Cold wave: Vienna records heat record – Vienna news

Wien Energie power plants supplied the city with district heating with a maximum output of 2,086 megawatts (MW). Temperatures are still expected to be low in the coming days, but Vienna is still a long way from an all-time heating record. This was achieved on March 3, 2018 with 2,414 MW. For comparison: on an average winter day, the maximum heat output in Vienna is around 1,600 MW.

“Days like yesterday and today show how important a reliable heat supply is. Wien Energie is also well equipped for the coldest time of year. We make sure it stays comfortably warm at home even when the outside temperature is freezing.” says Michael Strebl, Managing Director of Wien Energie. “To ensure this in the future as well, we will invest massively in expanding climate-friendly district heating over the next few years.”

Crown restrictions and winter closures do not lead to increased heat demand in Vienna. Due to the climate, there was a little more heating than the previous year, but no corona effect has been observed in district heating so far. Since the beginning of the heating season in October until yesterday, the Viennese have used around 6 percent more district heating than in the previous season. So far, winter has been a bit colder than last year, but temperatures since October 2020 have even been around 0.7 ° C above the 30-year average. The heating season is not over yet, at least it will last until the end of March, only then can a final balance be drawn.

The amount of energy actually consumed in a home largely depends on individual behavior, the type and configuration of heating, but also on factors such as insulation and the general condition of the building. Those who are more at home, for example in the home office, also need more energy. It is important to pay attention to energy saving options: if you only lower the room temperature by 1 ° C, you will save 6 percent of heating energy.

An environmentally friendly heat supply plays a decisive role in protecting the climate. Today, the heating sector in Austria is responsible for about half of final energy consumption and almost 40 percent of CO2 emissions. Vienna already heats in a very environmentally friendly way and saves 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 every year thanks to district heating. Wien Energie is constantly expanding its climate-friendly district heating. The company relies primarily on the use of existing waste heat and geothermal energy.

Wien Energie supplies district heating to more than 400,000 Viennese households and 7,100 major customers. Vienna’s district heating network is more than 1,200 kilometers long. That roughly corresponds to the distance from Vienna to Stockholm. The large system of waste incineration plants, large heat pumps, biomass, combined heat and power plants, industrial waste heat such as the Mannerfabrik and the occasional use of hot water boilers ensure a safe and climate-friendly supply even in extreme conditions.