The generation of electricity from solar and wind power continues to grow rapidly and production costs are already extremely low. When it comes to ensuring a comprehensive, safe and renewable 24/7 energy supply, the key challenges lie in the intelligent integration of renewable electricity into the energy system using digitalization and flexibilisation solutions. This also includes the massive expansion of battery and energy storage solutions. The mobility sector has a vital role to play in global decarbonisation. And above all else, the energy transition is a global task. The five categories recognised within the smarter E AWARD mirror this complex situation.
Modules for new surfaces and integration
The finalists in the Photovoltaics category thoroughly reflect current trends and challenges. Conventional PV modules may have become far more powerful and efficient in recent years, but available space remains a limiting factor when it comes to expanding photovoltaics. Technical developments are therefore trending towards innovations that make previously unused surfaces accessible for PV systems, such as particularly lightweight PV modules or PV modules with very high bifaciality that are suitable for vertical installations. Vertical installations are interesting options, both in an agricultural context and for infrastructure (such as noise barriers). Current trends in the inverter field are aimed at integrating more grid support and safety features, particularly in the commerce and industry sectors as well as for ground- mounted PV systems. Good examples of this include a power supply with phase accuracy, the option to connect to weak grid nodes, grid-forming functionality and enhanced monitoring of cooling or insulation resistance.
Finalists in the Photovoltaics category
7Secondsolar (South Africa) with its AUTOPV planning software solution
Aevy (Norway) with its Aevy asset management platform
Aiko Energy (China) with its ABC INFINITE PV module
Anhui Huasun Energy (China) with its Kunlun Series Ultra-high Bifaciality HJT solar module
LONGi Solar Technology (China) with its Hi-MO X10 module
MBJ Solutions (Germany) with its MBJ Sunlike Lab solar simulator
Seaward Electronic (UK) with its PV:1525-IV testing device
Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its SG350HX-20 string inverter
Sunmaxx PVT (Germany) with its Sunmaxx PX-1 combination module
Weidmüller Interface (Germany) with its PV Inline lightning and overvoltage protection
Current trends in storage technology
This year’s submissions in the Energy Storage category show that many manufacturers have taken installation challenges into account. In the residential storage sector, there is a trend towards systems that can be stacked in a modular fashion and that, therefore can connect with each other automatically. The number of devices suitable for outdoor use is also increasing. Manufacturers are increasingly commissioning industrial and large-scale storage systems and delivering them ready for installation. The trend in cell chemistry is moving strongly towards iron phosphate. Interconnection effort and costs are reduced by individual cells that are becoming increasingly larger. The market for 4h storage is becoming more significant for battery containers, and many containers have a maximum charge/discharge rate of 0.25C. Many systems use artificial intelligence for fault detection and energy management. SiC-based power electronics are increasingly being used to increase efficiency and reduce volume. System safety remains a focus and is being improved by the increased use of arc detection and multi-level safety concepts at the various system levels.
ees Europe 2025: storage industry meets battery research
Finalists in the Energy Storage category
CMBlu Energy (Germany) with its Organic SolidFlow Battery storage system
EcoFlow (China) with its PowerOcean DC Fit residential storage system
EVE Energy (China) with its Mr. Big battery cell
Huawei Technologies (China) with its ESS LUNA2000-215-2S10 storage system
Hydrostor (Canada) with its A-Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) system
p&e power&energy (Germany) with its Scalable Cell Level Power Electronics Platform inverter system
SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) with its U8A1 UPS solution
SOL Research (Germany) with its Powerstation 2.500
Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its PowerTitan 2.0 large-scale storage system
Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology (China) with its Power 6.25 MWh 4h BESS battery container
Products and solutions for electromobility
The large number of submissions in the E-Mobility category relating to solar carport solutions is particularly striking. This is a consequence of changes in the law regarding carports for large parking lots. The industry is responding with a comprehensive offering. High-current, high-voltage charging, especially in connection with the new MCS charging standard, is once again proving to be a driver of innovation. Special electrical safety components are now being developed specifically for the new requirements. Another trend is the use of PV on commercial vehicles that allows for the surface of a trailer to be utilized for additional power generation.
The smarter E Europe: Save billions with bidirectional charging
Finalists in the E-Mobility category
Cable-Sherpa (Austria) with its Cable-Sherpa cable management
DEHN (Germany) with its DEHNguard M DC ACI 1250 FM power protection switch
Etecnic (Spain) with its EVcharge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform
Friedrich (Germany) with its URBANROOF parking lot canopy
GoodWe (China) with its Vela Series Residential Solar Carport
Hive Power (Switzerland) with its Hive Power FLEXO Smart Charge SaaS solution
SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) with its No Thermal Propagation Technology battery concept
Schaltbau (Germany) with its C330 high-power DC contactor
Shenzhen Kehua Hengsheng Technology (China) with its EV3102-040K-HR-UC SiC charging module
OPES Solar Mobility (Germany) with its O.Motion matrix solar module series
Digital integration is key
The products and solutions submitted in the Smart Integrated Energy category vividly illustrate the intricacy and complexity of one of the key challenges facing the transition to tomorrow’s climate-neutral energy world. For the energy transition to be a success, electricity from renewable sources must be integrated into the energy system in a comprehensive and smart way, in more and more locations and at all grid levels.
The smarter E 2025: Energy management systems a „must have“
Finalists in the Smart Integrated Energy category
FENECON (Germany) with its FEMS FENECON energy management system
meteocontrol (Germany) with its mc Assetpilot
fleXality (Germany) with its AI-based fEnOMS software solution
Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its Stem Cell Grid Technology grid-forming inverter technology
Toscano (Spain) with its COMBI-PRO-MAX switching solution
Utiligize (Denmark) with its integrated Forecast & Investment platform
Zählerfreunde (Germany) with its white label energy management SaaS solution for utilities
The energy transition is being addressed worldwide
The finalists in the Outstanding Projects category provide excellent examples of how the energy transition, humanity’s major challenge, is being tackled across the globe. The spectrum ranges from large-scale green hydrogen production and large storage projects that ensure a steady supply of ever greener electricity, to the use of public institutions to generate solar power and projects providing cooling energy for food.
Finalists in the Outstanding Projects category
Beijing HyperStrong Technology (China) with its Beijing Siyuanqiao Integrated Charging Plus Storage Station Project
Beijing HyperStrongTechnology (China) with its 250 MW/1,000 MWh energy storage project in Santanghu
CyberGrid (Austria) with its Theiß Hybrid Storage System
Electricity Authority of Cyprus (Cyprus) with its installation of PV systems in 405 public schools
GIZ Indonesia (Indonesia) with its off-grid Solar Ice Maker project for fishing communities
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT (Germany) with its BiFlow hybrid storage system project
LONGi Solar Technology (China) with its 3000 Nm³/h Electrolyzer in Hydrogen-Rich Blast Furnace Smelting project
Phaesun (Germany) with its BeCool: Clean Cooling for Markets in Kenya project
Sungrow Hydrogen (China) with its Low Carbon Institute Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project
Xiamen Ampace Technology (China) with its energy storage project integrated into a high-voltage transformer station in Chile
The smarter E
Accelerating Integrated Energy Solutions – that is the goal of The smarter E, the world’s leading alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry. The aim is to create a future-oriented energy world by shining a spotlight on renewable energies, decentralization and digitalization as well as cross-industry solutions from the electricity, heat and transport sectors for a sustainable 24/7 energy supply. This global event series unites four exhibition brands: Intersolar, ees, Power2Drive and EM-Power. They all serve as platforms for presenting innovations that help move the energy industry forward. (hcn)
Further information on The smarter E can be found at: www.thesmartere.com
