The energy transition is advancing rapidly on a global scale. In many places, electricity from renewable sources of energy is no longer the exception; it is now the rule. This shift would simply not have been possible without future-oriented, innovative companies and their technology, ideas and concepts. Today’s best and most innovative new developments have been nominated for The smarter E AWARD 2025.
This coveted prize is awarded in a total of five categories: Photovoltaics, Energy Storage, E-Mobility, Smart Integrated Energy and Outstanding Projects. The winners will be honored on the eve of The smarter E Europe on May 6 from 6:00pm at the International Congress Center Messe München (ICM). Those who wish to join the occasion can attend the ceremony free of charge. Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry unites four exhibitions (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe) and will take place at Messe München from May 7–9.
The generation of electricity from solar and wind power continues to grow rapidly, and production costs are already extremely low. When it comes to ensuring a comprehensive, safe and renewable 24/7 energy supply, the key challenges lie in the intelligent integration of renewable electricity into the energy system using digitalization and flexibilization solutions. This also includes the massive expansion of battery and energy storage solutions. The mobility sector has a vital role to play in global decarbonization. And above all else, the energy transition is a global task. The five categories recognized within The smarter E AWARD mirror this complex situation.
The finalists in the Photovoltaics category thoroughly reflect current trends and challenges. Conventional PV modules may have become far more powerful and efficient in recent years, but available space remains a limiting factor when it comes to expanding photovoltaics. Technical developments are therefore trending towards innovations that make previously unused surfaces accessible for PV systems, such as particularly lightweight PV modules or PV modules with very high bifaciality that are suitable for vertical installations.
Vertical installations are interesting options, both in an agricultural context and for infrastructure (such as noise barriers). Current trends in the inverter field are aimed at integrating more grid support and safety features, particularly in the commerce and industry sectors as well as for ground-mounted PV systems. Good examples of this include a power supply with phase accuracy, the option to connect to weak grid nodes, grid-forming functionality and enhanced monitoring of cooling or insulation resistance.
This year’s submissions in the Energy Storage category show that many manufacturers have taken installation challenges into account. In the residential storage sector, there is a trend towards systems that can be stacked in a modular fashion and that, therefore can connect with each other automatically. The number of devices suitable for outdoor use is also increasing. Manufacturers are increasingly commissioning industrial and large-scale storage systems and delivering them ready for installation. The trend in cell chemistry is moving strongly towards iron phosphate. Interconnection effort and costs are reduced by individual cells that are becoming increasingly larger.
The market for 4h storage is becoming more significant for battery containers, and many containers have a maximum charge/discharge rate of 0.25C. Many systems use artificial intelligence for fault detection and energy management. SiC-based power electronics are increasingly being used to increase efficiency and reduce volume. System safety remains a focus and is being improved by the increased use of arc detection and multi-level safety concepts at the various system levels.
The large number of submissions in the E-Mobility category relating to solar carport solutions is particularly striking. This is a consequence of changes in the law regarding carports for large parking lots. The industry is responding with a comprehensive offering. High-current, high-voltage charging, especially in connection with the new MCS charging standard, is once again proving to be a driver of innovation. Special electrical safety components are now being developed specifically for the new requirements. Another trend is the use of PV on commercial vehicles that allows for the surface of a trailer to be utilized for additional power generation.
The products and solutions submitted in the Smart Integrated Energy category vividly illustrate the intricacy and complexity of one of the key challenges facing the transition to tomorrow’s climate-neutral energy world. For the energy transition to be a success, electricity from renewable sources must be integrated into the energy system in a comprehensive and smart way, in more and more locations and at all grid levels.
The finalists in the Outstanding Projects category provide excellent examples of how the energy transition, humanity’s major challenge, is being tackled across the globe. The spectrum ranges from large-scale green hydrogen production and large storage projects that ensure a steady supply of ever greener electricity, to the use of public institutions to generate solar power and projects providing cooling energy for food.
Further information can be found at: The smarter E AWARD