Europe is once again facing an energy crisis, another reminder of just how vulnerable our fossil fuel-based energy system is. Yet the current crisis is also accelerating the energy transition and the adoption of electromobility. The objective is to reduce dependence on imports of fossil-based raw materials and thereby increase resilience. This year, The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry, is sending a strong and clear message with its new special exhibit Renewables 24/7: Renewable energies ensure a secure, reliable and affordable energy supply every day, around the clock. This message is scientifically supported by a new study from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, which will be presented on June 23 and is one of the highlights at the start of the exhibition. From June 23–25, around 2,800 exhibitors will present groundbreaking, market-ready and cross-system technologies for a 24/7 renewable energy supply at Messe München. Electrification across all sectors is a key enabler. The smarter E Europe, with its four exhibitions Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe, brings together visionaries, innovators and decision makers while offering an extensive accompanying program. More than 100,000 visitors are expected over the three days.
The new study, Cost-Optimal Transformation of the German Energy System by 2045 – Setting the Course for a Reliable, Resilient and Climate-Neutral 24/7 Energy System, was conducted by Fraunhofer ISE on behalf of The smarter E Europe. Based on facts, it demonstrates that a renewable energy system is reliable, cost-effective, resilient and climate-neutral while promoting growth and prosperity in industrialized nations.
The special exhibit Renewables 24/7 – Secure Energy for a Changing World in hall C5 demonstrates how this vision can be put into practice. It is the standout attraction at this year’s event. Through the thematic areas of industry, commerce, residential applications and mobility, the exhibition shows how a renewable energy system functions – from generation, distribution and storage to mobility, grid integration and hydrogen technologies. Realistic scenarios vividly illustrate both opportunities and challenges, including volatility and surplus generation. The exhibition also dispels the myth that the “dark doldrums” cannot be managed. “The special exhibit demonstrates that the transformation is technically feasible, profitable and reliable. Renewable energies are no longer the exception but the rule. Every day, the vision of a climate-neutral energy world moves closer to becoming a reality. However, we need significantly greater momentum and commitment,” says Markus Elsässer, founder and CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH.
Public discourse often paints a more negative picture of the energy transition than the facts justify. To help steer the debate in a more objective and constructive direction, the panel discussion The Energy Transition is a Mindset Challenge: 24/7 Renewables are Achievable (in German) aims to provide fresh impetus. On June 23, Michael Kellner (Member of the German Bundestag), Ursula Heinen-Esser (President of the German Renewable Energy Federation, BEE), Prof. Dr. Christian Stöcker (journalist and media researcher) and Luisa Neubauer (climate activist) will discuss how a fully renewable energy system is both technically practicable and socially viable. With a focus on Germany, the session will examine the gap between available technological solutions and the slow pace of renewable energy expansion caused by administrative hurdles and legislation. The session will open with remarks from Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and will be hosted by energy expert Dr. Tim Meyer.
In hall C6, The Bidirectional Zone is the place to discover how electric vehicles can be used to charge, store and feed electricity back into the grid, reducing energy costs while generating additional revenue. Companies operating large fleets benefit from add-on technologies such as smart charging or virtual swarm storage, which allow them to achieve attractive returns on investment. The study Plug, Store, Profit – Economic Potential of Bidirectional Fleets provides the evidence. It will be presented on June 23 at 3:00pm at the Power2Drive Forum. Visitors can also take test drives with e-cars and light commercial vehicles in the Test Drive area, located in the Outdoor Area near the East Entrance. New to the program are the Fleet Transformation Days. Taking place on June 23 and 24, the event is aimed at fleet managers looking to introduce electric vehicle fleets and the necessary charging infrastructure. “We want to be pioneers of the transportation transition and send powerful signals from Munich to the world. This is where e-mobility comes to life. This is where ideas become reality,” says Jens Mohrmann, Managing Director of Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe (FWTM).
Green hydrogen: the key to the transformation
Green hydrogen is an essential pillar of decarbonization. At the newly designed Hydrogen Dialogue Forum & Expo exhibition segment in hall B2, ees Europe is placing the topic firmly in the spotlight. Visitors can learn about potential applications, technological innovations, cost-saving opportunities and pioneering projects. On June 24 and 25, the Hydrogen Dialogue Summit at the International Congress Center München (ICM) will explore current trends and challenges in the hydrogen sector. Policymakers and industry leaders will be discussing the strategic importance of hydrogen for a resilient and climate-friendly energy supply with German and European decision makers from industry and associations. The event is sponsored by Bavarian Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Hubert Aiwanger, who will be opening the summit on June 24.
Technology transfer from space
The results of the ees Island Challenge 2026 (BEYOND EARTH) will be presented on the ees Innovation Hub Stage in hall B0. Two teams began work in March on developing a concept for a self-sufficient energy system on the Moon. Commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) and carried out in cooperation with the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) and ees Europe, the challenge required participants to simulate the power supply for FLEXhab, a type of space habitat in a container at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne. Solutions developed for operation in space conditions, including the required levels of resilience and reliability, can also be applied to critical infrastructure and stand-alone power systems, or microgrids, on Earth.
Four specialist conferences and seven exhibition forums
The smarter E Europe will be hosting four specialist conferences and seven exhibition forums. The conferences begin on June 22 at the ICM. They will focus on strategic and regulatory market issues as well as technological developments, while the forums will be held from June 23–25 in the respective exhibition halls and will showcase product solutions and applications. The range of topics is broad, spanning digital twins, grid stability and demand-side flexibility through utility-scale battery storage and charging trends, to current best practices. Negative electricity prices and the much-discussed hybrid PV power plants will also be in the spotlight.
On the eve of the exhibition, June 22, companies will be recognized for their technological pioneering work with the prestigious The smarter E AWARD. The Award will be presented in five categories: Photovoltaics, Energy Storage, E-Mobility, Smart Integrated Energy and Outstanding Projects. On June 25, the Energy Transition Award will be presented to utility companies that are driving the energy transition in Europe and the German-speaking region, and are serving as role models for the industry. National and international utilities and grid operators will also find an exclusive, quiet setting in the Utility Lounge at the East Entrance to share ideas, expand their networks and forge strategic partnerships.