The justification for the honour was that “since 2006, the “Leoganger Bergbahnen GmbH” has been consistently implementing measures to improve its use of energy”. Thanks to the implementation of various energy efficiency measures such as heat recovery, conversion to a district heat supply, and optimum use of waste heat, the Leogang lift company has made a considerable contribution to climate protection and preservation of the environment. There are though other positive benefits other than those for the environment. “Through optimum use of energy, we save ourselves €500,000 every year. This represents enormous economic benefit for our lift company,” says director Kornel Grundner, director of the Leogang lift company.
“Thanks to the Asitz gondola lift’s heat recovery system, the workshop for the piste bashers, the Stöcklalm restaurant, and the entire mid station of the Asitzbahn lift are heated using waste heat from the lift’s gearing and motor. Also, in the construction of the Asitz II reservoir in close collaboration with the authorities, energy efficient meltwater collection systems were put in place. These projects could only be realised thanks to excellent collaboration with the nature conservation and water management departments of the province and the district of Zell am See.” Kornel Grunder explains 2 of the many measures. As a lift company, the Leoganger Bergbahnen GmbH is fully conscious of its environmental responsibility. Working together with Salzburg’s environment service and the Sattler energy advisory service, lots of measures have been implemented based on environmental factors.
Director Kornel Grundner accepted the award from federal minister Elisabeth Köstinger at the active climate conference on the 26 Novemebr 2018 in Vienna, together with project leader and deputy director Christian Oberlader.
