Matthias Taft, CEO BayWa r.e. AG: "We are so happy that after almost two years of pandemic, it is possible again for the first time to meet our customers, suppliers and colleagues in person. Being part of The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 is a great opportunity for us to showcase our innovations and expand our network." The core topics of a sustainable energy and mobility industry are the focus of the innovation platform: renewable energies, decentralization, digitalization and sector coupling, as well as smart and networked energy systems. Innovative technologies, new business models and pioneering projects were presented in the accompanying conferences and trade fair forums.
From October 6 to 8, 2021, a total of four energy trade shows took place on the innovation platform: the Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe accompanied by 2 conferences (Intersolar Europe Conference and ees Europe Conference) and 3 trade show forums. Intersolar celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. All trade fairs have one vision in common: an intelligent, sustainable and networked energy supply. The smarter E Europe gives the new energy world a name.
The industry has a tailwind: the pillar of the new energy world is booming
The European solar market is booming, with 18.2 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity newly installed in 2020, according to data from industry association SolarPower Europe. This is a growth of 11 percent compared to the previous year. And the forecasts continue to point to growth. Also in terms of jobs: Swiss plant manufacturer Meyer-Burger, an exhibitor at Intersolar Europe Restart 2021, is revitalizing Solar Valley in Saxony-Anhalt with two factories for solar cells and modules and creating new jobs in the new energy world.
For the energy transition to succeed, however, an even greater expansion of renewable energies is necessary. According to Carsten Körnig, managing director of the German Solar Industry Association (BSW). (BSW), this requires a solar and storage turbo now in order to replace fossil power plant capacities in time and avoid a looming electricity shortfall in the near future. In addition to the faster expansion of photovoltaics with classic rooftop and ground-mounted systems, building-integrated PV systems (BIPV) and agri-photovoltaics (Agri-PV) on agricultural land can also contribute, as can "floating PV." BayWa r.e., Solar Projects GmbH and Rem Tec Srl, for example, presented innovative agri-PV and floating PV systems and products.
Watch our live videos pv Guided Tours from Day 1 of the show here
The fact that photovoltaic systems combined with electrical energy storage systems are increasingly important for grid control and the management of grid bottlenecks and could become the backbone of energy infrastructures in the future was demonstrated by another highlight: the joint sessions of the ees Europe Conference and the Intersolar Europe Conference on the combination of PV and storage.
Storage systems and green hydrogen as the core of the energy transition
Expanding solar and wind energy is the first step toward further decarbonizing the energy industry. But efficient electricity storage systems are also crucial - and the storage market is booming, as is battery production, whether for large-scale or home storage: Investments and government subsidies in the billions, strongly growing sales and many new players are shaping the market. On-site exhibitors such as Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd. and Fenecon GmbH also provided orientation in the dynamic battery storage markets. Expert presentations and discussions at the ees Europe Conference were also dedicated to the topic, as were ees AWARD winners Commeo GmbH, Enphase Energy NL and SAX Power GmbH.
"It's inspiring how many people are now thinking about grid security, energy storage and renewables. Commercial storage in particular is finding a very high demand because businesses are seeing the benefits of capping peak loads, relieving pressure on the grid and saving costs. We are thrilled by the response of the international trade audience to our electricity storage solutions," says Franz-Josef Feilmeier, Managing Director of Fenecon GmbH.
Green Hydrogen Manifesto
Another key element of the energy transition is currently coming increasingly into focus. Green hydrogen is becoming an important option for linking the electricity, heat and transport sectors more closely via renewable energies. "The entire energy storage industry has a great future ahead of it: green hydrogen optimally supports the trends and targets of decarbonization. As a link, hydrogen is irreplaceable for the use of renewable energies in all sectors - it also combines ecological benefits with regional value creation," says Ove Petersen, co-founder and CEO of GP JOULE Group.
Important impetus for the promotion of the energy carrier is now being provided by the "Green Hydrogen Manifesto", which was presented at the Munich trade fair as part of The Smarter E Europe Restart 2021. The initiators Hydrogen Europe, German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association DWV, European Electrolyzer & Fuel Cell Forum EFCF and The smarter E Europe want to send a clear signal for decarbonization and a sustainable circular economy.
"We are about to enter a hydrogen market economy: green hydrogen not only holds enormous opportunities for European industry, but as a total system integrator it is the core of the energy transition. To achieve the climate targets, policymakers must now pave the regulatory way for this energy carrier. This is the only way that all the inspiration and creativity presented so impressively at the trade fair can find its way into the future renewable, secure and economical energy supply," says Werner Diwald, Chairman of the Board of the German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV).
Electromobility: Key element between new energy and new mobility world
The role of electromobility in the new energy world, the charging infrastructure as an interface between mobility and the power grid, and the prospects of the Vehicle2Grid concept as a game changer of the new mobility world - these are some of the focal points of Power2Drive Europe Restart 2021. At the trade fair and the accompanying forum, the movers and shakers of the energy transition in the transport sector met: manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and start-ups presented new developments and business models.
The integration of Power2Drive Europe into the innovation platform of the new energy world shows precisely: for the mobility and transport sector to realize its potential, electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure must be considered as part of the entire energy system. High-performance e-mobile batteries can be used not only as energy storage for the vehicle, but also as building blocks in the energy network. With electric vehicles, decentralized storage capacities become available for the energy transition. Vehicle2Grid(V2G), Vehicle2Home and Vehicle2Work solutions form the basis for this.
"Charging infrastructure is a key element for the success of e-mobility - and at the trade fair we are bringing it together with topics such as storage, photovoltaics and renewable energies. This means that the entire energy and mobility sector is represented at one event - which is extremely exciting for us," says Karl Kolmsee, Director Product Portfolio Management at Webasto Customized Solutions.
Experience the energy turnaround
As part of the EM-Power Europe Restart and the accompanying forum, visitors were able to experience the energy transition in a tangible way. The award ceremony of the Energiewende Award 2021 for the best energy suppliers in the DACH region was, as always, a highlight - the winning projects are tangible and make the new energy world tangible. The Energiewende Award shows that every company, from the locally operating municipal utility to the internationally operating energy group, can and must make its contribution to the energy transition. For example, Entega, Stadtwerke Karlsruhe, Stadtwerke Mühlheim am Main GmbH and Stadtwerke Bernau GmbH were selected for the Energiewende 2021 category. Interested parties can find the other winners here.
Another highlight: the daily sessions on climate neutrality and how companies can achieve it. Because the business community has also recognized the signs of the times: More and more companies are supplying their operations with electricity in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner and operating their production processes in a climate-neutral manner. The path to a climate-neutral company, sector coupling in buildings and neighborhoods, and future topics relating to smart grids and grid infrastructure were focus topics at EM-Power Europe.
Watch our live videos pv Guided Tours from day 2 of the show here
"For us, the focus is on sustainable energy supply through digitalization and new business models to optimize CO2 emissions. At the Grid Edge, the interface between smart grids and prosumers, the interaction of production, consumption and electricity storage is being redefined. In this way, renewable energy can be integrated efficiently and energy supply can be guaranteed flexibly and reliably," says Markus Mildner, Head of Global Sales, Siemens Smart Infrastructure.
Four trade fairs, one mission
Start-ups are also in the right place at the Innovation Platform: the response to the Start-up Area and Stage was very good - interested young companies were able to make direct contact with investors and other companies as part of the Business Speed Dating and drive their business forward. Accelerating the transformation: Renewable energies around the clock seven days a week, achieving a networked, clean and modern energy and mobility economy, addressing the opportunities and challenges of the entire industry together, looking at the sectors not in isolation but synchronized, driving flexibility solutions and concepts - this is the vision of The smarter E Europe.
And the innovation platform for the new energy world is not alone in this: numerous international players in the modern energy industry gathered in Munich from October 6 to 8, 2021. The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 is an important element of the relaunch of the trade fair and also an important signal for the industry, which expressly welcomes it. Visitors and exhibitors who were not able to visit the innovation platform can experience post-show contributions, statements and interviews on Expo TV:
The smarter E Europe 2022, with its four individual trade shows (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe), will take place at Messe München from May 11 to 13, 2022. (hcn)
