly into urban life. In essence, the evolution towards smart cities not only represents the future but also holds the potential to enhance the lives of older adults in urban environments. It's time to continue advancing these concepts to ensure that cities are accessible and livable for people of all ages. #SmartCities #AgeFriendlyCities #UrbanInnovation #DigitalInclusion https://lnkd.in/dXwDRXBx