Robert Gaugl at VERBUND Innovation Day 2026

16.06.2026

Robert Gaugl was invited to present current research findings on Austria’s future storage and flexibility needs at VERBUND Innovation Day 2026.

On June 16, 2026, Robert Gaugl was invited as an external expert to present the scientific perspective on the future role of energy storage in the energy system at VERBUND Innovation Day 2026. As part of the deep-dive session “Storage as an Indispensable Partner for Variable Renewable Energy,” he presented current research findings on Austria’s future storage and flexibility needs to representatives of VERBUND. The invitation highlights the significance of the IEE’s research activities in the fields of energy system modeling, storage integration, and flexibility analysis.

In his presentation, Robert Gaugl showcased key results from a joint study conducted by PV Austria, APG, d-fine, and TU Graz on Austria’s future storage and flexibility requirements. Among other topics, the study examined the future role and regional distribution of residential, commercial, and industrial battery storage systems across Austria. Furthermore, the presentation illustrated which short-, medium-, and long-term flexibility and storage options will be required to ensure security of supply in an energy system with high shares of wind and solar power. It also assessed the impacts of extreme scenarios, such as prolonged periods of low renewable generation during winter (“dark doldrums”) and limitations in grid expansion.

The subsequent discussion with participants from the VERBUND community demonstrated the strong interest in storage technologies as a key building block of the energy transition. The session clearly highlighted that storage and flexibility options are essential prerequisites for a resilient, cost-efficient, and climate-neutral energy system of the future.