NEFI Conference 2024: Driving innovation together and shaping the path to climate neutrality

On October 24th and 25th, 2024, the innovation network NEFI – New Energy for Industry will host the third scientific conference in the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna. Together with high-level representatives from industry, research and politics, the NEFI experts discuss how the energy transition in Austrian industry can succeed as quickly as possible and with great opportunities for the location. In the run-up to the conference, scientific contributions could be submitted, which will be presented and discussed in the sessions.

Innovation laboratory NEFI+ presents innovation hubs

In close collaboration with over 120 partners, NEFI has set new standards in the area of industrial transformation over the last six years. Building on the successes to date, NEFI+ has now launched with six innovation hubs and acts as a catalyst for the development of projects that contribute to the further development of industry as part of the RTI initiative “Transformation of Industry”. The experts from the newly founded innovation laboratory NEFI+ will present and discuss their topics in scientific sessions for the first time at the conference. The six innovation hubs focus on key areas such as electrification and energy efficiency, flexibility, CO2-neutral gases and hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, circular economy and industrial symbiosis. In the nine scientific sessions of the conference, these topics will be deepened in order to advance practical research and demonstration projects in the next step.

Driving innovation globally: International keynotes on industrial transformation

As part of this year’s conference, three international experts will share their insights and ideas for developing a climate-neutral industry. Representatives from the European Commission, the British Ministry for Energy Security and the Swedish Energy Agency will present the latest findings and groundbreaking approaches.

NEFI Technology Talks on the paper industry and Austrian DC Pilot Factory

The well-known format of the NEFI Technology Talks, where researchers and experts from companies present and discuss an application case, is dedicated to the challenges of the paper industry and the development of an Austrian DC Pilot Factory as part of the conference. At over 16.5 TWh, the Austrian paper and pulp industry has a particularly high energy requirement for its production. The NEFI Technology Talk focuses on the role of energy efficiency, renewable gases, electrification and the circular economy on the path to decarbonization. The NEFI Technology Talk Austrian DC Pilot Factory is dedicated to innovative projects and solutions for the integration and implementation of DC applications in industry.

Presentation of the Young Scientist Award

Another highlight of the conference is the presentation of the NEFI Young Scientist Award. This award honors outstanding young scientists who make a significant contribution to the transformation of the energy system through their research.

NEFI community meeting: exchange and networking

The NEFI conference is more than just a scientific event – it is the central meeting of the NEFI community. The specialist event is aimed at national and international decision-makers and experts from politics, industry and research and offers an indispensable platform for exchange about the transformation of the industrial energy system.

Deadline

When: October 24/25, 2024 | Entry from 9:30 a.m. | Start: 10:00 a.m

Wo: MuseumsQuartier, Museumsplatz 1, A-1070 Vienna

Website: https://www.nefi.at/de/nefi-konferenz

About NEFI

NEFI – New Energy for Industry was founded as an innovation network for the transformation of industry in the “model energy region”. NEFI+ is the new innovation laboratory of the FTI Initiative for Industry Transformation of the Climate and Energy Fund. Significant practical research and demonstration projects for a climate-neutral industry are being developed in six innovation hubs. The innovation network NEFI-New Energy for Industry, with the network partners AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Montanuniversität Leoben, Upper Austrian Energy Saving Association and the Upper Austrian location agency Business Upper Austria, implements the development of the innovation hubs with its infrastructure, know-how and existing networks. Significant support comes from the two industrially strong federal states of Upper Austria and Styria. The constantly growing consortium with currently over 120 partners from companies, research institutes and public institutions is developing technological and systemic solutions in 24 projects that are intended to enable the energy transition in industry. The Climate and Energy Fund supports the NEFI projects with a total of 30.2 million euros, provided by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK). www.nefi.at