The A3PS

Alternative Drive Trains and Fuels

The development of alternative propulsion systems and energy carriers has become a crucial factor for economical success in the vehicle industry and the energy sector within the last few years. Tighter emission limits for pollutants, greenhouse gases and noise together with targets for improvements in energy efficiency are the main drivers for an increasing demand for innovations in the energy and transport sector. Furthermore the volatile prices of crude oil and the dependency on politically unstable regions have raised the pressure to develop alternative energy carriers.

Foundation of the A3PS

The market launch of alternative drive trains and fuels requires close collaboration between the fuel and vehicle industry complemented by an active technology policy. Therefore the bmvit established in 2006 the A3PS as a strategic public-private partnership for a close cooperation between industry, research institutions and the ministry with the common goal of the development and market introduction of alternative propulsion systems and fuels. Following the principles of modern technology policy, the bmvit is convinced that public authorities can facilitate the development of new technologies far beyond funding R&D projects.

Mission

The A3PS is the strategic public-private partnership between the Austrian technology policy, industry and research institutions to stimulate the development of alternative propulsion systems and energy carriers, to build up common competence and to accelerate the market launch in this area.
The A3PS addresses new technologies which can contribute to an increase of efficiency and a reduction of emissions (such as for example, fuel cells, hydrogen, hybrid drive trains, batteries, natural gas vehicles or liquid/gas-based biofuels).
The A3PS is a source and provider of information which actively contributes to a coordinated and informed action of Austrian actors in all phases of the innovation process (i.e. from R&D to technology transfer into deployment).
The A3PS supports the collaboration among its members and cooperates with other relevant initiatives and platform activities to be consistent with the systemic requirements for future propulsion systems and energy carriers.

Objectives and Tasks

Strengthening the competence of Austrian enterprises and research institutions by collecting, compiling and disseminating information on alternative propulsion systems and energy carriers in a targeted way to the members of the agency (information).
Stimulating the formation of international partnerships, research co-operations and the embedding of Austrian industry and research institutions in a leading position into new value chains (linking-up).
Aligning and focusing on common priorities between industry, research institutions and technology policy by the development of concepts and roadmaps to coordinate the implementation of strategies and the formation of reference markets (orientation).
Providing well-founded and balanced advice for policy makers to support the optimisation of their policy instruments (funding programs, regulations, standards, public procurement, etc.) and to inform the public about the opportunities and perspectives of these new technologies (forming of opinion).
Supporting the representation of Austrian interests in international committees and initiatives of the EU and the IEA (representation of interests)
Present the technological competence and the engineering and product know-how of the A3PS members in national and international conferences and initiatives (know-how presentation).

Service Offer/-Portfolio

Procurement, compilation, analysis and distribution of information for the members

Internal workshops, technology foresight and assessment, comparative assessment of studies, analysis of international R&D strategies, organisation of professional lectures and seminars, information about international conferences, information about relevant EU, national and regional funding instruments.

Stimulation of cooperation and international linking up

Organisation of workshops to initiate cooperation and linking up of complementary partners.
Stimulation of interdisciplinary research projects and cooperation between technology providers and users in pilot and demonstration projects.
Support for the participation of Austrian research institutions in EU-projects and programs.

Political Consultant, Media Work and International Representation of the Members’ Interests

Well-balanced technical support for policy makers based on the comprehensive know-how of A3PS members for the planning of bmvit-strategies and optimisation of its funding instruments as well as a roadmap for the successful implementation of these new technologies.
Support for the planning of a framework to promote innovation (regulatory policy and fiscal policy, fuel taxation, endowment of funding instruments, technical and safety standards, emission limits, garage regulation, differentiated access restrictions to sensitive areas).
Creation of position papers as a basis for the representation of Austrian interests by the bmvit in international committees and initiatives as well as the representation of the bmvit in the IEA.
Inform the public on the potentials and the state of development of alternative propulsion systems.

Presetation of the Members’ Competence

Marketing for Austrian technology competence and the members’ engineering and product know-how by organisation of conferences as well as by publications and presentations at conferences.