Students Experience Renewable Energies: From Biomass in Krems to Floating PV in Grafenwörth
09 July, 2025
As part of the Renewable Energy Laboratory course, students at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien gained practical insights into sustainable energy production. The program included visits to a biomass cogeneration plant and Austria’s largest floating photovoltaic system.
The CIREL (Renewable Energy Laboratory) course is part of the Campus International program for incoming students. In the summer semester of 2025, it was supplemented by a particularly practical component: On June 3, 2025, the excursion group first visited the Krems biomass cogeneration plant, which is operated by EVN. There, they not only learned how the plant works, but also saw technical details on site – from fuel logistics to electricity and heat generation.
Austria’s largest floating PV plant
Another highlight on the same day was a visit to the photovoltaic open-space plant in Grafenwörth – a floating PV plant on a quarry pond, which is considered the largest of its kind in Austria. This innovative technology uses existing water surfaces and thus minimizes land consumption, a central aspect of sustainable land use. The students discussed the challenges and potential of this solution on site, including cooling effects, grid integration, and maintenance.
Making sustainability tangible
The excursion was organized in close cooperation with EVN and offered students not only factual knowledge but also first-hand impressions of the practical use of renewable energy systems. Contact with local experts who shared their experience and know-how provided a deeper understanding of the technical, economic, and ecological interrelationships.
Further links:
Master’s program in Renewable Energy Engineering
Faculty of Industrial Engineering
EVN – Biomass cogeneration plant in Krems
EVN – Largest floating PV plant in Central Europe in Grafenwörth