Vienna (OTS) – Austria’s unique Gas Water trade fair and the ÖVGW Congress took place on June 19th and 20th, 2024 in Wels. The Austrian Association for the Gas and Water Industry (ÖVGW) organizes this annual industry meeting point for all those who work in gas and drinking water supply at the municipal level. 85 exhibitors from Austria, Germany and Switzerland were represented at the trade fair with their innovative services and products.
ÖVGW President Wolfgang Nöstlinger welcomed the Upper Austrian National Council member Laurenz as guests of honor Pöttinger and the Wels Housing Councilor Ralph Schäfer greet. In their statement, both guests of honor emphasized the importance and importance of the ÖVGW for gas and drinking water suppliers and were very impressed by the size of the trade fair and the congress. A total of around 1,000 visitors and conference participants were welcomed on the two days of the trade fair and conference.
Challenges in the drinking water sector
„The future holds many challenges for the drinking water industry, such as chemical substances as a threat to water quality, resilience of critical infrastructure against security incidents, cyber security, skills shortages and climate change
“, says ÖVGW President Wolfgang Nestlings at the opening of the congress. “We must do more to raise awareness among the population about the use of drinking water. Especially in water shortage situations, drinking water suppliers rely on the support of the population in order to ensure the long-term supply of drinking water
“, says ÖVGW President Nestlings. The ÖVGW is already taking further steps here and is trying to educate the population about, for example, how water supply works or how water can be used more economically – “with intelligence”. This is also why the website was created www.unsertrinkwasser.at created by the ÖVGW.
The future is hydrogen
„Given the imminent expiry of the gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia at the end of 2024, there is an increased risk that Russian gas will no longer reach Austria through Ukraine. Alternative sources of supply must therefore be developed in order to permanently replace the Russian gas quantities that are currently flowing to Austria
“, emphasizes ÖVGW Vice President Stefan Wagenhofer and adds: “Given the urgency, the government must take measures to quickly decide on the expansion and financing of the necessary gas infrastructure for alternative routes. This is the only way to ensure that larger volumes of gas from Germany and Italy can be transported to Austria
.“
Particularly with regard to climate protection, a timely conversion of the gas infrastructure to transport hydrogen would be important. “If the availability of the transport infrastructure can be trusted, investments in hydrogen production and the conversion of production processes to hydrogen will be planned and implemented. With around two billion euros, a high-performance hydrogen network can be built that is sufficiently dimensioned for the forecast demand and transit for 2050 and ensures connection to the European hydrogen network. However, this requires clear legal and regulatory frameworks as well as government guarantees for a hydrogen network in order to secure the necessary investment funds in the hydrogen infrastructure
“, said ÖVGW Vice President Wagenhofer as part of the opening of the congress.
The Congress
The ÖVGW congress focused on future-oriented ideas and services from the gas and water sectors. Top-class specialist lectures were the basis for intensive personal exchange with experts. The “Energy Transition with Green Gas” and “Innovations and Challenges in Gas Network Operation” were the main topics of the lectures at the ÖVGW Congress in the gas sector. In the water sector, this year the focus was on the “future of urban water management” and the focus was on the “Austrian drinking water supply”. Experts from science, politics and practice provided information and discussions on the individual key topics.
Keynote speaker Felix began with a simple, quiet “Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze.” Gottwald, Austria’s most successful Olympic athlete, gave the keynote speech at the ÖVGW Congress. “Assume. Align. Act. – Simply mastering change” was the title of the inspiring and motivating lecture, where many of the congress participants were able to take something away for themselves.
„An important point is also the exchange of experiences with one another
“, says ÖVGW President Wolfgang Nestlings. At the ÖVGW trade fair stand, those interested could exchange ideas with the experts from the ÖVGW office in so-called “expert talks” about topics relating to gas and drinking water supply, further training offers, personal, product and company certification or new communication measures.
The next ÖVGW congress and the Gas Wasser trade fair will take place on May 21st and 22nd, 2025 in Graz.
The ÖVGW
The Austrian Association for the Gas and Water Industry (ÖVGW) is the only, independent and voluntary interest group of Austrian gas network operators and Austrian drinking water suppliers. The ÖVGW counts 20 gas network operators and over 290 companies from the water sector among its members. Through cooperation with regional associations, the ÖVGW represents more than 2,000 water suppliers. These supply around 80% of the centrally supplied population with drinking water.
Questions & Contact:
Mag. Georg Amschl
Public relations ÖVGW
ÖVGW – Austrian Association for the Gas and Water Industry
1010 Vienna, Schubertring 14
Mobil +43 664 88 10 00 47
amschl@ovgw.at
www.ovgw.at | www.unsertrinkwasser.at | www.gruenes-gas.at