Until 9 May, 2,737 exhibitors from 57 countries will be presenting their solutions, applications and business models for a renewable 24/7 energy supply. Highlights include large-scale storage systems, PV hybrid power plants, bidirectional charging solutions, intelligent load management system and more.
Over 100,000 visitors from around 170 countries are expected to attend the event over the coming three days. One key takeaway from this year’s The smarter E Europe is that the technologies exist, the business models have been tried and tested, and the industry is ready. What we need now is the political will, assertive action and courage to rethink our energy system.
Next step of the energy transition
According to Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, the European industry association, renewable energies – and photovoltaics in particular – are the key to energy security and economic resilience. Following the extensive deployment of renewable power generation capacities, the focus must now shift to the next step of the energy transition.
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“In a world gripped by geopolitical turmoil, one thing is clear: renewables and especially solar PV are key to energy security and economic resilience. Solar power is local, affordable, and clean. To truly future proof our energy system we need stronger grids, smarter flexibility, and full-scale electrification of industry, transport, and heating. Battery storage is no longer optional – it is essential to tackle curtailment and negative pricing. The payoff? Lower costs, cheaper electricity for consumers, more energy security for Europe. The time to accelerate is now.”
The unrivaled affordability of photovoltaic electricity
Recent market figures make it clear: According to Fraunhofer ISE, the production costs of power from large-scale PV plants in Germany were between 4 and 7 euro cents/kWh in 2024, while PV plants with battery storage had production costs ranging from 6 to 11 euro cents/kWh. In comparison, conventional power plants are far more expensive – coal- and gas-fired plants cost between 15 and nearly 33 euro cents/kWh, while nuclear energy is even more costly, with production reaching up to 49 euro cents/kWh. Given these figures, it’s clear that climate-neutral electricity is on the path to success.
We now need to think and act strategically
During the opening of The smarter E Europe, Michael Villa, Executive Director at smartEn – Smart Energy Europe, urged EU representatives to think and act strategically. “In the current geopolitical situation, affordable energy, the competitiveness of our industry and energy security must be the EU’s top priorities. To achieve these aims, the renewable energies industry needs to make a strong contribution by creating demand-side flexibility. However, there are still considerable hurdles to be overcome in EU member states. It is indispensable to enable digitally driven business models to operate and scale within a market-based framework. This is a strategic opportunity the EU must not miss.”
The energy transition is all about flexibility
With the global rise in renewable energy adoption, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to rethink how our energy system works – making it smarter, more flexible and better connected. In this context, battery storage systems are the backbone of the transformation. They make the grid more stable, enable new business models and boost supply security. Electromobility also has a role to play: Thanks to bidirectional charging, car batteries can be used as decentralised storage devices. This approach has already proven successful in some pilot projects, such as one in France. The smarter E Europe 2025 builds on this promising innovative spark by showcasing the potential of bidirectional charging for a renewable 24/7 energy supply in a dedicated special exhibit (hall C6, booth C6.450). (hcn)