The Green Revolution: Wien Energie Sets Standards With the Donaustadt Power Plant

Alexander Kirchner

3 Min Read

The transformation of the Donaustadt power plant is not only a trailblazer for other companies, but also a clear signal that sustainable energy generation is the future. With impressive figures, impressive efficiency rates and innovative technologies , Wien Energie is setting standards in the industry.

Amid the changing energy landscape, Vienna is sending a clear signal for the future. Wien Energie’s “Green Power Plant Donaustadt” is positioned as a pioneering future project. On the path to the energy revolution, it is characterised by innovation, sustainability, and a clear commitment to an environmentally friendly energy supply.

Sporty timetable for a sustainable future

The ambitious vision of replacing natural gas in Vienna’s energy generation with climate-neutral energy sources by 2040 is taking shape. Wien Energie realised a cooperation project with RheinEnergie, Siemens Energy, and Verbund at the Donaustadt power plant to restructure one of Austria’s largest gas turbines to integrate hydrogen as a climate-neutral energy source. A globally unique operating test on a commercially utilised gas and steam turbine plant in this power class was successfully carried out in 2023.

Increased efficiency and CO2 savings

The first step in this pioneering project was the conversion of the gas turbine, which not only enabled the integration of hydrogen, but also led to an impressive increase in the efficiency of the power plant by around 23 megawatts. The use of 15 percent hydrogen by volume could save 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Focus on sustainable energy generation

The green revolution is becoming a reality at the Donaustadt power plant. Wien Energie is demonstrating that sustainable energy generation is not only necessary, but also makes economic sense. The project goes beyond a simple construction project and symbolises the shift towards a sustainable energy supply. State-of-the-art technologies for utilising biomass, waste heat and renewable resources are setting new standards in terms of environmental friendliness. The focus on energy efficiency is crucial to meeting the challenges of the energy transition.

A look into the future

The transformation of the Donaustadt power plant is not only a trailblazer for other companies, but also a clear signal that sustainable energy generation is the future. With impressive figures, impressive efficiency rates and innovative technologies, Wien Energie is setting standards in the industry. Vienna is proving that a green future is not just a vision but can already be a reality – and the Donaustadt power plant is shining proof of this.

DI Alexander Kirchner, MBA
Head of the Asset Operation and Service division and an authorised signatory of Wien Energie gmbH, Alexander Kirchner is responsible for the operation of all Wien Energie’s energy generation and waste recycling plants.  Important focus areas for him include decarbonisation and the circular economy.
 
In addition to his current role, he is also the managing director of Pama-Gols Windkraftanlagenbetriebs GmbH.  He also holds positions in various national and international interest groups, including heading up the Sector Coupling Technologies & Decarbonisation working group at Österreichs Energie, sitting on the board of directors at TÜV Austria and at the Association of Public Waste Management Companies (VÖA), and working as Vice President Austria at the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP).

DI Alexander Kirchner, MBA

Head of the “Asset Operation and Service” division
Wien Energie GmbH

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