Austrian energy company Verbund and steelmaker voestalpine are strengthening their strategic partnership focusing on industrial energy supply and transformation.
They have signed an extended framework agreement which reaffirms their shared goal of actively driving forward the transformation of industry and energy systems, Kallanish hears from Verbund.
The new agreement forms the basis for implementing specific projects and for collaboration in the areas of renewable energy supply and hydrogen, it says.
These include site-specific projects for the use of renewable energy, as well as solutions for hydrogen, energy storage and flexibility marketing. Different supply concepts are being pursued depending on the site and the initial technical situation.
In in the areas of flexibility and energy storage, the implementation of battery storage projects at the Kindberg and Donawitz sites is being assessed.
In addition, the Austrian companies will look into further potential at locations in Germany. Battery storage facilities make an important contribution to the integration of renewable energy, increase flexibility in the energy system, and strengthen the security of supply for industrial processes, Verbund notes.
The partners also plan to explore other opportunities for expanding renewable energy generation at suitable sites. In recent years, they have jointly installed photovoltaic systems, including those at voestalpine Tubulars’ Donawitz site and at voestalpine Wire Rod. In addition, further opportunities for expanding renewable energy generation are being considered, such as long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy.
The framework agreement runs until the end of 2029 and establishes a binding framework for the joint development and implementation of forward-looking projects, Verbund says.
Author: Christian Koehl
