A regional programme in Upper Austria supports the installation of photovoltaic systems in schools by subsidising up to 75 % (max. 3 kW) of the costs. One year after the programme launch, more than 285 schools have registered. The programme includes PV training toolkits with different materials for experiments in schools, events and a comprehensive database on electricity production. In seminars more than 170 teachers have been trained so far in solar energy and energy efficiency in schools.

Link: www.pv-schule.at (in German)

In one district of Upper Austria, a pilot programme for low-income households is being implemented. The aim is to reduce the electricity costs of low-income households in a long-term perspective through energy advice and the free exchange of electrical appliances. The O.Oe. Energiesparverband manages this programme. So far, 170 families have received energy advice and more than 100 household appliances have been exchanged to newer, high-efficiency ones.

OEC-Link: www.weg-aus-der-energiearmut.at (in German)

For the first time, the OEC organised "OEC next", an event for young employees of cluster companies. 25 of them met in the Welios science center for networking and discussion. After a presentation of OEC activities by the cluster team, Dr. Lukas Kranzl from the Technical University of Vienna presented his view of the future of energy. Additionally, five young cluster representatives presented their companies, products, services and projects. In a cooperation platform a lively discussion about cooperation opportunities took place.

OEC-Link: OEC next

The O.Oe. Energiesparverband cooperates with 18 partners from 15 European countries to promote, implement and mainstream the procurement of energy efficient products (office equipment, household appliances, lighting, green power, building components, vehicles) in private and public institutions. The aim is to trigger green procurement for smart purchasing. The partners provide information through specific guidelines and calculation tools, but also assistance with energy labels, helpdesks, consultations and trainings and save at least 100 new European examples in a good-practice database.

OEC-Link: www.buy-smart.info

The "Energie-Star 2012" - the Upper Austrian awards for successful sustainable energy projects - were presented within the frame of the World Sustainable Energy Days. The winner projects are:

• an energy-saving agricultural family business (Altreiter)
• Berufsschule 8, Linz (a vocational school for HVAC engineers)
• Solar campaign by Linz AG
• an energy-saving community: St. Georgen at Obernberg/Inn

OEC-Link: www.energiestar.at (in German)

The regional government started a pilot project on electricity savings for low-income households in one district close to Linz. The aim is to reduce the electricity costs of these low-income households in a long-term perspective through energy advice and the exchange of electrical appliances. The O.Oe. Energiesparverband manages this pilot project in cooperation with social initiatives, the district commission and the communities.

OEC-Link: www.weg-aus-der-energiearmut.at (in German)

The Upper Austrian programme "PV for schools" was chosen by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture as the Austrian project to take part in the European competition "U4energy". Only 12 months after the programme launch, more than 200 schools have sent their applications to become a "solar school". Pictures of the first already installed PV systems and detailed information on the programme can be found on the programme website.

Link: www.u4energy.eu, www.pv-schule.at (in German)