The generation of electricity from solar and wind power continues to grow rapidly, with production costs already extremely low. However, ensuring a comprehensive, safe, and renewable 24/7 energy supply presents key challenges. These lie in the intelligent integration of renewable electricity into the energy system, achieved through digitalization and flexibilisation solutions. This also includes the massive expansion of battery and energy storage solutions. The mobility sector plays a vital role in global decarbonisation, and above all, the energy transition remains a global task. The five categories recognised within the smarter E AWARD reflect this complex landscape.
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Modules for new surfaces and integration
The finalists in the Photovoltaics category thoroughly reflect current trends and challenges. While conventional PV modules have become significantly more powerful and efficient in recent years, available space remains a limiting factor in expanding photovoltaics. As a result, technical developments are focusing on innovations that make previously unused surfaces accessible for PV systems. These include particularly lightweight PV modules or highly bifacial modules suitable for vertical installations. Vertical installations are emerging as viable options for both agricultural applications and infrastructure, such as noise barriers. In the inverter field, current trends are centred on integrating more grid support and safety features, particularly in the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as for ground-mounted PV systems. Notable examples include power supplies with phase accuracy, the ability 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) – AUTOPV planning software solution
Aevy (Norway) – Aevy asset management platform
Aiko Energy (China) – ABC INFINITE PV module
Anhui Huasun Energy (China) – Kunlun Series Ultra-high Bifaciality HJT solar module
LONGi Solar Technology (China) – Hi-MO X10 module
MBJ Solutions (Germany) – MBJ Sunlike Lab solar simulator
Seaward Electronic (UK) – PV:1525-IV testing device
Sungrow Power Supply (China) – SG350HX-20 string inverter
Sunmaxx PVT (Germany) – Sunmaxx PX-1 combination module
Weidmüller Interface (Germany) – PV Inline lightning and overvoltage protection
Current trends in storage technology
This year’s submissions in the Energy Storage category highlight manufacturers' efforts to address installation challenges. In the residential storage sector, there is a clear trend towards modular systems that can be stacked and automatically connected with one another. Additionally, the number of devices suitable for outdoor use is steadily increasing. Manufacturers are also commissioning industrial and large-scale storage systems that come ready for installation. In terms of cell chemistry, iron phosphate is becoming the dominant choice. Individual cells are growing larger, which reduces interconnection effort and costs. The market for 4-hour storage is gaining traction, particularly in battery containers, many of which now have a maximum charge/discharge rate of 0.25C. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used for fault detection and energy management. SiC-based power electronics are improving efficiency and reducing system volume. System safety remains a priority, with advancements in arc detection and multi-level safety concepts across 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) – ESS LUNA2000-215-2S10 storage system
Hydrostor (Canada) – A-Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) system
p&e power&energy (Germany) – Scalable Cell Level Power Electronics Platform inverter system
SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) – U8A1 UPS solution
SOL Research (Germany) – Powerstation 2.500
Sungrow Power Supply (China) – PowerTitan 2.0 large-scale storage system
Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology (China) – Power 6.25 MWh 4h BESS battery container
Products and solutions for electromobility
A particularly notable trend in this year’s E-Mobility category is the large number of submissions focused on solar carport solutions – a direct response to recent legislative changes regarding carports for large parking lots. The industry is reacting with an extensive range of offerings. High-current, high-voltage charging, particularly in connection with the new MCS charging standard, continues to drive innovation. In response to these new requirements, special electrical safety components are being developed. Another emerging trend is the integration of photovoltaic systems on commercial vehicles, allowing the surface of trailers to be used for additional power generation.
The smarter E Europe: Save billions with bidirectional charging
Finalists in the E-Mobility category
Cable-Sherpa (Austria) – Cable-Sherpa cable management
DEHN (Germany) – DEHNguard M DC ACI 1250 FM power protection switch
Etecnic (Spain) – EVcharge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform
Friedrich (Germany) – URBANROOF parking lot canopy
GoodWe (China) – Vela Series Residential Solar Carport
Hive Power (Switzerland) – Hive Power FLEXO Smart Charge SaaS solution
SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) – No Thermal Propagation Technology battery concept
Schaltbau (Germany) – C330 high-power DC contactor
Shenzhen Kehua Hengsheng Technology (China) – EV3102-040K-HR-UC SiC charging module
OPES Solar Mobility (Germany) – O.Motion matrix solar module series
Digital integration is key
The products and solutions in the Smart Integrated Energy category vividly demonstrate the complexity of one of the key challenges in the transition to a climate-neutral energy future. For the energy transition to succeed, electricity from renewable sources must be integrated intelligently across various locations and grid levels, ensuring a comprehensive approach that supports the evolving energy system.
The smarter E 2025: Energy management systems a „must have“
Finalists in the Smart Integrated Energy category
FENECON (Germany) – FEMS FENECON energy management system
meteocontrol (Germany) – mc Assetpilot
fleXality (Germany) – AI-based fEnOMS software solution
Sungrow Power Supply (China) – Stem Cell Grid Technology grid-forming inverter technology
Toscano (Spain) – COMBI-PRO-MAX switching solution
Utiligize (Denmark) – integrated Forecast & Investment platform
Zählerfreunde (Germany) – white label energy management SaaS solution for utilities
The energy transition is being addressed worldwide
The finalists in the Outstanding Projects category showcase exceptional examples of how the global energy transition is being addressed. The range of projects spans from large-scale green hydrogen production and extensive storage systems that guarantee a stable supply of increasingly green electricity, to public institutions harnessing solar power and initiatives that provide cooling energy for food.
Finalists in the Outstanding Projects category
Beijing HyperStrong Technology (China) – Beijing Siyuanqiao Integrated Charging Plus Storage Station Project
Beijing HyperStrongTechnology (China) – 250 MW/1,000 MWh energy storage project in Santanghu
CyberGrid (Austria) – Theiß Hybrid Storage System
Electricity Authority of Cyprus (Cyprus) – installation of PV systems in 405 public schools
GIZ Indonesia (Indonesia) – off-grid Solar Ice Maker project for fishing communities
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT (Germany) – BiFlow hybrid storage system project
LONGi Solar Technology (China) – 3000 Nm³/h Electrolyzer in Hydrogen-Rich Blast Furnace Smelting project
Phaesun (Germany) – BeCool: Clean Cooling for Markets in Kenya project
Sungrow Hydrogen (China) – Low Carbon Institute Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project
Xiamen Ampace Technology (China) – energy storage project integrated into a high-voltage transformer station in Chile
The smarter E
Accelerating integrated energy solutions is the key goal of The smarter E, the world’s leading alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry. The initiative focuses on building a future-oriented energy world by highlighting renewable energy, decentralization, digitalization, and cross-sector solutions for a sustainable 24/7 energy supply.
This global event series brings together four major exhibition brands: Intersolar, ees, Power2Drive, and EM-Power. Together, they serve as platforms for showcasing innovations that are driving the energy industry forward. (hcn)
More information on The smarter E can be found at: www.thesmartere.com
