The generation of electricity from solar and wind power continues to grow rapidly, with production costs already at record lows. Despite this, achieving a comprehensive, safe, and renewable 24/7 energy supply continues to present significant challenges. These stem among others from the intelligent integration of renewable electricity into the energy system, which can be addressed through digitalisation and flexibilisation solutions. Such tasks also encompass the large-scale expansion of battery and energy storage technologies. The mobility sector is crucial to global decarbonisation, and ultimately the energy transition will have to be a global effort. The five categories recognised within the smarter E AWARD highlight this complex landscape.
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Modules for new surfaces and integration
The finalists in the Photovoltaics category effectively reflect current trends and challenges in the industry. While conventional PV modules have become significantly more powerful and efficient in recent years, limited available space remains a key constraint in expanding photovoltaics. As a result, technical developments are increasingly focused on innovations that allow previously unused surfaces to be utilised for PV systems, including lightweight PV modules and highly bifacial modules designed for vertical installations. Vertical setups such as noise barriers are becoming viable for both agricultural applications and infrastructure. In the inverter sector, trends centre on enhancing grid support and safety features, particularly for commercial and industrial applications, as well as ground-mounted PV systems. Key developments include power supplies with phase accuracy, the ability to connect to weak grid nodes, grid-forming capabilities and improved 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 showcase manufacturers' focus on addressing installation challenges. In the residential storage sector, there is a clear trend towards modular systems that can be stacked and connected automatically. The availability of outdoor-use devices is also steadily increasing. Alongside, manufacturers are commissioning industrial and large-scale storage systems that come pre-assembled for easier installation. In terms of cell chemistry, iron phosphate is becoming the dominant choice. Individual cells are growing larger, reducing interconnection effort and costs. The market for 4-hour storage is expanding, especially in battery containers, many of which now offer a maximum charge/discharge rate of 0.25C. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being employed for fault detection and energy management, while SiC-based power electronics are enhancing efficiency and reducing system volume. System safety continues to be 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 notable trend in this year’s E-Mobility category is the strong focus on solar carport solutions, spurred by recent legislative changes regarding carports for large parking lots. The industry is responding with a diverse array of offerings. High-current, high-voltage charging continues to drive innovation, especially with the new MCS charging standard, prompting the development of special electrical safety components. A further notable trend is the integration of photovoltaic systems on commercial vehicles, allowing trailers to be used as additional power generators.
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 highlight the complexity of a key challenge in the transition to a climate-neutral energy future. To succeed, electricity from renewable sources must be intelligently integrated across various locations and grid levels, supporting a comprehensive approach that aligns with 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 highlight remarkable examples of how the global energy transition is being tackled. These projects range from large-scale green hydrogen production and extensive storage systems ensuring a stable supply of green electricity, to public institutions using solar power and initiatives providing cooling energy for food preservation.
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 forard the energy industry. (hcn)
More information on The smarter E can be found at www.thesmartere.com
