The warm spring and high energy prices have already resulted in both private individuals and industry reducing their gas consumption in recent months. This is based on data from the Energy Agency. Austria consumed 3.5 terawatt hours (TWh) less gas in the first five months than last year.
An average household can save up to ten percent on electricity just by changing behaviour, Franz Angerer, director of the Energy Agency, said in the Ö1 “Morning Journal” on Thursday — if, for example, air conditioning systems are set to a target temperature of 25 or 26 degrees instead of 22. degrees. Angerer recommends maintaining heaters and then lowering the temperature during the heating period. You can also “insulate makeshift leaky windows” or insulate the ceilings on the top floor. But then it would be “pretty much over” with the immediate measures needed now.
However, in view of Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler’s (Greens) savings tips, he emphasized that the constant calls for savings can also lead to them not being heard at all. Angerer knows: “It has reached the part of the population where the subject can and will be received. But there’s always a certain part where the subject isn’t going anywhere that you just don’t get.”
Conversion to oil not possible everywhere
Due to the recent drop in storage levels, the government on Tuesday ordered the industry to switch to alternative energy sources, especially oil. However, this is accompanied by many difficulties, emphasize the companies involved. According to “Standard” research, in Austria only power stations with a capacity of about 380 megawatts (MW) can be converted from gas to oil anyway. There is also the Mellach power station with 200 MW, which is being converted from gas to coal.
The situation is different with pure combined heat and power plants. One in Salzburg has already been converted from gas to oil fired and another is being converted there. The four cogeneration plants in Vienna – Spittelau, Leopoldau, Inzersdorf and near the Arsenal in the third district – can run on both gas and oil. According to the Viennese energy boss Michael Strebl, the purchase of heating oil was “no problem”, the newspaper writes. The 10,000 liter tanks would only be sufficient for a short time, so they are looking for additional ways to store fuel oil.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
