ABS Network press conference impressions
On 11 October 2017 partners of the project ABS Network organized a press conference which was held at the Technical university Graz. Main topic of the press conference was the importance of the collaboration between the business and research sector within the programme region (Slovenia – Austria) with the aim to follow the two most important project objectives - the development of a solar activated façade panel (STAF-panel) and building the Knowledge network.
The Vice rector of research at the Technical university of Graz, univ. prof. Horst Bischof in his opening speech emphasized that the ABS Network project is a successful continuation of cooperation between higher education institutions and industry. »This year's utilization of solar energy exceeded production of energy, produced in nuclear power plants for the first time. It is very satisfying that the ABS Network project is an opportunity for Technical university of Graz to contribute trough expressing rich experiences, gain in years of exploring efficient use of solar energy.”
Mateja Kramberger, project manager at Tiko Pro d.o.o. presented the ABS Network project and the partners’ roles in the project. She added: »ABS Network project is important for the cooperation between industry and institutions of knowledge – such collaboration enables knowledge transformation and encourages joint development of innovative products in the future - A Knowledge network that will be established within the project will follow that objective and it will provide an opportunity to transfer the gained knowledge, develop new innovative project ideas and it will strive to support the cohesion of programme region«.
Every year in EU there are between 60 to 80 million of so called »sandwich panels« produced. Starting point for the project idea was a desire to create more energy efficient panel. Helmut Schober, architect from Technical university of Graz explained: »The STAF panel, which is going to be developed within the project, will be made of aluminium, based on the “roll bonding” technology and it will have the function of a heat exchanger – it will be able, while using solar energy, to either heat or cool the building. «
Stanslav Kores, head of strategic development at Talum d.d. added: »Talum has more than 60 years tradition in field of aluminium production – the cooperation in the project is great starting point to bring together complimentary knowledge – for Talum d.d. the project involvement is the opportunity to raise the innovation potential and enable the sustainability of the development of new products.«
The know-how to combine different materials and how to modify different technologies in to new, innovative products and processes is the key to success in the field of of efficient solar energy use. That knowledge, sourced from different institutes within university, is very important for innovation and business development in the region is the key message from univ. prof. Christof Sommitsch and univ. prof. Peter Kautsch, both from Technical university of Graz.
In the photo from the press conference (from right to left): Mateja Kramberger, project manager Tiko Pro d.o.o.; dr. Stanislav Kores, head of strategic development Talum d.d., vice rector of research department uni. prof. Horst Bischof, Technical university Graz; Helmut Schober, dipl. ing. Technical university Graz; uni. prof. Christof Sommitsch, Technical university Graz; uni. prof. Peter Kautsch, Technical university Graz