Innovations

ESMO provides decision certainty: transparent comparison of system variants, evaluation of trade offs, and identification of viable solutions

Energy projects are complex: multiple technologies, volatile markets, and early stage uncertainties make robust decision making challenging. This is exactly why ESMO – Energy System Modeling & Optimization was developed. The tool is already being used successfully in several projects and demonstrates how different system configurations perform under real world conditions.

ESMO simulates complete energy systems on an hourly basis over the entire lifetime of the system, integrating technical, economic, and system level factors into a consistent model. This creates a robust basis for comparing options, assessing key trade offs, and identifying solutions that are viable in the long term.

What ESMO delivers:

• Sound decision making: Quantified, validated, and technically robust results based on real engineering expertise

• Risk minimization: Early phase modeling makes technical, economic, and system level risks visible at an early stage and allows for adjustments already during project development

• Comparability: System options aligned with project gate criteria and prepared for financing and investor due diligence

• Optimized system architectures: Precise determination of renewable shares and identification of hidden efficiency potential

• Economic viability: Design of system infrastructure aimed at minimizing life cycle costs

The result: An integrated approach that reduces complexity and enables data driven, reliable decisions – especially for projects that are too complex for simple answers.

➡️ Brochure with sample projects and results

ILF and TU Wien demonstrate how Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) can integrate pyrolysis oil from plastic waste and biogenic oils such as used cooking oil — enabling routes to petrochemical feedstocks and lower‑fossil fuel components.

The challenge is clear: plastic waste and biogenic residues need pathways that turn them into high‑value products while reducing reliance on fossil carbon.

With combined expertise, ILF and the Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering at TU Wien are shaping the future of sustainable industry. Their close collaboration has shown that Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) can be transformed from a classic oil refining process into a true engine for the circular economy. By integrating pyrolysis oil from plastic waste and biogenic oils such as used cooking oil, FCC enables both the recycling of plastics into valuable petrochemical feedstocks and the production of biogenic fuels that significantly reduce the fossil carbon footprint.

A key innovation is the direct conversion of bio-oils, such as used cooking oil, into high-quality components for gasoline and olefins. This not only replaces fossil resources but also supports the transition to a more climate-friendly mobility and chemical production. The flexibility of FCC units allows for stable product yields, even when processing a wide variety of biobased and recycled feedstocks.

ILF demonstrates that technological innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. By combining advanced recycling, biogenic fuels, and efficient process management, ILF and TU Wien are jointly advancing the transformation of industry towards resource-efficient, climate-friendly, and future-proof value creation. The wind of change in this industry needs to be fueled by academia, research and development and legislation to not let it decay to a mild breeze.

Learn more about his topic here: White Paper: Sustainable Fuel Projects – Success Factors | ILF.com

The “LZinfra” research project aims to develop a standardized prototype life-cycle tool that allows for consistent and comparable sustainability assessments of transport infrastructure across corridors, structures, and construction sites.

Sustainability assessments of transport infrastructure are often complex. Without dedicated assessment tools, they can only be conducted with considerable effort. This is exactly where “LZinfra” comes into play: As a research project, “LZinfra” is developing Austria’s first standardized prototype evaluation system for construction activities in the transport infrastructure sector with a focus on environmental impact assessments and life-cycle costs. Developed as part of the project, the database – together with the evaluation system currently under development – enables automated and standardized environmental impact assessments and life-cycle cost calculations. At the same time, the evaluation process can be adapted to the different phases of transport infrastructure projects.
ILF is one of several partners supporting the project’s implementation.

The key innovation lies in the tool system and its architecture: “LZinfra” integrates a computer landscape comprising nine applications and their interfaces into a seamless, automated assessment process. This enables assessments to be conducted at corridor level (route alternatives), structural level (optimizations), and construction site or contracting level, depending on the project phase.

What “LZinfra” makes possible:

• Standardized evaluation system: Standardized sustainability assessment in accordance with EN 17472, based on 11 environmental impact indicators in line with EN 15804+A2, ensuring consistent and transparent results.

• A shared national database for Austria instead of isolated solutions: A central eco-data repository comprising 16 eco-data catalogs (materials, transport, traffic, and processes), serving as the core component for all tool modules – including a chronological record of historical datasets and consistent data linking.

• Detours and traffic jams: Simple ways to incorporate traffic impacts and emissions into early planning stages (route alternatives) as well as into the strategic planning of maintenance activities.

• Procurement becomes “quantifiable”: A guideline comprising 34 environmental award criteria (including tender texts and sample calculations), complemented by an award calculator to assess the environmental impact of criteria at an early stage and to systematically evaluate proposals.

• Practical assessment within the research framework: In the third year of the research project, the system architecture, interfaces, and computational prototypes were developed, tested, and validated using sample calculations.

Looking ahead, an extension into a fourth year of research is planned to achieve the project’s overall objectives, with a focus on further developing the “LZinfra” evaluation system, including computer architecture, user-friendliness, strategy, and detailed reviews for each work package.

From champagne bubbles to stable performance: ILF’s intake design reduces gas release impacts in large scale compressed air energy storage

At ILF Consulting Engineers, we focus on delivering technically sound solutions to complex infrastructure challenges. Our work on the Silver City Energy Storage (SCES) project in Australia demonstrates this approach. The project uses Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A‑CAES) technology, which relies on hard rock caverns to store compressed air. While efficient, this system presented a unique hydraulic challenge: the “Champagne Effect.” When water moves upward in the shaft, dissolved air escapes, causing pressure fluctuations and operational risks.

To address this, ILF developed a new intake structure design that reduces negative impacts on the structure and operation when dissolved air escapes. This approach supports stable performance during energy loading and unloading, improving reliability and reducing technical risks associated with gas release in large‑scale energy storage systems.

In the course of this work, ILF analysed the underlying physical processes and reviewed specialized literature to understand the Champagne Effect in detail. This enabled the team to identify suitable simulation approaches that could be used to investigate such phenomena with confidence. Although these simulations were not implemented in the project, the knowledge gained provides a strong foundation for future applications—such as estimating air supersaturation in pumped‑hydro systems and, based on this, proposing structural solutions to minimize adverse effects when dissolved air later escapes at lower‑pressure points in waterways.

Through projects like SCES, ILF demonstrates engineering innovation that supports resilient and efficient energy systems—based on verifiable technical solutions rather than generic designs.

A new smart energy system in the ILF headquaters in Rum (Austria) cuts emissions by combining geothermal heat, waste heat recovery, and solar power — a major step toward Net Zero.

A pioneering energy system is being built at the ILF Group headquarters in Rum/Innsbruck, specifically designed to reduce direct emissions (Scope 1). In doing so, we demonstrate our strong commitment to climate protection and energy efficiency – representing a decisive step towards achieving our Roadmap to Net Zero.

The project integrates multiple technologies into one intelligent combined system. A brine to water heat pump uses both geothermal energy and waste heat, complemented by a PVT system that generates electricity and heat from sunlight. The geothermal energy is extracted from geothermal boreholes, and waste heat from server and technical rooms is integrated. Smart load and energy management ensure that the increased energy demand is met efficiently, even with regard to a possible expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

At the heart of the system is a geothermal probe field with 54 boreholes up to 150 meters deep. At this depth, temperatures remain constant year-round, making them ideal for heat extraction and supplying the brine circuit of the heat pump. This transition is expected to save approximately 124 tons of CO₂ annually — equivalent to about one-third of ILF Austria’s total Scope 1 emissions in 2024. An investment of over €2 million is being made in this project.

“Sustainability means taking responsibility — technologically, economically, and ecologically,” emphasizes ILF CEO Klaus Lässer. “The new energy system in Rum is another step on our path to Net Zero and shows how engineering and climate protection go hand in hand.”

GrAmLi sets new standards: Green hydrogen and integrated processes for climate-friendly ammonia production – a groundbreaking step for the industry.

Through the Green Ammonia Linz (GrAmLi) project, Austria pioneered an innovative pathway for decarbonizing industrial processes.” The objective was to replace fossil-based natural gas in ammonia production with a 60 MW PEM electrolysis plant, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 90,000 tons per year.
The project’s defining characteristic was the full integration of the electrolyzer into existing industrial processes, including the utilization of by-products such as oxygen and waste heat. The design aimed not only at producing green hydrogen but also at enhancing the overall efficiency of the production process—marking a significant step toward a more sustainable chemical industry.
ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH supported GrAmLi across multiple project stages, including concept development, feasibility studies, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), permitting, and EPC tendering. Through interdisciplinary technical planning, ILF played a key role in ensuring the feasibility and integration of this innovative solution.
Although the project will ultimately not be implemented, it has delivered valuable technical and planning insights that will inform future hydrogen and industrial decarbonization initiatives.

ILF contributes to a large-scale fire test with a battery-powered truck in a tunnel, helping to develop new safety standards for electric freight transport across the DACH region.

For the DACH eTruck project, a large-scale fire test in a tunnel with a battery-powered truck is conducted to gain new insights on the topic of transport infrastructure safety. With its expertise in tunnel safety, ILF is part of this innovative project carried out by The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and supported by the Federal Roads Office Switzerland (ASTRA), The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Germany (BMDV) and by the Federal Ministry Republic of Austria – Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK).
The aim of this fire test is to address unresolved issues about the fire behavior of big battery-powered trucks, firefighting and the effects of fires on tunnel users and infrastructure. The findings are used for the analysis of fire dynamics, the assessment of released pollutants, the spread of fire to truck loads as well as for recommendations for firefighting and safety of transport infrastructure.

The project consortium is led by the Technical University in Graz (TU Graz) and brings together leading experts such as ILF, WSP, HBI, STUVA and Montanuniversität Leoben. They all contribute their technical know-how on tunnel ventilation systems, safety of alternative drive systems as well as on firefighting and incident response strategies.

Photocredit: (c)Adobe Stock

ILF supports the Obrist Group in developing climate-friendly methanol as an alternative to fossil fuels, driving its implementation through technical analyses and market strategies.

ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH supports clients at the forefront of innovation, such as the Obrist Group, in addressing climate change through sustainable solutions.

Obrist, an Austrian company, is determined to revolutionize the automotive sector by developing a highly efficient drivetrain system as well as a concept to produce a cost-competitive, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Their innovative approach captures carbon dioxide and water from the atmosphere and subsequently converts them into methanol. In this process, more carbon is extracted from the atmosphere than is emitted when the methanol is later burned, thus reducing the impact on the environment. Furthermore, methanol’s properties allow for the continued use of existing infrastructure, making it arguably a cost-effective substitute for fossil fuels.

ILF has played a crucial role as a technical advisor for this concept, conducting comprehensive due diligence assessments, accompanied by market analysis, and providing input for intellectual property evaluation. Our efforts culminated in a detailed report that provides Obrist with the concise information necessary to attract potential investors and advance their vision of "Modern Forest Plants".

This project underscores the strength of collaboration between ILF entities and external partners, showcasing our ability to provide technical insight and assist with strategic market positioning. The success of this initiative opens new avenues for further partnerships and reaffirms ILF's commitment to being open to engaging in ideas for a sustainable future.

The "TUNSPEKT" project aims to revolutionize road tunnel inspection through the use of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).

The “TUNSPEKT” project aims to revolutionize the inspection of road tunnels through the use of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). A multinational consortium of experts in tunnel scanning, transport infrastructure and R&D are working on this project together.

A key element of the project is the development of the opto-acoustic “LaserBeat” system that can detect cavities in tunnel structures in a contactless manner. Additionally, a multispectral laser scanner is used to detect moisture, with alternative methods that utilize thermal inertia also being tested. Another highlight is the adaptation of the Dibit-Altira system, which allows the use of sensor technology in tunnel areas that are difficult to access.

The collected data is combined in 2D and 3D to facilitate the precise localization of the damage. New AI approaches are being developed for multimodal damage detection and categorization. Furthermore, methods are being adapted to automatically transfer tunnel areas which are difficult to access to Building Information Modelling (BIM), which forms the basis for digital twins.

In this project, the newly developed methods will be tested in two Austrian road tunnels. The emphasis is on tunnel areas with known damage that is difficult to detect using standard methods.

At the end of the project, the clients, ASFINAG, BAST and ASTRA, will receive demo data and reports, as well as an analysis of the medium- and long-term R&D roadmap.

The research project is being funded by the Security Research Funding Program (“KIRAS”) set up by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (“BMLRT”) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (“BMBF”).

The HyTRA research project examines the safety risks of hydrogen-powered vehicles in tunnels to enable early measures for a secure infrastructure.

Copyright Image: Fire and explosion risks of new energy carrier vehicles in tunnels: latest findings and concepts for tunnel risk assessment framework implementation, Proceedings of the 20th International Symposium on Aerodynamics Ventilation and Fire in Tunnels, Copenhagen, 2024

The HyTRA (Hydrogen Tunnel Risk Assessment) research project investigates the safety-related aspects of hydrogen-powered vehicles (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, FCEVs) in tunnels. The project aims at identifying potential risks at an early stage to enable operators to adapt their infrastructure in good time and ensure safe conditions.

• The project’s innovative approach:
  • • • • Detailed scenario analysis:
          

          HyTRA develops realistic accident scenarios, including the controlled release of hydrogen through the Thermal Pressure Relief Device (TPRD), possible tank explosions and the formation of hydrogen clouds followed by an explosion. These scenarios are investigated in detail using numerical simulations to assess the specific risks in tunnel environments.

        • Quantitative risk modelling:
          

          The obtained data are used in a quantitative tunnel risk model that systematically analyses the consequences of hydrogen incidents. This model serves as a basis for sound recommendations for action which support tunnel operators and users in minimizing risks.

        • Integration into guidelines:
          

          The recommendations developed in the project are integrated in national and international standards. The aim is to improve safety in tunnels in connection with new propulsion technologies and to establish a basis for future regulations.

HyTRA is characterized by its innovative approach of combining realistic simulations with comprehensive risk modeling. The project provides essential findings on the safe integration of hydrogen technology into existing infrastructure facilities and is a major driver in the development of modern safety standards.

RecyCL turns salty road runoff into reusable brine – a forward-thinking move for water protection and circular economy.

Foto: ORF/Georg-Hummer

As part of the pilot project RecyCL, ILF, together with ASFINAG, is setting new standards in sustainable water management. The goal is to transform salt-laden road runoff into reusable brine for winter road maintenance while protecting receiving water bodies from salt pollution — an innovative contribution to the circular economy and the protection of aquatic ecosystems.

The desalination system, installed at the Lest water protection facility in Upper Austria, uses a multi-stage process involving coarse particle removal, oxidation, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis to treat the brine and significantly reduce the chloride content in the discharged water. The compact system consists of three winter-proof containers housing all the necessary equipment, including remote control functionality. The pilot plant is designed for continuous winter operation and is currently undergoing pilot testing. Due to the exceptionally mild winter of 2024/25, less road salt was used, resulting in a lower desalination load for the system. This time period was used to test the plant’s functionality and implement minor process adjustments. Now, we eagerly await the coming winter and look forward to an "icy season."

ILF is acting as the “Owner’s Engineer,” supporting the project from the preliminary study through concept development and tendering to technical support during pilot operation. RecyCL serves as a model for resource-efficient infrastructure projects that combine ecological responsibility with technical innovation.

The Boknafjord Tunnel in Norway employs fully electric machinery and innovative fire safety concepts, marking a milestone in sustainable tunneling.

The Boknafjord Tunnel is currently under construction as part of the E39 Rogfast project in Norway. It will break records as the world’s longest and deepest undersea road tunnel. The Norwegian Public Road Administration, Statens vegvesen, is using this project as a pilot project for sustainable construction, employing fully electric construction machinery. A consortium including ILF was commissioned to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment for the use of battery-powered dump trucks for the mass transport of tunnel excavation material. Based on findings from previous research projects (with live fire tests), ILF carried out detailed fire simulations which prove that no significant changes in the risk profile of fires are to be expected in comparison to diesel-powered dump trucks. But the longer duration of battery fires requires an adjustment of the fire protection concepts for the construction phase.

The investigations have also shown that this concept serves to efficiently minimize GHG emissions, but that the frequent replacement of batteries is likely to have a considerable impact on construction logistics. Through these innovative solutions, the project will contribute to making tunnelling safer and more environmentally friendly, and to gaining knowledge for future large-scale projects.

Image: ©Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) and Norconsult

The "KITT" project leverages AI and real-time data to enhance tunnel safety and efficiency.

The research project “KITT – Artificial Intelligence for the Improvement of Safety of Tunnels and Tunnel Control Centers” is an important step towards safe and resilient road tunnels. The project, coordinated by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) and supported by a German-Austrian consortium, aims to improve safety in road tunnels by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS).

ILF Consulting Engineers served as the consortium leader for the Austrian project partners and as the technical expert for the electromechanical equipment, operation and safety assessment of road tunnels. In the process, the tunnel risk model TuRisMo was developed into a real-time risk analysis model by integrating dynamic traffic data. This innovation makes it possible to identify hazards and anomalies in tunnels faster and more reliably, which not only increases safety in tunnels but also improves the efficiency and availability of the entire road network.

The project was funded by the KIRAS security research funding program (KIRAS) of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The results of the project were successfully tested on real tunnel structures and demonstrate the great potential of AI-based technologies for the future of mobility.

For the project, this constitutes a new standard of quality assurance, which has been implemented for the first time with such professionalism and which will be a yardstick for future projects.

On account of the growing complexity of day-to-day project work, the demands on reporting are increasing significantly. Due to the lack of automated processes, classic reporting is prone to errors, only partially up to date and time consuming as well.

By implementing analytical software solutions such as MS Power BI, the great potential of information management can also be used for reporting. The aim is to visualize project-specific data both quantitatively and qualitatively, and in a structured and descriptive manner. These project cockpits are used for quality assurance and also for project coordination and control.
For the project, 2. S-Bahn-Stammstrecke München (2nd Munich S-Bahn Main Line), the Client, Deutsche Bahn, requested quality assurance for BIM in the design phase for various disciplines. In the course of the general BIM coordination, ILF Consulting Engineers developed the quality assurance process by means of MS Power BI. In a multi-stage procedure, the quality of the individual technical models was evaluated and presented in a report. After the client’s approval, a uniform workflow, an interdisciplinary template and a project-specific user guide were developed.
For the project, this constitutes a new standard of quality assurance, which has been implemented for the first time with such professionalism and which will be a yardstick for future projects.

ILF tunneling experts used CD to create optimized tunnel profile designs for the creation of building information modeling (BIM) models of tunnels based on real-world tunnel projects.

Through the application of Computational Design (CD) on infrastructure projects, ILF Consulting Engineers breaks new ground. The approach was based on combining the CD skills with engineering and software expertise. Together, this combination was able to recognize the possibilities and streamline design processes with increased quality and time savings.

ILF tunneling experts used CD to create optimized tunnel profile designs for the creation of building information modeling (BIM) models of tunnels based on real-world tunnel projects. Using generative design solutions which allow the user to set variables and desired goals such as minimum excavation area and/or required ventilation area, an optimized tunnel cross section is produced and used in turn for the creation of the BIM models.

A further example involved the design of tunnel branches based on inputs such as typical cross section data, alignments, gradients, chainages and cross slope information. A parametric 3D model of the tunnel branch geometry and 2D sections of the tunnel profiles are produced. By reducing the time for production of design alternatives to 20 %, various alternatives can be considered and the quality of the final design can be optimized.

Here you can find a video: Link

In 2018, a M7.5 earthquake hit Papua New Guinea. ILF responded quickly, supporting the Operator’s ground staff to assess the damage via overnight design verification during the weeks immediately following the earthquake.

In February 2018, a M7.5 earthquake hit remote regions of Papua New Guinea (PNG). As a result, thousands of landslides originated from hilltops and ridges, several of which affected the PNG LNG upstream operating facilities that deliver natural gas from the PNG Southern Highlands, via a high pressure gas pipeline, to the LNG plant in Port Moresby. The ILF team responded quickly, supporting the Operator’s ground staff to assess the damage via overnight design verification during the weeks immediately following the earthquake.

Several sites where the Right of Way (ROW) could become unstable (if not adequately stabilized in the future) were categorized as having high priority with regard to repairs. A new repair solution for the ROW was then developed by ILF for several sites along the affected 100 km stretch of the pipeline system. This repair solution does not provide slope stabilisation but instead works to maintain and increase the stability, at least in parts of the ROW, as well as maintain intact soil–structure interaction.

The remoteness of the region makes it impossible to bring in heavy equipment. Some sites can only be accessed by helicopter. Taking these conditions into account, the ILF team developed a concept involving the installation of micropiles which come in 3 m sections and are subsequently connected. Similar to the well-established pipe umbrella system used in tunnel systems, these micropiles are installed vertically (using a drill rig mounted on a 12-ton spider excavator) to form a retaining wall. The spider excavator has been chosen as it is able to traverse the difficult terrain, and can be transported by helicopter, if required. In many places the micropile walls are drilled in parallel lines, left and right of the pipeline and cross-connected with tie rods for additional stability.

A completely new method of application has been developed and tailored to meet the project-specific needs. Different types of constraints, such as the remote terrain, unstable ground, high rainfall, complex construction conditions, local safety issues, the need to keep maintenance costs to a minimum and many more factors define the boundary conditions of the detailed design.

As a consequence of ILF’s rapid response, the first sections of the ROW could be stabilized and construction successfully completed with hardly any unexpected difficulties. Through the continuous development of new ideas, which made this project an interesting challenge for the project team, the constraints posed by the nature of the surrounding terrain could be overcome and the Client’s goals could thus be achieved.

The companies Dibit Measuring Technique (Dibit Messtechnik GmbH) and ILF jointly developed the software “GeoTool” during construction of the 2nd tube of the Perjen Tunnel between 2017 and 2018.

The companies Dibit Measuring Technique (Dibit Messtechnik GmbH) and ILF Consulting Engineers jointly developed the software “GeoTool”, for the digital geological mapping of the tunnel face, during construction of the 2nd tube of the Perjen Tunnel between 2017 and 2018, and optimized and further developed the tool during works for the ongoing excavation. Through the use of this tool, the quality of both documentation data and the mapping process itself can be significantly improved, thus providing clients with a better understanding of the geology encountered in tunnel projects. The system has been in use in the 2nd tube of the Karawanken Tunnel since 2019 and has received full approval and acceptance from the client of this project.

The GeoTool software is installed on a standard tablet and contains an integrated project database which includes the geometric information of all the excavation works which are to be mapped. A photo of the tunnel face, taken either indirectly with a high-resolution scanner, or directly using the camera integrated in the tablet, always serves as the basis for the geological mapping. The photo can thus be taken from a secured area, increasing the level of occupational safety.

Mapping of the tunnel face is then carried out using a drawing pen on the tablet’s touch screen. The software offers various drawing tools, which make it possible to record all geological conditions quickly and in detail. Categorized polygons, polylines and point notes can be used to sketch lithologies, faults, joints, overbreaks, rock bolts, water inflow and many more geological features. As the tunnel geometry is stored in the software, joint orientation can be marked using automatically aligned flags and the entered values can thus be immediately checked directly in the tunnel.

For each sketch, a data sheet can also be filled out, in which detailed information on each of the lithologies and structures is recorded. Work on the sketch or the data sheet can be interrupted at any time and continued or revised later on, for example in the office. A subsequent “fine drawing” of the mapped face is no longer necessary, thus saving a lot of time. An automatic report is generated as a result of the tunnel face documentation. Interfaces to other common geological documentation programs are also integrated in the software. These enable data to be synchronized and further processed, in a quick and uncomplicated way.

If the GeoTool software is used in combination with the handheld scanner, a high-resolution true-color 3D model of the tunnel intrados and tunnel face can be created after the scan data has been further processed. The structures recorded during the tunnel face mapping are included as metadata in the 3D model, and are displayed as separate 3D polydata on the tunnel surface. It is now also possible to carry out further analyses in the 3D model, such as the calculation of joint orientations and distances. The 3D model is particularly useful for illustrating geological conditions and for making predictions, for example predicting rock mass behavior. In addition to the benefits associated with the geological data that the 3D model provides, there are also many advantages to using the model when performing geometric checks (i.e. profile, shotcrete thickness and volume calculations) in tunnels.

With the help of the GeoTool and the use of already existing data from the raw excavation, geological documentation can be more easily brought into digital form and performed under safe conditions, without requiring any considerable additional effort.

RenRisk identifies the best possible project option optimizing technical, economic and risk aspects simultaneously, creating certainty for all involved stakeholders.

Investors and lenders involved in the hydropower asset class face a high degree of risk in decision making processes. Future water resources and energy prices are the drivers of risk on the income side, while the geological conditions within the project site are the drivers of risk on the cost side of hydropower investments. The generally accepted approach to project development is to perform economic risk evaluation at the end of the project development cycle. By that time, the project variant and important project parameters have been chosen based on engineering experience, and only a few project alternatives are analyzed to keep development costs low. Often enough, projects then turn out to be not bankable and a considerable amount of time, cost and extra engineering effort is required to achieve bankability through an iterative trial-and-error process.

To speed up the project development process, minimize cost and thus reduce development risk, ILF has developed an innovative software-based approach, named RENRisk™. The essence of RENRisk™ is to focus on the bankability of the project from the very beginning. RENRisk™ models all aspects of hydropower projects in an integrated way. It simultaneously computes investment costs (based on unit prices and quantity calculations for all key project structures), energy output and energy prices, as well as financial indicators. Important project parameters such as design flow, waterway cross-sections, dam/intake height, etc. are not chosen based on experience, but are systematically analyzed.

However, RENRisk™ doesn’t stop there. Instead of just determining expected costs and benefits, each project alternative is subjected to thousands of scenarios of water resource availability, energy prices and geological conditions, using the Monte Carlo method. Thus, all possible profitability outcomes of a certain project alternative can be made visible. This allows the project alternative, that yields the highest return at the lowest construction, operation and market risk, to be easily found. Besides, knowing the risk profile of a project including all possible variants and alternatives, greatly facilitates the financing process, as lengthy discussions with lenders regarding the “lender scenario” can be avoided.

Due to its high degree of automatization, hundreds of project variants, thousands of project alternatives and millions of business cases can be analyzed with RENRisk™ within the timeframe of a regular alternatives study. RENRisk™ has been successfully applied in numerous projects around the world, where the NPV and IRR could be greatly increased to ensure bankability at the very beginning of the project development process.

Download RENRisk brochure

In September 2018, the Taimeralm Energy Recovery Station, the World’s First Crude Oil Pipeline Power Plant, was opened.

Due to the topography of the Transalpine Oil Pipeline, slackline sections occur in the downhill pipeline on the northern side of the Alps. In these sections, the pipeline is not completely filled with crude oil and only partly wetted. Since slackline sections pose operational challenges, the Transalpine Oil Pipeline operator looked at possibilities to minimize the length of the slackline section on the northern slope of the Felbertauern mountain range and to change the slackline flow conditions to packline flow conditions.

After ILF identified and evaluated all possible options, ILF had the pioneering idea of using a classic hydropower Francis turbine as the best technical and economical solution to implement this project. Among other things, this solution was chosen, as the station is located at approx. 1,335 m.a.s.l. in a landscape protection area, which made it necessary to plan a very compact system to minimize the impact on nature. Furthermore the greatly varying flow in the pipeline placed high demands on the flexibility of the system to ensure the optimum recovery of energy.

When implementing this project, this unique innovative approach of adapting a turbine used in hydropower engineering to the needs presented by the oil & gas industry, had to be developed step by step. To this end, various technical details, which are of no significance for hydropower plants, had to be designed from scratch. This involved finding a solution for a gastight wall duct for the shaft between the turbine and the generator. With the turbine being situated in the machine hall, specific explosion protection requirements have to be met. The generator is located in a room separated from the machine room by a concrete wall. In order to prevent a potentially explosive atmosphere from spreading from the machine room to the generator room, a 100 % gastight, pressurized turbine shaft wall duct with adequate safety provisions had to be constructed.

The turbine ultimately installed covers a flow ranging from 2,400  to 7,000 m³/h, while the inlet pressure for the energy generation can vary from 12.0  to 21.0 bar. With an installed (net) capacity of 2,500 kW and the latest throughput forecasts for the Transalpine Oil Pipeline, the annual power generation will be approx. 11.5 GWh. This corresponds to the annual power demand of approx. 3,000 single-family homes.

In September 2018, the Taimeralm Energy Recovery Station, the World’s First Crude Oil Pipeline Power Plant, was officially opened.

An innovative concept for the decentralized production of hydrogen for the transport sector as well as for special applications.

To meet the climate targets of the Paris 2015 Agreement by further decreasing CO2 emissions, it is necessary to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix and to also replace fossil fuels in the mobility sector at a progressive rate.

The more energy from wind and solar power is in the energy mix, the more long-term storage is needed. Hydrogen has the great advantage that it can be used both for long-term storage of electric power and as fuel for mobility purposes. Surplus renewable energy can be converted to hydrogen by means of electrolysis and stored before it is used in the mobility sector. In 2014, for example, the surplus renewable energy in Germany was 1.5 TWh. This amount of energy would have been sufficient to power 150,000 cars!

The decentralized production of hydrogen at fuelling stations constitutes a rational supplement to the centralized generation and storage of hydrogen in large facilities that require transportation and distribution over large distances in order to fuel cars, trucks and busses. The decentralized production of hydrogen for the transport sector but also for special applications is an innovative solution. ILF offers support in designing and engineering customized facilities, covering all relevant technical disciplines and assisting clients in the authority approval process.

ILF gives further impetus to digitalization

The world is changing, but does this development also change me? This is a question the players in the construction and real estate industry may have been asking themselves for too long. Among the countless changes that once took decades and now happen in only a few years, digitalization is presumably one of the biggest and thus one of the most challenging changes of our time. When comparing the construction and real estate industry with other sectors such as financial services, retail and/or wholesale, there is still room for further progress in digitalization.

In addition to numerous internal innovation processes in the context of digitalization that are currently underway, ILF, jointly with other prestigious companies, actively shapes the drive towards digitalization in the engineering sector.

Together with its cooperation partners ATP Planungs- und Beteiligungs AG, Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft m.b.H., ENGIE Austria GmbH, Kommunalkredit Austria AG, PORR AG, Siemens AG Österreich, AIS Energy Advisors AG and Wien Energie GmbH, ILF is pursuing and sponsoring the development and implementation of a start-up contest and event for the construction and real estate industry.

The cooperation is founded on the common understanding of the partners that the rapidly advancing digitalization seen in many sectors and business processes will also bring about comprehensive change in the construction and real estate industry.

The development of a “digital twin”, that is the digital representation of structures across all life cycle phases (development, planning and design, construction and operation), will play a decisive role in this process.

The initiative not only sends an impulse to the construction and real estate industry to promote digitalization, but it also helps ILF to tap into the digital know-how of start-ups and to lay the foundations to push ahead in the world of digitalization.

For more information about the contest, please visit: http://www.ig-lebenszyklus.at/digital-building-solutions/

A performance based approach to road tunnel safety

Through the implementation of the EC Directive 2004/54/EC, tunnel safety has become a very important issue when designing and operating road tunnels. As a consequence, Austria introduced a performance-based approach to road tunnel safety. In its first publication, the Austrian Tunnel Risk Model (TuRisMo) described one of the first methods for analyzing and evaluating road tunnel safety in a quantitative manner.

TuRisMo combines a set of different methodical elements to analyze a tunnel system in its entirety, taking an integrated approach. In its application, it allows for a quantitative assessment of almost all decisive factors that influence tunnel safety. This helps to optimize investments in tunnel safety in a cost-efficient way.

Further information can be found at www.tunnelriskmodel.at

Risk-based approach to protect land transport infrastructure against extreme rainfall

Floods have affected more people and caused more damage globally than any other natural hazard. At present, the protection of land transport infrastructure against extreme weather phenomena follows a deterministic approach. As recent weather events have revealed, the actual situation is not reflected in a sufficiently comprehensive manner. The criticality of infrastructure systems being able to withstand potential natural disasters is not always considered during the design process. The research project RAINEX proposes a risk-based methodology to assess the vulnerability of transport infrastructure to extreme rainfall. This assessment is based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of the vulnerability and criticality of the relevant infrastructure. The project also includes a tool to support owners and operators when making decisions on infrastructure issues.

The project is a joint effort by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), Germany; the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), Greece; and ILF Consulting Engineers, Austria. It is funded by the Prevention, Preparedness, and Consequence Management of Terrorism and other Security-related Risks (CIPS) Program of the European Commission (DG HOME).

Further information can be found at: http://www.rainex-project.eu/

Download RAINEX brochure

A patented device for the better and faster construction of cut-and-cover tunnels

The construction of cut-and-cover tunnels in weak soil and with high groundwater levels is time consuming due to extensive shoring. After the construction and backfilling of the tunnel tube, the shoring should be removed because, among other things, it may obstruct the groundwater flow.

As an alternative a new construction method is proposed – similar to the method used for single-shell TBM driven tunnels – in order to allow the construction of a tunnel tube without the need for temporary shoring. This method uses a machine that allows a continuous advance of the tunnel and a parallel installation of precast elements.

The new construction method significantly reduces the impact on the environment during construction. As no permanent construction pit support elements remain in the ground, any long-term impact on the environment is minimized. Moreover, the construction method leads to significantly reduced construction times.

This method was patented in Austria (no AT 511199) and a patent application was filed under the PCT.

Download Mobile Construction Pit brochure

A test bench to study and simulate hot smoke resulting from fire events in tunnels

To support and further develop its in-house software NUMSTA3, ILF has a test bench to perform experiments to investigate the flow of hot smoke. This test bench was designed, built, and tested as part of a scientific research project carried out in collaboration with Delft University of Technology. It was co-funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG.

The test bench simulates selective smoke extraction in a road tunnel at a scale of 1:30. Smoke is extracted from the traffic area via an extraction point. Smoke flows towards the extraction point from both sides. Hot smoke flows toward the exhaust opening from the side of the fire source, and fresh air from the other side. Due to differences in flow densities between the two sides, specific flow conditions may be observed in the area of the extraction point.

The aim of the investigations is to determine the pressure loss coefficients for flows with different densities and velocities. For cold flows, such pressure loss coefficients have already been addressed in the relevant technical literature. The necessity of the investigations performed by ILF stems from a lack of documented pressure loss values when air flows with different densities merge.

In the framework of research papers submitted by students graduating from HTL Anichstraße (mechanical engineering department), Innsbruck, a large amount of experimental data was collected, and various phenomena such as the correlation between the pressure loss coefficients and the Reynolds number were investigated in detail. The findings of the experimental investigations were then used and incorporated into the NUMSTA3 software to calculate pressure losses.

This test bench forms the basis for other fundamental studies carried out to better understand the effects of smoke extraction systems in tunnels. The information gained from these studies is applied to the design of smoke extraction systems in road and railway tunnels, and metro systems to increase safety in tunnels on both the national and international level.

A unique software package to simulate ventilation systems in road and rail tunnels

The NUMSTA3 software (NUMerical Simulation of Tunnel Aerodynamics, Version 3) was developed by ILF to calculate transient flows in complex tunnel systems. The software is especially suited to simulate vehicle movement in closed cross sections, to dimension tunnel ventilation systems, and to develop control algorithms for ventilation systems.

This software was created so that transient flow behavior in complex systems can be predicted at any given location and point in time at a scale of 1:1. The geometrical input data are used to generate a three-dimensional scaled model of the tunnel or metro system. The created geometrical model is discretized into a finite number of segments using a finite volume method according to the calculation requirements. During the simulation, all relevant calculation factors are recorded and displayed directly on a screen.

The NUMSTA3 software continues to be developed further in the framework of various research projects. As part of a research project conducted together with Graz University of Technology, a thermal model for road tunnel fires was developed and incorporated into the software.

For the scientific investigation of pressure losses during the extraction of hot smoke, a research project co-funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG was conducted in collaboration with Delft University of Technology. The software was validated by comparing flow measurements in tunnels with analytical calculation methods and 3D and 1D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation programs.

The NUMSTA3 software has been used for more than a decade to design ventilation systems and to investigate the aerodynamic behavior of trains in tunnel projects carried out in Europe, the Middle East, Canada, and the USA. For a project in California, the client opted for the NUMSTA3 instead of the SES software – the Subway Environmental Simulation software normally used in the USA, which has received international recognition over more than 30 years – as the advantages of NUMSTA3 over SES have been impressively demonstrated.

A unique hydraulic software program for designing and simulating pipeline systems and power plants

For more than 30 years ILF has developed its own in-house expert software for hydraulic steady-state and transient modelling, the optimization of large oil and water transmission and distribution systems, and hydropower plants. During the last two years the entire software package has been relaunched in C/C++ programming language and expanded with modern interfaces. The new tool called “I-Flow” also incorporates many additional features such as open surface flow operation.

The I-Flow software package is specifically designed for the full range of steady-state and surge analysis applications for pipeline systems and power plants. The tool ensures exceptional simulation accuracy when compared to as-built system performance. It not only serves as a hydraulic modelling tool, but can also be used to simulate proposed control systems. It also allows a realistic real-time simulation and adjustment of system operation and hydraulic behavior based on only one mathematical software model. Due to the flexible concept, the software can be adjusted to very specific project-related needs.

I-Flow represents a unique design tool offering features which are not available with commercially available products.

A test plant to demonstrate the new dual circulating fluidized bed gasification process

Dual fluidized bed (DFB) systems are the key to a number of emerging energy conversion technologies. Typical applications are steam gasification of biomass and coal, as well as the selective CO2 absorption from exhaust gas or synthesis gas streams. Another promising application of this process is the selective transport of oxygen by means of bed material for chemical looping combustion and reforming (CLC/CLR). In a classical DFB system, bed material (e.g. natural olivine sands) is heated up in one chamber, while the gasification of the feedstock (e.g. biomass) takes place in a separate chamber. Usually, the gasification chamber is constructed as a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) integrated into the return loop of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustion chamber, which provides the thermal energy for heating up the bed material. A crucial point for the quality of the process gas is the gas-solids interaction in the gasification chamber. In order to enhance this crucial factor, the new dual circulating fluidized bed gasification, as developed by the University of Technology in Vienna (TU Wien), has two interconnected CFB reactors. One major advantage of this system is that the overall bed material circulation can be managed independently from the fluidization condition in the gasification reactor. This allows the fluidization condition in the gasification reactor to be optimized for the conversion of biomass to process gas.

Between 2009 and 2015, ILF was involved in the development of a new type of dual circulating fluidized bed biomass-gasifier at the TU Wien. In order to demonstrate this new dual circulating fluidized bed gasification process, a 100 kWth test plant was designed and constructed at the Institute of Chemical Engineering (TU Wien). ILF supported the research team by providing technical expertise for the scale up of process plants and for the financial modeling of possible business scenarios.

The new developed process of dual circulating fluidized bed gasification results in higher conversion rates and greater overall efficiency. In addition, the new reactor design helps to improve the gas quality with a reduced amount of tars leading to a more simplified gas conditioning System.

More information:
http://www.vt.tuwien.ac.at/chemische_verfahrenstechnik_und_energietechnik/zukunftsfaehige_energietechnik/vergasung_und_gasreinigung/projekte/g_volution_ii/

A multi-criteria methodology to optimize the alignment of traffic and transport projects

Obtaining the necessary permits for construction projects is increasingly becoming a decisive factor for the realization of a project. Especially for traffic and transport projects with a large number of project stakeholders, this is becoming more and more of a challenge. To address this topic ILF has developed a multi-criteria approach in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify the best project alternative.

For GIS-based constraint mapping, all spatial constraint data possibly impacting the future project are collected, evaluated, and integrated into the GIS. These data will be processed and subsequently allocated to different constraint classes. Constraint values are assigned to constraint classes depending on their protection status.

The system will automatically compute possible corridors as well as the alignment with the least overall impact that is most likely to gain acceptance.

A novel energy storage concept using pumps to lift tall rock cylinders, and turbines for energy recovery

In the struggle against climate change, the transition of energy production to renewable sources such as wind and solar is of prime importance. However, fluctuating wind speed, solar radiation, and cloud cover lead to fluctuations in production which are inconsistent with patterns of consumption. For this reason, the storage of electric energy and its timely release during periods of low production will play an ever more central role in providing a sustainable energy supply.

A variety of new energy storage concepts are now in the development stage. One very promising concept – “Gravity Storage”, referred to as “Hydraulic Rock Storage” – makes it possible to store large amounts of energy using a relatively small land area. Energy is stored by lifting a large rock “piston” and thus increasing its potential energy. The piston is located in a cylindrical opening in the surrounding rock. A unique sealing system is installed between the piston and the cylinder wall, so that in storage mode, the piston can be lifted by water pumped into the annular space; the electric energy utilized by the pumps is thus stored for future use. Later when demand exceeds supply, stored energy can be recovered in generation mode when the water is released and directed to turbines to generate electric energy.

ILF engineers are assisting Heindl Energy GmbH with the development of the gravity storage technology, and their goal to verify its feasibility by constructing and operating a pilot project.

Further information: http://www.heindl-energy.com/

The GIS-based analysis model developed by ILF is a valuable tool for an extensive and efficient identification of the best potential sites for hydropower plants.

The GIS-based analysis model developed by ILF is a valuable tool for an extensive and efficient identification of the best potential sites for hydropower plants. The model allows permitting criteria such as protected areas, corridor spacings, land use and settlement patterns, as well as economic parameters, etc. to be integrated into the analysis as early as sites have been identified. It furthermore allows cost estimates for plant and equipment components and for necessary infrastructure facilities (e.g. access roads) or costs for grid connections to be incorporated.

The model is suited to assess various types of hydropower plants (run-of-river plants, diversion plants, and pumped storage plants). For the individual sites, different approaches are available to calculate possible storage areas and storage volumes. Different types of storage facilities (weirs, dams, ring dams, etc.) are perfectly fit into the existing terrain model and the ideal storage facility is modeled for every individual site and specific project requirement. It is also possible to shed light on cut and fill works early on in the project, which may provide first indications for the management of excavation material. The most attractive sites can then be identified by evaluating the database information with a special focus on individual criteria (e.g. energy content, head or maximum height of dam structure, maximum length of headrace system, etc.).

The model can be used to analyze new areas suited for the development of hydropower plants and to identify existing areas with hydropower plants available for the development of untapped potential. Yet another considerable advantage is that the feasibility of a project can be assessed in an objective way at a very early project stage.

A research project for the adaptation of critical infrastructures to the consequences of climate change in mountain regions

Different infrastructures in high alpine regions are increasingly affected by climate change. Permafrost and retreating glaciers affect the stability of numerous slopes. In the framework of the AdaptInfra research project, methods are developed for the investigation, risk assessment, and monitoring of parts of slopes that are partly vulnerable and difficult to access.

To this end, several selected case studies were investigated, in terms of both slow slope deformations as well as rapid fall, slide, and flow processes. Detailed structural-geological and geotechnical surveys of selected slopes were conducted.

The main aims are the application of remote sensing methods (above all laser scanning), the preparation of data for GIS, and the implementation of software tools to analyze slope deformations and geological structures (rock mass characteristics, volume and mass balances, and 3D displacement vectors of surface deformations). These methods and workflows are tested and optimized in different case studies. They can be applied when planning support and protection measures for infrastructures and can be used as monitoring systems.

The project AdaptInfra is part of the alpS research program and, within the framework of the COMET program “Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies” launched by FFG, is sponsored by the Austrian federal government (BMVIT, BMWFW) and the provincial government of the Tyrol. It is supported by various project partners such as the University of Innsbruck, the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), BOKU Vienna, University of Freiburg, TIWAG – Tiroler Wasserkraft AG, and ILF Consulting Engineers.

* As part of its research and development strategy, ILF became one of the founding members and a permanent operational and financial partner of the alpS GmbH (Competence Centre for Alpine Geohazards).

A research project for the process analysis, monitoring and modelling of deep-seated landslides in the Alps

The objectives of the COMET research projects were multidisciplinary investigations of deep-seated landslides in high mountain regions. The interaction of geological, geomechanical, and hydrogeological parameters was investigated by means of interdisciplinary analyses of numerous case studies in the field and laboratory, as well as by means of numerical modelling. This improved the understanding of the formation and deformation mechanisms of slope movements. One research priority was to investigate and monitor mass movements in areas affected by permafrost and retreating glaciers in the vicinity of infrastructure facilities. On the basis of that data and taking into account possible climatic changes, methods and approaches were defined for the assessment of hazard potentials. Therefore both slow slope deformations as well as rapid fall, slide, and flow processes were investigated.

These projects were part of the alpS research program and, within the framework of the COMET program “Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies” launched by FFG, were sponsored by the Austrian federal government (BMVIT, BMWFW) and the provincial government of the Tyrol. They were supported by various project partners such as the University of Innsbruck, Graz University of Technology, the Technical University of Munich, ETH Zurich, the University of British Columbia, TIWAG – Tiroler Wasserkraft AG, geo.zt gmbh, alpECON KEG, and ILF Consulting Engineers.

* As part of its research and development strategy, ILF became one of the founding members and a permanent operational and financial partner of the alpS GmbH (Competence Centre for Alpine Geohazards).

A research project for the investigation of the effect of hydropower plants during heavy rainfalls that are a consequence of climate change in alpine valleys

Hydropower plants are of great importance for providing readily available energy in alpine regions. Such water storage facilities may also contribute significantly to flood protection. For storage reservoirs of snow-making systems, this already comprises an essential aspect of the technical design.

In the framework of the COMET research project HydroX, it was investigated whether or not and to what extent different hydropower facilities can moderate flood peaks by providing retention capacity, thus reducing potential flood damage. The investigations take an event-based stochastic risk approach. Apart from documented precipitation events, a multitude of possible scenarios was generated; bed-load transport was explicitly considered by means of numerical modelling. The investigation area comprised the Ötztal valley in the Austrian Alps.

The HydroX project was part of the alpS research program and, within the framework of the COMET program “Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies” launched by the FFG, was sponsored by the Austrian federal government (BMVIT, BMWFW) and the provincial government of the Tyrol. It was supported by various project partners such as the University of Innsbruck, TIWAG – Tiroler Wasserkraft AG, and ILF Consulting Engineers.

* As part of its research and development strategy, ILF became one of the founding members and a permanent operational and financial partner of the alpS GmbH (Competence Centre for Alpine Geohazards).