On May 6, Europe’s largest dedicated event for renewable energy solutions kicks off in Munich, Germany. Leading technology vendors and innovative startups will exhibit, in addition to regional energy utilities and multinational system operators, with panels and talks discussing the challenges—and opportunities—facing the adoption, integration, and effective utilization of renewable energy and storage assets today.
In preparation, ABI Research has identified three smart energy market and technology trends that smarter E attendees should keep in mind for the event
1. Solar PV Technology Remains a Focal Point
Solar power is fast becoming the premier source of electricity across Europe, representing trillions of dollars in investment and an ever-larger market within the broader energy ecosystem. With solar Photovoltaics (PV) producers—and vendors for related technologies—claiming over six entire exhibition halls at this year’s The smarter E Europe event, this hype shows little sign of slowing.
Vendors to watch that will be in attendance include many of the solar PV giants—Tongwei, JA, Aiko, and LONGi Solar. Visitors can also expect a range of European innovators, from NexWafe, a pioneer of ultra-thin, low-cost solar wafers, to Zolar, a Solar-as-a-Service provider aiming to revolutionize household and enterprise energy independence.
More generally, expect expert discussions around the promise of perovskite cells and multi-directional panels, the prospects for floating, portable, and agricultural solar applications, and how novel approaches and technologies can be adopted to maintain and optimize solar installations.
2. Battery Storage Is Top of Mind
Rapid expansions in wind and solar capacity have also driven up demand for the means to mitigate these sources’ intermittency. Consequently, Battery Electric Storage Systems (BESSs) are both an urgent topic of debate and an increasingly active, innovative segment for energy technology innovators.
The biggest names in BESS solutions will be present at The smarter E Europe. Expect BYD to exhibit its extensive range of lithium-based batteries, alongside its enterprise, industrial, and utility-scale BESS products for stationary storage applications. Likewise, Hithium will be showcasing its static commercial, industrial, and grid-scale storage products.
In particular, attendees should keep an eye out for details on both vendors’ recent sodium-ion innovations, which are set to significantly disrupt the energy storage market in the near term.
3. Bidirectional Charging and Flexibility Take the Stage
A third, major component of The smarter E Europe conference will be dedicated to energy management and efficiency. This year’s event comes as distributed energy assets—privately-owned renewables, batteries, Electric Vehicles (EVs), etc.—are rapidly decentralizing energy generation and complicating formerly unidirectional supply relationships.
Attendees can expect new European Union (EU) rules around bidirectional charging—a major regulatory step toward integrating EVs and other assets into energy networks—to be a major talking point, with a special exhibit organized in collaboration with E-Mobility Europe, Eurelectric, LAD GmbH, and The Mobility House. Additionally, exhibiting vendors, such as ACE Power and Infypower Electric GmbH, will also be showcasing how their solutions can meet demand for specialist bidirectional technologies across European grids.
Similarly important will be discussions of grid flexibility: the accessibility of energy traded between grid operators and distributed asset owners to stabilize energy networks. With widespread bidirectional, peer-to-peer, and peer-to-utility electricity trading becoming feasible and commercially beneficial, smarter E organizers have placed the topic at center stage—literally. During the event’s opening session, visitors can look forward to a panel discussion that includes the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Octopus Energy, Global Renewables Alliance, and SolarPower Europe, among others.
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Overall, attendees of The smarter E Europe 2025 can expect a conference packed with innovation and debate. To stay informed of all the regulatory, technological, and economic shifts ahead of, during, and after this year’s event, contact us today and learn how we can support you.