One million households

How highways could supply us with electricity

In Germany, PV areas next to highways have long been part of the landscape.

(Bild: IBC Solar GmbH)

Achieving the climate targets will require a major expansion of renewable energy. Utility Oekostrom AG sees great potential next to the highways. If photovoltaic modules were installed on around one eighth of the highways to the right and left, this would provide electricity for around one million households. Politicians are called upon to facilitate access for such projects.

In order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and CO₂ emissions, the expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines or photovoltaics (PV) is necessary. Everyone pretty much agrees on this. However, enormous efforts are needed to achieve the ambitious targets of 100% green electricity in Austria by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2040.

The supplier Oekostrom AG therefore wants to push ahead with the expansion of PV systems. According to CEO Hildegard Aichberger, wind turbines will almost no longer be feasible by 2030 because such projects take an average of eight years from planning to completion. Photovoltaics would be much quicker.

86 percent say yes to PV systems next to highways
However, this requires the necessary space, which is often met with rejection among the population according to the motto "Not in my garden". However, according to a recent survey, 86 percent of Austrians are in favor of PV systems next to freeways. This is where we should start and change the framework conditions, says Aichberger.

The Oekostrom board duo Hildegard Aichberger and Ulrich Streibl are calling for better framework conditions.

(Bild: thomaskirschner.com)

Taking Germany as a role model
Specifically, Oekostrom AG wants PV systems to be able to be erected next to freeways without complex approval procedures. This has long been possible in Germany. "If only twelve percent of the 1750 kilometers of freeway in Austria were to be equipped with PV modules on both sides, around one million households would be supplied with electricity," calculates Oekostrom CEO Ulrich Streibl.

However, this would require the right framework conditions. It is incredibly complicated, especially on freeways - also because there are different regulations in every federal state. Streibl: "Let's create a national PV plan. Germany is showing us how it's done." There, 200 meters to the right and left of the freeway are so-called "privileged areas" and therefore easier to use as PV areas.

Asfinag would welcome simpler procedures
Freeway operator Asfinag emphasizes that it welcomes any simplification and acceleration of approval procedures. However, it must be ensured that such projects do not impair road safety. Asfinag, which has been installing PV systems itself for years, plans to be energy self-sufficient by 2030 with 100 megawatt peak (MWp) output from renewable energy generation plants.

Enormous need for expansion in photovoltaics in Austria
In order to achieve the recently set targets of 21 terawatt hours (TWh) per year from PV systems, rapid implementation is also required. The current capacity in Austria is just 18 percent of what we are aiming for in this area. "Depending on the province, capacities need to be expanded by a factor of five to fifteen," explains Streibl.

This does not even take into account the sharp rise in future electricity demand. This currently stands at around 65 TWh per year. According to the two energy experts, if all cars were to run on electricity and space heating were also to be electric, this would add at least another 100 TWh per year.