The development of alternative energy supply systems has emerged as one of the fields of specialization of Austrian energy research. Since the establishment of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 1947, Austria has been involved in research initiatives focused on

• the development of novel technologies and components for passive solar systems,

• the utilization of biomass – from crop growing to harvesting to incineration and ash re-use,

• heat pumps,

• photovoltaic systems, and

• electric vehicles.