Green Utopia
made in Green Tech Valley
Utopias are characterised by the unachievable and the fantastical. Yet this is precisely where their enormous power lies; it is these visions of the future that make revolutionary developments possible in the first place. “And the climate crisis, along with the associated shift towards a comprehensive resource-based and circular economy, similarly calls for almost utopian thinking,” says Bernhard Puttinger, Managing Director of Green Tech Valley, with conviction. “We must move faster than climate change. That is the order of the day. This calls for vision, this calls for courage, this calls for green solutions.” And Green Tech Valley, as an international hub for green research and innovation, plays a particularly important role in this.
Collaboration for a green future
For this reason, forces were joined for the first time in 2023 with Graz University of Technology, the Montanuniversität Leoben, the Institute for Design and Communication at Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Creative Industries Styria and the Styrian Timber Cluster for this cross-cluster and cross-university initiative. Since then, interdisciplinary teams of students have been turning green visions into reality in short videos based on the latest local research – and visualising a possible future for the energy transition, the mobility transition and the raw materials transition.
We dream it, so we can do it! - AGAIN
Green Utopia - made in Green Tech Valley 2025
From smart “soil sensors” and CO2 stored in building materials to visionary “Green Hydrogen Valleys” and wood-based building materials with an indefinite lifespan. “Green Utopia – made in Green Tech Valley” once again brought the future into focus through visionary Austrian research. The awards ceremony for this year’s researchers and Vizualize teams took place on May 27 as part of Design Month at the Hornig Areal.
Videos by young designers on Green Utopia 2025 & background information on research in the Valley
Integrity of Solid Wood Components: A Paradigm Shift from Re-Use to Ever-Use
The integrity-oriented concept (IOK) shows that 90% of the wood mass remains intact. This reduces the amount of virgin wood needed and maximizes recyclability. Conventional wood construction does not achieve this level of efficiency.
(Semi-)autonomous trolleys for the future of goods transport
The CarryMeHome concept offers a visionary solution for mobility and transportation in car-free (inner) cities of the future. At its core are (semi-)autonomous trolleys that serve as flexible and sustainable transportation aids.
FREE H
Fully Renewable EcosHystem
Huge photocatalytic hydrogen production plants at the Earth’s solar hotspots, floating electrolysis plants coupled with offshore wind farms, and end-user-friendly, internationally standardized modular systems are intended to create Hydrogen Valleys.
Recyclable-free residual waste bin in urban areas
This vision explores the question of what role AI-powered systems, digital sorting aids, or smart waste bins could play in
minimizing improper disposal and sustainably raising awareness of waste sorting in urban areas.
Biochar 2050:
From Use to Regeneration
Biochar is more than just a soil conditioner or a building material additive. It is a product that preserves value over the long term.
Biochar is specifically used to sequester carbon, close material cycles, and conserve resources.
Smart Soil Sensor for Healthy, High-Yielding Soils
The SPIN-FERT project aims to develop new soil management strategies.
The project involves processing various agricultural byproducts and waste materials to produce high-performance fertilizers and growing media without peat.
Photos from the closing event
We dream it, so we can do it!
Green Utopia - made in Green Tech Valley 2024
When carbon busters combat toxic gases in the atmosphere, when moulded components grow directly from trees or when bacteria as “employees” in industry ensure clean production, then this is Green Utopia – made in Green Tech Valley 2024. Eight short videos show how strong research at the site is making a green future possible.
The videos for Green Utopia 2024 Young designers visualize visionary, green research at the site
Wood as a key component in
high-tech products
Wooden components are not only lightweight and structurally strong, but also capable of storing CO₂. Researchers have developed processes that provide wood with natural fire protection, make it water-repellent and make the most of its insulating properties
Creating plant-based blood vessels
in the laboratory
Researchers are producing precise, personalised replicas of blood vessels using 3D printing of plant-based biopolymers. These offer greater biocompatibility, allow for customisation to individual patients and reduce the need for animal testing.
When cyanobacteria are the
new employees
In the future, we will have achieved a groundbreaking transformation in the chemical industry. At the heart of this revolution are cyanobacteria, which act as ‘green catalysts’ and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical processes.
The reinvention of peri-urban spaces
as ‘sponge areas’
A living environment as a ‘sponge city’: AI-driven water management systems regulate water flow and storage, whilst photocatalytic surfaces and integrated solar technology help to purify water and air whilst generating energy for public facilities.
What if nature were granted personality rights?
Resources would be regarded as common goods, the use of which must benefit all members of society as well as nature itself. This perspective promotes a more sustainable use of natural resources and ensures that future generations are also taken into account.
Depolarising electrolysers
as ‘carbon busters’
As part of the SHyRE project, researchers at Graz University of Technology are working on innovative, depolarised electrolysers. These operate by using a toxic gas from the atmosphere or from industrial waste gas to depolarise the electrolysis cell.
RailCharge: Electric cars will be
loaded onto trains
Instead of equipping electric cars with ever-larger batteries and encouraging private transport, electric cars will be loaded onto trains using innovative, efficient loading systems and automatically charged whilst in transit via Matrix Charging®.
A revolution in composting:
Biogenic waste free from microplastics
Plastics in compost not only jeopardise soil quality, but also find their way into our food chain.
In this utopia, the amount of plastic in biogenic waste is reduced through innovative, circular-economy-oriented processes.
Photos from the closing event
Green Utopia - made in Green Tech Valley 2023
Will trees store electricity in the future? Will we eat CO2 and store it in buildings? Will we change faster than the climate? Will we generate hydrogen directly from sunlight? What sounds utopian is being worked on at full speed in Green Tech Valley. Students from Graz University of Technology and the Institute for Design and Communication at Joanneum University of Applied Sciences have visualized current research results from Green Tech Valley into eight utopias of a green future as part of Designmonat Graz.
When green electricity
is stored in trees
The transformation of the energy system requires a massive expansion of the production capacity of renewable energy generation facilities. Large hot-water storage tanks convert summer heat into winter district heating, and innovative redox flow batteries support the grids.
When CO2 doesn't end up in the air,
but on your plate
The premise is this: capture, store, and utilize CO2 from various sources. Innovative processes are addressing this challenge, for example by using proteins derived from CO2 to replace animal feed—which has traditionally been highly climate-intensive—and, in the future, perhaps even to feed people.
How the Prince Woos the Princess with
Sustainability
Extreme weather, natural disasters... How do people, as social groups, respond to the effects of climate change?
Where are the social tipping points, and what is needed to motivate people to tackle these major challenges?
How Hydrogen from the Sun Powers Movement
The use of green hydrogen is a key component of the future energy system. In the future, the direct photocatalytic production of hydrogen without electrolysis is expected to be used—a game-changer for this important component of the future energy system.
How Buildings Will Become
CO2 Storage Sites in the Future
The idea of “Buildings as CO2 Storage” envisions buildings as CO2 sinks rather than CO2 emitters. To this end, the production of building components is made emission-free, the use of natural materials is promoted, and innovative technologies transform building components into CO2 sponges.
How Revolutionary Approaches Could Create a Waste-Free World
Waste is usually just a recyclable material in the wrong place.
To ensure a sustainable future, raw materials must be recovered from the trash and returned to the material cycle in order to create
a waste-free society.
How Cities Become Bioactive
Habitats
The idea: nature-based cities in which organic, bioactive, and energy-active surfaces cover the entire area, generating energy, food, and oxygen, while storing water and sequestering CO2. The focus here is on vertical farming and energy generation using new materials.
How Mobility Can Be Not Only Climate-Friendly but Also Relaxing
Modular transportation systems that function as a unified whole in terms of transportation but still combine the advantages of individual travel: This is the idea behind this vision, which builds on current developments such as autonomous driving, lightweight construction, and new forms of propulsion.
Photos from the closing event
Statements
‘Sustainable Systems' is TU Graz's greatest area of scientific strength. Here, researchers from all disciplines and faculties work together on complex challenges and research sustainable solutions. The spectrum of research topics ranges from future-orientated urban planning, innovative building technologies and the use of renewable energy sources to intelligent energy networks and green mobility. In disciplines such as railway research, hydrogen research or sustainable energy systems, TU Graz is one of the international research leaders. A location becomes a centre of innovation when it thinks and researches across disciplines, institutions and borders and works on solutions for major social challenges. Styria is such a place, where bright minds are uninhibited and inspired to research encouraging utopias. And initiatives like Green Utopia give them the stage."
The major challenges facing society in the areas of resource scarcity, climate, energy and the environment predominantly require the use of technical and scientific methods. The University of Leoben sees its task as making a significant contribution to overcoming these challenges through excellent research and high-quality education. One current project involves the construction of the new hydrogen centre, which will open in autumn. In future, this centre will conduct research at the highest level into the production of green hydrogen. Or in the field of recycling, where basic principles such as digital, sensor-based waste analysis and sorting technologies are being researched at a research facility. The University of Leoben has always been characterised by its networking and interdisciplinary cooperation. The Green Utopia project will further strengthen the location while benefiting the individual stakeholders. This project also offers space for visionary ideas and bold solutions."
As a university of the future, FH JOANNEUM is convinced that green utopias are needed to make the future of our society worth living in. We encourage people to think ahead and conduct research into important topics such as digitalisation, health, climate change, energy and mobility. Students and lecturers at all our institutes are therefore already tackling future topics in a practical way: the Energy Lab and Mobility Lab at FH JOANNEUM in Kapfenberg are researching renewable energies and forms of mobility, among other things. Environmentally friendly aviation is the focus of the Aviation degree programme in Graz, sustainable tourism at the Institute of Health and Tourism Management at FH JOANNEUM in Bad Gleichenberg. And last but not least, our Information Design students deal with green utopias when they visualise the contents of the eight green research utopias of 'Green Utopia' in order to communicate them to the public."
At the University of Graz, we provide answers to the questions of our time. For these major challenges, including digital change, social upheaval and the climate crisis, the University of Graz provides solutions and explanations that we bring to the people. For example, our researchers have achieved a breakthrough that could become a game changer for the plastics industry. Chemists have developed a fully recyclable, bio-based epoxy plastic. An innovation with major implications that combines environmental protection and economic efficiency. Scientists at the University of Graz are used to pushing the boundaries of the everyday and rethinking issues. For example, slowing down climate change requires the expertise of many disciplines: natural sciences, social sciences and law. We also cross borders in our collaboration with the universities on site: for example, with Graz University of Technology for 20 years in the NAWI Graz cooperation."