As climate services transition from pure data provision to tailored decision support systems, they require a mechanism to translate heterogeneous user needs into functional design. Despite the consensus on user-centeredness, systematic frameworks focusing on usability and uptake remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by developing prototypical Personas through a multi-stage co-creation approach. Based on quantitative survey data [n = 171], qualitative interviews [n = 23] and four focus group discussions, we identify key traits and selection criteria that categorize users not just by profession, but by their specific decision-making contexts and technical capabilities.Our results identify six distinct Personas – Spatial Planner (m), Manager for Climate Change Adaptation Model Regions (f), Actuary (f), Environmental Lobbyist (m), Tropical Medicine Specialist (f), Journalist (m) – that highlight distinct user requirements relevant for climate service design. Rather than representing every potential user, these Personas synthesize the most critical target groups and their requirements. Our findings reveal that while professional groups differ in their service usage, the primary determinant for design is not a user's profession, but their specific application context and interpretation needs.We show that different sectors often require similar products. While some users need easily accessible pre-processed information like ready-to-use maps, factsheets and text descriptions, others require data for custom interpretation and performing specific assessments. This study proposes the use of Personas as a strategic transition layer between scientific complexity and user-centricity. We discuss the potential of this approach to support the design of climate information that is not only scientifically robust but actionable.

City administration is struggling with steering urban development into a climate resilient direction and needs supportive guidelines for informed decision-making. The results of this research present a planning criteria catalogue to identify microclimate-sensitive development projects to the surrounding area. It provides selected parameters and thresholds characterizing construction projects to request spatially extended microclimatic evaluations based on changes of expected spatial extension and intensity of 2 m air temperature in the surrounding area. To quantify the impact of project characteristics on this evaluation metric in the neighborhood, 50 experiments were conducted for inner-city and periphery domains using the urban climate model PALM with varying static input parameters including area size, building height, and Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classifications representing different building densities and soil sealing patterns. The resulting impacts are evaluated in a distance of 50-100 meters from construction sites. Development projects in an LCZ compact style, showed air temperature increases of up to 1.5 degrees C during evening hours in an inner-city domain. LCZ open configurations caused slightly higher temperatures during the night and morning hours of up to 0.7 degrees C. For a periphery domain, LCZ open did not show any notable impact on the surroundings, while LCZ large low-rise caused persistent temperature increases peaking at 1.5 degrees C in evening hours. Based on these findings, a practical catalogue of criteria was developed to guide authorities in determining when spatially extended microclimate analyses (including the potentially affected neighborhood) should be required or recommended. The study suggests extended assessments when air temperature changes exceed 1 degrees C in surrounding areas during any time during the day, which is particularly the case for compact and large low-rise built environments. This quantitative framework guides authorities to decide in which cases a climate simulation is recommended or required for the assessment of projects with potential significant microclimatic impacts on neighborhoods.

The increasing heat load for the population in urban areas raises the need for comprehensive monitoring networks to understand local climate variations and to support municipalities with their climate adaptation strategies. However, identifying optimal locations for monitoring stations remains challenging. Therefore, this study presents a quantitative siting method identifying the most suitable locations for an urban meteorological monitoring network in the city of Linz, Austria. The approach combines the concept of Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classification with high-resolution urban climate modeling using PALM. Our methodology integrates static LCZ information with dynamic meteorological data simulated with PALM at 10 m spatial resolution, representing a typical summer day under autochthonous weather conditions. To ensure that spatial variability of the urban climate is captured in future measurements across and within LCZ, six meteorological criteria were applied for site selection. A percentile-based method was used to define temperature thresholds and solar exposure patterns, enabling the identification of areas with different thermal conditions within one LCZ. The combination of LCZ and PALM data together with possible mounting locations led to strategically placed 54 measurement sites distributed across LCZ classes in the city. Temperature time series from the modeled data at selected locations demonstrate the future network's ability to capture urban climate variability, including varying diurnal patterns and daily extremes across different microclimates and urban structures. Thus, the study effectively combines the LCZ representativeness with the spatial detail of high-resolution modeling, providing a transferable framework for quantitative site selection of urban climate monitoring networks.

Over the past years, microclimate simulations and analyses became an important tool for the impact assessment of different planning scenarios of real estate projects on a local site. Based on the results of evaluated scenarios, the need for (additional) climate adaptation measures can be identified and improved design concepts might be realized. While this process led to several positive developments and best practice examples, the impact of a building project on the microclimate of the surrounding areas in spatial proximity to the development area is often still neglected. Especially if formerly green areas are sealed, cold-air production areas are lost, or cold-air corridors blocked. Even positively assessed microclimate studies for the local site itself, can have a negative effect on the microclimate of the surrounding area. While large urban planning projects (e.g., area size > 15 ha) in Austria require environmental impact assessments, policy makers and administrative units lack objective criteria to request spatially extended microclimate analyses for medium sized projects that not only affect the development area but also the neighbouring quarters. In the prevalent research project, “Development of a criteria catalogue for requiring extended microclimate analyses”, funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and carried out under the program "Austrian Climate Research Programme Implementation", potential microclimatic impact of urban planning projects on their surroundings during autochthonous weather conditions in summer is evaluated through sensitivity experiments with the urban climate model PALM-4U. Based on the concept of Local Climate Zones (LCZ), idealized real estate projects are set up in two locations (inner city and periphery) of the city of Linz (Austria). For each location, the following selected characteristics of static input data are varied: (1) size of building site, (2) building footprint, (3) building height, and (4) degree of soil sealing. By comparing simulation results to the reference scenario of an unsealed, green area, the potential impact in terms of intensity and spatial range is assessed. Results of the sensitivity experiments are used to compile a compact set of criteria, which allows policy makers and administrative units to request spatially extended microclimate analyses to evaluate effects of medium sized urban planning projects on the district-wide microclimate if impacts are expected.

Global warming, which has accelerated significantly since 1970, is driving rapid and observable climate change (IPCC AR6 2023). Southern European countries, particularly those in the Mediterranean region, are disproportionately affected due to their already hot and dry summer climates, making them highly vulnerable to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. Climate change exacerbate the situation, leading to more frequent extreme weather events and critical challenges such as heatwaves, droughts, and both fluvial and pluvial flooding.In the ClimEmpower project[1] [2], funded under the Horizon Europe program, five South-European regions characterized by high climate risk and low adaptive capacity were studied to strengthen climate resilience. To empower these regions, a comprehensive analysis of climate-related data, services, and resilience indicators was conducted and regional partners involved to understand their specific needs and primary climate-related challenges, and to identify critical gaps along with methodologies to address them. A key focus of this inter- and transdisciplinary approach was the development and study of resilience indicators, which are essential for assessing the current state of resilience in these regions and for monitoring progress towards improved resilience over time.This paper presents key findings from the comprehensive analysis of existing datasets and services related to climate hazards, impacts, exposure, and vulnerabilities, as well as gaps identified through collaboration with regional stakeholders. Additionally, an overview of climate change resilience indicators is provided which is based on an extensive analysis of approximately 500 indicators across climate, socio-economic, and governance domains. The analysis reveals an uneven distribution of indicators across different sectors, with a predominant focus on environmental, economic, and governance topics, while critical areas such as water and waste management, food security, and urban planning are notably underrepresented. Significant gaps between available data and indicators for representing region-specific needs were identified, highlighting the importance of prioritizing indicators that are meaningful and actionable for localized adaptation efforts.Concluding, the study demonstrates that not all indicators hold equal relevance across all regions and quality, and relevance should be prioritized over the sheer quantity of indicators. Thus, the emphasis should be placed on indicators with high significance and ability to support the development of region-specific pathways to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable South-European regions, ensuring that resources are directed toward the most critical areas of need. [1] Climempower.eu. ABOUT—ClimEMPOWER. 2023. Available online: https://climempower.eu/about/ (accessed on 9 January 2025). [2] Xekalakis, G.; Lopez, P.M.; Ruiz, M.A.; Tötzer, T.; Kaleta, P.; Karystinakis, K.; Moumtzidou, A.; Forjan, R.; Christou, P.; Anastasiou, C.; et al. User-Driven Climate Resilience Across Southern European Regions. Climate 2025, 13, 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13010002

Cities are facing multiple problems due to the combined effects of climate change and the growing urbanization. Especially the rising global temperatures worsen the urban heat island (UHI) effect and therefore demand sustainable counteracting measures. Nature-based solutions are effective adaptation measures since they balance the ambient air temperature and improve the overall well-being. However, evidence is scarce on the potential effects of greening a city on the number of tropical nights and heat wave days. In the presented study the effects of large-scale greening within Vienna are analysed to quantify their effect on prevailing summer temperatures and to display their potential in increasing cities’ resilience with respect to ongoing anthropogenic climate change. The analysis is done using the COSMO-CLM climate model, with a specific urban extension. The model runs, representing different percentages of greening within the city, were conducted at 1 km² resolution for four scenarios: First, the status quo, second a moderate greening, third a maximum greening and finally a simulation with all surfaces sealed (worst case). Using this setup, 17 years were simulated, thereby allowing to assess the long-term effect of urban greenery on climate indicators such as number of tropical nights or summer days, which is not feasible by urban or micro climate models. The results display a strong positive effect of the greening on the morning and afternoon temperatures and especially on the night temperatures due to the altered heat storage characteristics of sealed vs unsealed areas. Furthermore, it is shown that the positive effect of substantial greening increases with higher maximum temperatures, an effect that has not been investigated so far by other studies. On the contrast, sealing of currently open areas worsens the UHI effect significantly. The simulation results give an important indication for the value and importance of integrating green in urban planning, especially regarding an intensification of the Urban Heat Island effect through climate change.

This study presents the ClimEmpower framework, a user-driven approach to enhancing climate resilience across five climate-vulnerable regions in Southern Europe: Costa del Sol (Spain), Central Greece, the Troodos Mountains (Cyprus), Osijek-Baranja County (Croatia), and Sicily (Italy). The project employs a region-specific methodology that integrates climate risk assessments, stakeholder engagement through Communities of Practice (CoPs), and the development of innovative climate services tailored to local needs. These regions, characterized by unique environmental and socio-economic vulnerabilities, face shared hazards such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods, alongside region-specific challenges like salinization and biodiversity loss. ClimEmpower identifies critical gaps in high-resolution data, cross-sectoral collaboration, and capacity-building efforts, underscoring barriers to effective adaptation. This work aims to provide a foundational resource, offering a comprehensive overview of the current situation, including needs, gaps, priorities, and expectations across the target regions. By establishing this baseline, it facilitates future research and comparative analyses, contributing to the development of robust, region-specific resilience strategies. The ClimEmpower framework offers scalable and replicable solutions aligned with the European Green Deal’s climate resilience goals, advancing adaptation planning and providing actionable insights for broader European initiatives.

There is high demand for reliable climate information. But which aspects are most crucial for the development of useful and usable climate services, i.e. provision of products and services besides pure data? Which implications can be derived for the next generation of Austrian climate scenarios? The project team of Use.AT provides 5 key recommendations, based on their research results.

Urban areas are severely affected by climate change, as the associated increase in temperature and precipitation intensity are further exacerbated by the prevailing morphology of densely built areas and the prevalence of sealed surfaces. Especially heat has been recognised as an increasing risk and therefore, appropriate adaptation measures such as nature-based solutions (NbS) have been studied extensively.Space is scarce and valuable in cities and the usability of urban spaces has gained a growing attention in the last years – not only in the sense of climate adaptation but also for climate protection, as the energy transition calls for the implementation of renewable energy sources, where public spaces offer great potential for PV-suitable areas. In addition, an increasing number of people living in cities demand more living space and put even more pressure on available public spaces.These three aspects form the basis of the presented study, where a highly frequented public space, the Volkertplatz in Vienna is chosen to be transformed into a climate-resilient, user-friendly and energy-generating space. To achieve this, the following steps are necessary: (i) analysis of the current and future local climate conditions, (ii) incorporating and understanding the needs of the local users, (iii) design of the BARTLETT (Blue-green energy-generating canopied seating and communication facility) and (iv) implementation of an appropriate process of involvement of the local authorities.The analyses show that the current design of the space prevents the infiltration of rainwater, intensifies the prevailing heat load in summer and mainly meets the needs of male users. Therefore, the transformed space needs to reduce the identified barriers in order to improve the quality of the Volkertplatz. A key element is the BARTLETT, a construction that improves the local microclimate, collects rainwater for irrigation of the plants and produces energy through the installed PV collectors. Furthermore, the design enhances the usability of the square by different groups, providing both open and more hidden spaces. To ensure the acceptance of local citizens, their needs have been identified, their behaviour observed, and their opinions incorporated through workshops. As important as the local support, is the timely involvement of relevant political stakeholders, which is ensured by the project partners and collected in a handbook to allow transferability to other public spaces.

Zusammenfassung Die Technische Zusammenfassung des APCC-Sonderberichts ″Landnutzung und Klimawandel in Österreich″ umfasst die Kernbotschaften der Kapitel 1–9. In ihr sind die Hauptaussagen zu den sozioökonomischen und klimatischen Treibern der Landnutzungsänderungen, zu den Auswirkungen von Landnutzung und -bewirtschaftung auf den Klimawandel, zu Minderungs- und Anpassungsoptionen im Kontext nachhaltiger Entwicklungsziele sowie zu Synergien, Zielkonflikten und Umsetzungsbarrieren von Klimamaßnahmen enthalten.

Zusammenfassung Aufgrund der Größe der betroffenen Landflächen, den bei ihrer Nutzung emittierten und sequestrierten Treibhausgasen (THG) und des teilweise ungünstigen Zustands von Böden in Hinblick auf ihren Gehalt an organisch gebundenem Kohlenstoff (C) kommt der Landnutzung a priori eine wichtige Rolle bei Mitigationsbemühungen zu. Zur Minderung des Klimawandels ist eine Verringerung der atmosphärischen CO2-Konzentration erforderlich, die durch eine Abnahme der THG-Emissionen und durch Aufnahme und langfristige Speicherung von atmosphärischem Kohlenstoff in Biomasse und Boden erreicht werden kann (Chenu et al., 2019; Mayer et al., 2018; Paustian et al., 2016; Vos et al., 2018). Der Erhaltung bzw. idealerweise Erhöhung der organischen Substanz des Bodens durch geeignete Bodenschutzmaßnahmen kommt entscheidende Bedeutung zu.

Zusammenfassung Es existiert eine Fülle von potenziellen Maßnahmen der Klimawandelanpassung und Emissionsminderung im Bereich der Landnutzung. Allerdings stehen Klimawandelanpassung und Emissionsminderung nicht notwendigerweise in einem synergistischen Zusammenhang. Neben der Klimarelevanz sind auch andere Kriterien von Bedeutung, wenn die integrative Leistungsfähigkeit von Maßnahmen bewertet werden soll. Dazu gehören vor allem mögliche und erwartete Auswirkungen auf die Biodiversität und denWasserhaushalt. Dieses Kapitel fasst die Klimawandelanpassungs- und Emissionsminderungsmaßnahmen und ihre Auswirkungen tabellarisch zusammen. Dabei soll eine integrative, übersichtliche Bewertung der im Special Report behandelten Maßnahmen ermöglicht werden.

In the face of climate change and rising mean global temperature, urban planning is required to transform cities into resilient living areas for present and future generations. Within this task, microclimate simulation models are an important tool to assess the impact of nature-based solutions (NBSs), building morphology, design of urban quarters, and other measures on the local microclimate. As simulation tools are open to be applied by different user groups, the utilization of the software is often kept as easy as possible. This seeming simplicity bears the risk for users to fall into traps during the model configuration, interpretation of results, or not making use of the full potential of simulations. While scientific literature mainly describes successful application of case studies, it does not cover potential misapplication and related consequences. The present study contributes to closing this research gap and supports the urban planning community with a selection of pitfalls in the model setup and interpretation of results. Clear examples of wrong configuration of wind direction, inaccurate evaluation of mean radiant temperature (MRT), and improper selection of performance indicators are presented by the means of sensitivity experiments and case studies with the modeling software ENVI-Met. The prevailing study demonstrates why MRT values are not suitable to explain effects of NBS during nighttime and contrasts the effects of facade greening on air temperature (0.85 degrees C) with building surface temperature (6.1 degrees C or even 27.5 degrees C with substrate layer). In addition, it highlights the potentials of the multitude of possible performance indicators of microclimate simulations. The selection of avoidable mistakes in the assessment of the local microclimate supports users of microclimate models to promote effective and impactful climate adaption and mitigation measures in urban planning.

Since almost half of the world’s population lives in cities and another third in settlements with similar characteristics, the current and future impacts of climate change in cities is of greatest importance. The characteristics of urban environments (reduced long-wave emissions towards the sky due to the blockage effect of the surrounding buildings, construction materials, anthropogenic heat production, lack of green and blue infrastructure) further increase ambient temperatures and cause urban heat islands. Nature-based solutions (NbS) have widely been investigated as a remedy to this challenge, which is quickly worsening due to the combined effects of climate change and the rapid densification of urban settlements. NbS cover a wide scope of measures such as planting roadside trees, greening facades or roofs, re-naturalizing rivers or unsealing of parking spaces to allow rainwater to penetrate and enable evapotranspiration. Yet, the widespread implementation of NbS often meets political, social, legal, financial or spatial barriers. In the presented study we combine interdisciplinary expertise from natural to social and economic sciences and a wide range of methods to evaluate and illustrate, exemplarily for the city of Vienna, how urban areas can implement NbS and overcome the aforementioned barriers. Therefore, (1) a list of possible NbS is compiled; (2), their performance is quantified through numerical micro-climate simulations, (3) their impact and potential trade-offs applying a socio-spatial analysis and survey, (4) individual preferences and willingness to pay are analyzed for a representative sample of 2,181 Viennese residents using a choice experiment, and finally, (5) a consolidated list of NbS is validated within policy workshops.Using this approach we find that substantially transforming an existing quarter by implementing green and blue infrastructure, as well as technical solutions (e.g. sun blinds) may reduce the ambient air temperature by up to 2°C and the mean radiant temperature on some surfaces by up to 45°C, with natural measures being more effective than technical ones. Implementing these measures within the whole city of Vienna may yield a similar temperature effect. The socio-spatial vulnerability assessment identifies few areas where a strong overrepresentation of vulnerable age groups, low-income residents and housing vulnerabilities coincide. In the city of Vienna, green gentrification owing to rising housing prices for already vulnerable groups thus seems to be very limited, especially as long-standing social housing policies and a rather strict regulation of the private housing markets lead to comparatively stable rent levels. The choice experiment shows a substantial willingness to pay for NbS, suggesting that Viennese citizens would financially support the implementation and maintenance of extensive greening measures. However, the politicians fear the conflicts with the citizens and other political parties as well as stakeholders. Stakeholders from the city authorities map potential physical and legal barriers for local implementation, such as building codes, administrative procedures for permits and inspections, or conflicts over scarce public space.

Adapting spatial development to the challenges of climate change is a major task facing cities. In particular, urban heat islands caused by increasing average temperatures and urban growth are a challenge for cities. The use of climate simulations to assess current and future urban heat stress is a helpful approach for supporting this transition. In particular, green and blue infrastructure helps to reduce the urban heat island effect. These cooling effects can be analysed using simulations. However, a central challenge is that urban adaptation to heat needs to be implemented consistently at different planning levels. A second major challenge in adaption is identifying the amount of urban green infrastructure required in order to achieve a specific cooling benefit and establishing this by means of planning instruments. This article presents two case studies in the city of Vienna to demonstrate how climate simulation tools can be used across different planning levels if they are standardized. When combined with a green and open space factor as a steering instrument, the necessary amount of greening for subsequent planning processes can be secured. The result is a multi-scale toolset consisting of three climate simulation models and a green and open space factor, coordinated, and standardised for use at different levels of planning.

In recent years, the representation of climate information in a way to support decision making has been gaining momentum. Worldwide, these so-called climate services are emerging as an essential tool to connect the advances in climate science with the domains of climate change adaptation. The methodology developed within the CLARITY project (funded through European Union funding program Horizon 2020) is aimed at implementing a new generation of climate services specifically designed to assess adaptation measures at the city level under the effects of extreme weather events in the context of climate change. These effects are assessed based on observations as well as climate projections, and the subsequent derivation of climate indices to address changes in climate extremes. The dynamical-statistical downscaling of regional climate model results is used to obtain this information on fine spatial scales (100 m), hence providing urban scale projections and enabling climate sensitivity simulations of adaptation measures on the urban scale. The climate adaptation strategies encompass, among others, green roofs, increasing roof albedo, as well as changes in soil sealing. Here, the climate assessment methodology developed within CLARITY will be discussed in detail, and results for the city of Linz (Austria) presented. In addition, the usage of these methods and results within the CLARITY climate service as well as the connection to urban climate change resilience will be highlighted.

The paper focuses on the current debate of energy transition at the regional level and aims at filling an existing gap in literature about how to organize transition processes in energy regions. In an effort to do so, the researchers focus on a case study region where a collaborative process for developing an earmarked energy region has been initiated. The purpose of this paper is to identify and understand how collaborative governance needs to be organized in order to foster energy transition in the energy region under study. The research is designed as sequential case study analysis based on different data collection steps including desk and field research as well as participatory research and observation. The research team worked with regional stakeholders and in a first step a moderated stakeholder identification process informed the subsequent stakeholder and governance analysis. Our results show that a moderated stakeholder identification process helps to integrate the relevant stakeholders in a strong alliance building process which helps to avoid information asymmetries and to detect path-dependent structures and systemic lock-ins. External support also helps identifying relevant actors outside the group of ‘usual suspects’. One lesson learned is to establish supportive institutional structures allowing less committed stakeholders to change their mindset and to create mutual interest. The paper provides theoretical and empirical insights for both academics and practitioners.

Ongoing urbanization worldwide present a big challenge for the quality of urban life. This development poses great challengesfor cities due to the growing demand for more living space and supporting infrastructure, resulting in environmental pollution, higher anthropogenic waste heat and poor outdoor thermal comfort. To accommodate this rapid expansion of urban areas, the city authorities need to adopt a more climate-sensitive approach to urban transformation. In this regard, the present contribution investigates the potential of specific planning and adaptation strategies to attenuate the urban overheating for distinct urban locations in Vienna and Linz, Austria, over a hotsummer period. For this purpose, we applied the parametric modelling environment Rhinoceros 3D and a number of built-in algorithms in the Rhino’s plug-in Grasshopper for dynamic simulation of urban microclimate. The results were compared based on the meanradiant temperature (MRT) averaged over a 24-hour cycle and differentiated into day-and night-time shares. The results reveal a notable potential of selected greening measures to positively influence outdoor thermal conditions. The effectiveness of thesemeasures, however, seem to be time-dependent, whereby a more pronounced cooling effect was noted during the daytime, attributed to the solar shielding effect.

Die Blockchain-Technologie ist derzeit in aller Munde und hat auch die Energiewirtschaft erreicht. Sie ermöglicht Transaktionen, die dauerhaft und für jeden nachvollziehbar dokumentiert sind und somit ohne vertrauensvollen Mittelsmann erfolgen. Damit eröffnet die Blockchain-Technologie auch für die Energiewirtschaft neue Optionen, wie z. B. für die Finanzierung von Anlagen, den Herkommensnachweis und den Handel mit (erneuerbaren) Energien. Das Projekt SonnWende+ befasst sich anhand konkreter Anwendungsfälle mit dem Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie im Energiebereich, den technologischen Möglichkeiten, rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen sowie den Bedarf und die Akzeptanz bei Stakeholder/innen und Nutzer/innen. Im Zuge des Co-Creation-Prozesses wurde eine Befragung unter Entscheidungsträger/innen aus dem Energiebereich durchgeführt, die beleuchtet, welche Gamechanger-Potenziale die Energie-Stakeholder/innen durch die Blockchain-Technologie sehen. Die Befragung zeigt, dass sich die Energiewirtschaft bereits aktiv mit dem Thema Blockchain befasst und durchaus die Vorteile dieser neuen Technologie erkannt werden. Besondere Chancen werden beim Lademanagement für E-Mobilität, neuen Formen des Energiehandels und im Netzmanagement gesehen. Rund ein Fünftel der befragten Entscheidungsträger/innen glaubt an Blockchain als Gamechanger für die Energiewirtschaft. Dementsprechend wird auch für einige Akteure in der Energiewirtschaft durchaus ein hohes Disruptionspotenzial erwartet. Aus der Befragung geht jedoch auch eine gewisse Skepsis und Unsicherheit gegenüber der neuen Technologie hervor. Die von den Entscheidungsträger/innen genannten Hürden und Gefahren verdeutlichen den Bedarf nach inter- und transdisziplinär angelegten Projekten, die den sinnvollen Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie in der Energiebranche anwendungsorientiert implementieren, analysieren und vorantreiben. Dieser Know-how-Aufbau soll es der österreichischen Energiewirtschaft ermöglichen, in Zukunft die Rahmenbedingungen für den Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie aktiv mitzugestalten.

The paper explores future opportunities as well as challenges arising from urban manufacturing (UM) regarding the design of sustainable energy systems for cities. Global trends affect the type of production (e.g. Industry 4.0) as well as the industrial structure (e.g. convergence of services and production) of UM in cities. This causes new requirements but also new options for the urban energy system. The study presented in this paper examines this area of tension and explores not only the potentials of waste heat use, but also additional electricity demand trough steadily advancing digitalisation. The study illustrates, that over the next few years it will be key to improve the interfaces between actors and sectors: between companies (energy communities), between industry and grid/energy supply company/neighbouring settlement areas and between the sectors heat-electricity-gas-mobility through e.g. power-to-x and possible uses of hydrogen. The paper concludes with a concept for integrating urban manufacturing optimally in the urban energy system for a sustainable energy transition in the future.