Overview: Sustainable Systems

TU Graz
Graz University of Technology

The world's population is growing, and energy use and environmental pollution are on the increase. At the same time, natural resources and raw materials are becoming scarce and the effects of climate change are warning us that we need to reduce our output of greenhouse gases. Scientists in the Field of Expertise Sustainable Systems at TU Graz are focussing on these complex challenges and undertaking interdisciplinary research to find sustainable solutions. Research topics range from sustainable urban planning, innovative building technologies and energy systems to the use of renewable energy sources, intelligent energy networks and green mobility.

Research Topics

Urban and mobility planning

Landscape Urbanism – ecological synergies in urban and regional development
Smart Cities – energy-efficient urban-planning densification
Financing models in urban development
Smart Mobility – multimodal transport planning and intelligent traffic systems
Life-Cycle Costs in infrastructure (road, rail, supply lines)

Sustainable construction

Form follows energy – energy concepts of buildings
Sustainability analysis of construction products and buildings
Resource-efficient, non-standard construction methods – prototype construction in the robot design laboratory
Resource-saving construction in lightweight and solid construction
Economic implementation of complex geometries and shapes in wood construction
Advanced wood and concrete technology
Optimal lighting – simulations and experiments in the lighting laboratory
Multifunctional facade engineering and media integration

Future-oriented energy systems

Integral energy landscapes – historical development and future strategies
Numerical calculations and hydraulic model experiments for hydro power plants
Innovative system solutions for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology
Thermal energy systems and biomass exploitation
Process evaluation and synthesis, and waste and emission-free technologies/systems
Simulations and experiments on thermal turbomachines and machine dynamics
High-voltage and distribution networks of the future, and energy-efficient electric drives and machines
Economic analysis of energy and electrical systems