Lower Austria expands district cooling to combat rising heat

In Lower Austria, authorities and industry experts are expanding the use of district cooling to combat rising summer temperatures. This technology, which functions similarly to district heating, uses central plants to produce cold water that is transported through underground pipes to cool large buildings and facilities.

In St. Pölten, the system is already in use at the railway station, the University of Applied Sciences, and the University Hospital. Other regional hospitals in Mistelbach, Mödling, and Gänserndorf also rely on this network. Proponents, including the Fachverband Gas Wärme, note that district cooling can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50 percent compared to traditional air conditioning units and prevents the localized heat buildup caused by external AC exhaust.

To complement large-scale infrastructure, St. Pölten has also implemented localized cooling measures such as misting systems at Domplatz. These systems use fine water droplets to lower ambient temperatures through evaporation. While popular with residents for providing relief during heatwaves, the water consumption of such installations remains a point of local debate.