The VIS NOVA project, which started in May 2011, is part of the Central Europe program and has the objective of strengthening the energy independence of local authorities. Rising energy prices cause, that security of supply and affordable energy as well as its efficient use became a key competitive advantage and location factor.

At this point VIS NOVA starts off with an integrated approach which includes enterprises, municipalities and households. Feasibility studies will be developed for each area, investments will be prepared and demonstration projects realised.
The transnational cooperation enables transfer of good approaches and the exchange of experiences. During international congresses the results will be communicated and transferred. Through the outputs from the project, the value creation in rural areas and thus employment shall be promoted.
Five partner regions from four EU countries came together to jointly implement this project (Saxony - Düben Heath / DE, Schwäbisch-Hall / DE, Micro-region Tullnerfeld West / AT, Małopolska / PL, South-Transdanubia / HU).

Therefore, energy and how regions can deal with it most effectively, are the topics of the public conference held in the framework of VIS NOVA on 3 June 2013 in Michelhausen / Austria. The meeting provides an overview of what is currently done in the region Tullnerfeld in this field and what progress has already been made. The Austrian partners presented the concept of energy efficiency plan, which will be elaborated within the project. Furthermore, Mayor Rudolf Friewald talked about the visualization of a heating plant and automated access control at a waste collection center. Both measures will be implemented as pilot projects under VIS NOVA. Other presentations addressed energy-efficient communities, street lighting, straw as an alternative house-building material, e-mobility and decentralized energy management. A cabaret ("Wurscht und wichtig - a satirical contribution to climate change") rounded off the meeting.

The presented measures shall also be examples for other regions, the acquired knowledge will be shared with the other project partners. But the invitation is also addressed to mayors, municipal employees, and all persons whose area of interest includes renewable energy.

More information about the project is available on: www.vis-nova.eu

This project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-financed by the ERDF.