Chickens and sheep lie in the shade of the photovoltaic modules, the train passes by, powered by green traction current. This is what everyday life will soon look like at the newly built ÖBB agri-PV plant in Thalsdorf, Carinthia.
With this innovative project, ÖBB is showing how environmentally friendly multiple use works: chickens and sheep will find a pasture and feed area on around 14 hectares, while the area will be equipped with 19,000 photovoltaic modules covering 6 hectares. This new solar system will generate around 16 GWh of energy per year in the future. In addition, extensive nature conservation measures, such as planting trees and planting flower strips with regional seeds, are contributing to more biodiversity.
ÖBB agri-PV plant: Project for 100% green traction current
As one of the largest climate protection companies in Austria, ÖBB saves around 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually with its rail transport services . A significant contribution to this is the use of renewable energy to supply trains and operating facilities. To achieve greater independence, ÖBB wants to increase its self-sufficiency with green traction current to 80% by 2030, and even to 67% in the building sector. ÖBB is also relying on innovations such as those in Thalsdorf.
The ÖBB agri-PV plant system generates an annual energy yield of over 16 GWh – this corresponds to around 4,000 trips with the Railjet from Villach to Vienna. Due to the proximity to the railway, the 16.7-hertz traction current produced can be fed directly into the overhead line. This also means fewer line losses. The pile-driven foundations used ensure that the soil can seep into the ground and the system can be dismantled without leaving any residue after its technical service life has expired. At the same time, the chickens and sheep feel very comfortable under the shade-providing modules.
“Agri-PV projects combine two wonderful things that make up our beautiful country: the energy transition and our domestic agriculture. With its first agri-PV system in beautiful Thalsdorf, the ÖBB is showing how we can use solar power while at the same time agriculture benefits from it. The advantages are obvious: the ÖBB saves energy costs by generating green electricity for the railway and also makes a contribution to agriculture and biodiversity,” said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler on the first agri-PV system for railway power:
“We have been relying on 100% green traction power since 2018 and have also been supplying all buildings, facilities and container terminals with 100% electricity from renewable energies since 2019. We are happy to be pioneers in green power and mobility, for example with the commissioning of the world’s first wind turbine for 16.7 Hz traction power in 2022. With this innovative agri-photovoltaic system in Thalsdorf, we are not only increasing our own production of green traction power, we are also creating a positive dual use for the environment and agriculture,” added CEO of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG Johann Pluy.
Deputy Governor Gaby Schaunig, who was able to get an idea of the innovative energy project on site on behalf of Peter Kaiser, said: “It is innovative and sustainable projects like these that are important for the energy transition. In the new ÖBB agri-PV system, mobility, renewable energy and agriculture form a symbiosis. The PV system, which supplies electricity for around 4,000 Railjet journeys from Villach to Vienna, is not only a pioneering project, but also an important piece of the puzzle in making public transport future-oriented. All of this is in line with the state’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 and is also a declared goal of the Carinthian Sustainability Coalition.”
ÖBB’s energy strategy
By expanding and modernizing its own water, solar and wind power plants, ÖBB and its partners want to increase the level of self-sufficiency in traction current from 60% to 80% and in operating facilities from 11% to 67%. In addition, internal energy efficiency is to be increased by 25%, for example by modernizing the traction current network or optimizing buildings. This will make ÖBB more independent of external energy suppliers and also relieve the burden on the public power grid. ÖBB is investing 1.6 billion euros in this by 2030.
Share on:
