Research

The estimation of energy production losses due to residual or environmental flows was carried out around 20 years ago. That assessment was based on simplified assumptions, especially regarding the hydrology and small hydropower. The improved availability of data, as well as findings from measures already implemented, should now help to provide a more accurate estimate of generation losses. The analyses will not only update the figures from the previous, but also determine the effects of gradual increases in residual flow until the full implementation of the WFD.

The project "development in flood prone areas: assessment of flood management alternatives" has the goal to develope integrated strategies to reduce flood risk at the federal level to support the implementation of the EU flood risk directive. Previous project have shown the necessity to analyse and to assess the various flood risk management alternatives. There seems to be also the need for an improved communication and cooperation among the various actors in this domain. The instruments should be assesed with respect to legislative and economic criteria and their potential for integrated application to reduce flood risk. The deficits of the instruments should be assessed especially in APSFR regions.

Scientific management of the research program "StartClim_2024" The climate research program StartClim was founded in 2002 by the climate research initiative AustroClim together with the Ministry of Environment. It is a flexible instrument that can quickly address current issues in the field of climate change due to its short duration and annual allocation of projects. Within the framework of StartClim projects, new topics related to climate or climate change can and should be researched in an interdisciplinary manner from a wide variety of perspectives and by a wide variety of disciplines. In the project "StartClim2024 - Scientific coordination" the scientific management for the quality assurance of the implementation of the StartClim program in the tender period 2024 is implemented.