What is different to other seminars?

• Learn from the best and spend three intensive days in the leading sustainable bioheat region!
• Get the most up-to-date knowledge from bioenergy experts working in businesses,  associations, research organisations and public bodies.
• Profit from our hands-on approach: half of the seminar time is on-site training, the other is "classroom" training.
• See the whole bioheat supply chain in action: from equipment and fuel manufacturers to biomass logistics and a range of different plants in operation.
• Benefit from an enjoyable learning atmosphere and develop long lasting partnerships with bioenergy experts from around the globe.
• Enjoy Austrian hospitality!

Upper Austria – a bioenergy region

Upper Austria is one of Austria’s nine federal states/regions and has a population of 1.5 million. It holds a leading position in bioheat: 17 % of primary energy comes from sustainable biomass, 37 % of dwellings are heated with clean bioenergy and there are over 6,000 jobs in the bioheat industry. Upper Austria has one of the highest densities of small-scale automatic bioenergy heating systems in the world.

The region has given political priority to energy efficiency and renewable energy since the mid-90s. Renewables currently cover 33 % of the region’s primary energy demand: 16 % bioenergy, 11 % hydropower, and 6 % solar and other renewable energy sources. 60 % of all space heating already comes from renewable and waste heat. Strategic decision-making and comprehensive actions in sustainable energy policies have resulted in high-performing markets for clean heating. Bioenergy is an important economic driver for the region and plays a key role in the region’s ambitions for achieving climate neutrality. Over 1 billion Euro per year are invested in biomass fuels and equipment.

The Organiser

The International Training Seminar is organised by the Energy Academy of the OÖ Energiesparverband, the regional energy agency of Upper Austria.
OÖ Energiesparverband drives the energy transition by promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, e-mobility and innovative energy technologies. It provides comprehensive services to citizens, municipalities and businesses of all sizes. It carries out over 10,000 face-to-face energy advice sessions each year. It also supports energy technology companies in the Cleantech-Cluster.

In the context of its Energy Academy, OÖ Energiesparverband holds over 30 training courses with more than 1,000 participants each year. It is also the organiser of the European Pellet Conference, the world's largest annual event on wood pellets.

Cleantech-Cluster

The Cleantech-Cluster (CTC) is the platform for energy and environmental technology companies in Upper Austria. It supports innovation, competitiveness and visibility of its more than 250 partner companies. It contributes to market growth across the entire value chains in the fields of sustainable energy and environmental technologies. In the energy technology sector, partner companies employ over 7,000 people and achieve a combined annual turnover of more than 2.5 billion Euro. More than 25 % of all modern small-scale bioenergy boilers installed in the EU are manufactured by Upper Austrian companies and pellet heating systems have become a standard solution in the region.

What is sustainable bioheat?

According to the IEA, forest bioenergy is an important part of sustainable energy provision in Europe, particularly for heat production. It is therefore a key piece of the energy transition and energy security. Over 90 % of biomass used for energy comes from European resources. Sustainably managed forests continue to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. In addition to timber or pulpwood, they provide important amounts of low quality wood resources and residues that can be used for energy. No forests have to be cut down for it.

The development of the bioheat market in Austria stands on three quality pillars:

• sustainable forestry practices
• careful fuel production and effective distribution
• efficient and low-emission heating equipment

Bioenergy comes from CO₂-neutral and sustainable fuels (mostly pellets and wood chips) produced from residues from sustainable forestry and byproducts from the wood industry. The quality and convenience of modern, fully automated, ultra-low emission heating equipment generate consumer trust. Strict criteria ensure that only highly efficient technologies are installed.

Linz

Linz is the third largest city of Austria and the capital of the region of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich). It is located in the north of Austria, on both sides of the Danube river. The city has a population of 211,000. Named the "Cultural Capital of Europe" in 2009, Linz combines an industrial heritage with modern cultural highlights (e.g. Ars Electronica Center, Lentos Art Museum, modern opera house etc.).

Participant feedback from previous years

"All fields of bioheat were covered and were explained with concrete examples."
"I very much appreciated the practical orientation of the seminar."
"The technical sessions and site visits were well balanced."
"The seminar was outstanding: well-designed, broad in scope and informative."
"All speakers showed enthusiasm for their subject and the level of technical details was excellent."
"I will recommend the seminar to others in the future."
"It was one of the most interesting trainings I have ever participated in. The hosts were excellent, and I especially appreciated the attention paid to providing us with a nice atmosphere.”