The pioneering work in the field of energy from wastewater by the family-run Rabmer Group was recognized in the "Climate Protection" category at the TRIGOS Award 2022, Austria's most prestigious prize for responsible business and sustainability, on 29 June at the Ankerfabrik. The solution of the construction and environmental technology company based in Altenberg near Linz for the sustainable supply of heating and cooling using wastewater as an energy source, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, has once again received great recognition. The technology makes a significant contribution to security of supply and CO2 reduction: Up to 14 percent of the heat requirement could be covered with the valuable and available resource from the wastewater sewer.
"Companies are a key driver and part of the solution in the transformation of our economic system towards sustainability - both in terms of ecological and social issues," said IV Secretary General Christoph Neumayer at the award ceremony for responsible business on June 29 at the Ankerfabrik in Vienna. Among the winners of the TRIGOS Award 2022, the Rabmer Group was recognized in the "Climate Protection" category for its unique solution Energy from Wastewater. "A project like this makes an important contribution to climate protection and the energy transition," says Neumayer.
Rabmer has been focusing on innovation and environmental technology for over thirty years. Ulrike Rabmer-Koller is the second generation to run the family business. Together with her team, she has expanded the family business from a regional construction company to an internationally active technology company with a great deal of innovation. She is also particularly pleased about the sustainability award, which was presented to her by Ingmar Höbarth, Managing Director of the Climate Fund: "The TRIGOS award is a special honor for my team and me and confirms once again that we are on the right path with innovative solutions for climate protection. Sustainability has been part of our corporate strategy for decades. With our environmental technologies, we offer significant added value for our customers and our environment."
The always available energy source from the channel
As a pioneer in Austria, the Rabmer Group offers a solution for sustainable heating and cooling with energy from wastewater, the energy source of which is available around the clock and every day of the year. "The technology can contribute to security of supply andCO2 reduction in Austria. Up to 14 percent of heating requirements could be covered with energy from the sewer," Ulrike Rabmer-Koller is convinced. After all, 50 percent of global energy consumption is needed for heating and cooling. In the residential sector, the proportion is as high as 73 percent of total energy consumption.
"We turn dirty wastewater into clean energy. With the help of innovative heat exchanger systems and appropriately matched heat pumps, nearby office and residential buildings, as well as shopping centers, hospitals and other public facilities, can be heated and cooled in a particularly economical and environmentally friendly way. In addition, the energy generated can also be fed into district and local heating networks," Rabmer-Koller explains the system and adds. "Wien Kanal's headquarters in Blumental, for example, is heated and cooled 100 percent using this system." The basic requirement is a sewer with a flow rate of at least ten liters per second, which corresponds to feeding in the wastewater of around 5,000 people.
Heat exchanger system also for in-house projects
However, it is not only large-scale projects that are suitable for using energy from wastewater. As part of in-house projects, the Rabmer Group relies on innovative heat exchanger systems that use wastewater for the energy-intensive preheating of fresh water. "With these individually tailored solutions, we support companies from the beverage industry, commercial kitchens, laundries, wellness and bathing establishments, for example, in saving energy and money," reports Rabmer-Koller and adds: "Especially now, due to the high energy prices and the enormous dependence on gas, regionally available renewable solutions are needed. Energy from wastewater offers great potential here."
Heat recovery from wastewater has been recognized as renewable energy since 2018 and government subsidies have also been available since 2021.
More information on this topic can also be found at www.energie-aus-abwasser.com
