The largest European platform for the energy industry has achieved a new record edition and is now preparing to embrace the sector’s transformation even more closely with a highly integrated approach aimed at capturing the latest trends, technologies, and business models. Interview with Horst Dufner, Head of The smarter E Europe.
The smarter E Europe charts the path to a 100% renewable future
Three days of exhibition. Four individual expos – Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe, and EM-Power Europe – spread over 19 halls and an outdoor area of 206,000 square meters. A total of 3,008 exhibitors from 55 countries.
These are some of the numbers that marked the success of The smarter E Europe this year, the largest European alliance of fairs for the energy industry. The event opened its doors from June 19 to 21 with a precise goal: to show how a renewable energy supply can be achieved 24/7. Rinnovabili met with Horst Dufner, the event manager, to take stock of the situation, understand the direction the market is heading, and what new developments to expect from the 2025 edition.
Summing up this year’s exhibition, could you share your opinion on the event? In particular, what were the highlights and main successes of this year’s edition? How did it compare to previous years in terms of attendance, engagement, and overall impact on the sector?
This year’s The smarter E Europe focused entirely on the rapid growth of renewable energy and thus a system change toward sustainable infrastructure and energy supply. Let’s look at the numbers: in 2023, the European solar market grew by 87 percent compared to the previous year, and the battery storage market by 94 percent. The demand for innovative charging and energy management solutions is also stronger than ever. This was reflected in this year’s event, which set new records in every respect: 3,008 exhibitors from 55 countries met with about 110,000 trade visitors from 176 countries. The highlight of The smarter E Europe 2024 was the increasing centrality of the “system” concept: it’s no longer just about creating isolated generation technology, but about determining how to enter a new era in which we can supply ourselves entirely and at any time with renewable energy. This aspect was evident in all discussions and contacts, and it is what we are working toward.
Considering that The smarter E Europe is the most important trade fair at the European level and a world leader, in what direction do you think the market is moving? What are the main trends you see in the sector?
In the future, it will increasingly be about intelligently connecting the electricity, heating, and transportation sectors. As electrification progresses, increasingly diversified solutions will come to market to decarbonize our economy and society through complete renewable supply. Many of these solutions aim to harmonize renewable energy production and consumption profiles, among other things optimizing self-consumption. Providing renewable energy 24/7 also implies strong development of energy storage technologies and the transformation of the energy system into a decentralized and digitalized system. This is the direction of developments in the coming years.
Regarding the new technologies presented by companies at this edition, which do you consider the most relevant for the sector?
In the future, it will be increasingly important to control energy consumption and adapt it to production. For this reason, there is currently a strong demand for energy management solutions, which often also use artificial intelligence. It is essential to make the most of flexibility potential: a prerequisite is the intelligent control of energy technology. Currently, digital and intelligent solutions are a strong trend. At the same time, technology for solar module cells is making great strides: new types of solar cells, such as perovskite, are quickly entering the market, with solar cells achieving increasingly higher efficiency levels: up to 33.9 percent. There are also technological innovations in the sector of dual-use land applications: in agrivoltaics, thanks to innovative trackers and support models, increasingly higher energy yields can be achieved, in addition to agricultural yields. Floating PV, floating photovoltaics, is spreading, not only in installations on inland reservoirs but also in offshore areas, creating great opportunities.
Which European Union countries are most important for this fair, and why should companies consider investing in this event to grow their business in the sector?
All countries and their representatives, associations, and companies are important to us: it makes no difference whether they are established solar markets or countries where solar energy is gaining popularity. The event’s goal is to allow various players to network and do business, regardless of their origin. For companies, personal contact is still important, it helps establish trust and is the basis for successful collaboration. Nowhere else do so many different operators and companies meet as at The smarter E Europe: it boosts distribution and other departments that promote business growth.
What can our readers expect from The smarter E Europe 2025?
The smarter E Europe is the focal point for following the dynamic development of the renewable energy market. Next year we will also closely follow all the themes that concern the energy landscape since the framework conditions are constantly changing, whether through new regulations, geopolitical conflicts like the war in Ukraine, or sector developments, such as the strong expansion of production capacity and the consequent price war in the solar module sector. Next year, too, The smarter E Europe will represent the fundamental market trends and developments. Technological innovations will also be present: in what direction are developments moving in cell technologies, energy world digitalization, storage technologies, or charging systems? How is artificial intelligence increasingly being used? The most important business models will also be presented, such as energy sharing, self-produced energy supply projects for tenants, stability services, or arbitrage operations for energy storage.
Last June was the hottest on record: can the development of renewable energy reverse this alarming trend? And if so, in what timeframe?
Renewable energy is a fundamental means of stopping the climate crisis because it makes the greatest contribution to decarbonizing our energy system. The most important thing on the path to a renewable and sustainable future is not to lose hope, because we have the solutions to counter alarming developments. It is up to us to adopt them quickly, comprehensively, and thoroughly. The smarter E Europe allows these technologies to penetrate the market more rapidly.
Europe could face a radical change in leadership. What would you ask new political leaders to concretely support the transition?
Today, it is clear to everyone that renewable energy is the most cost-effective form of electricity generation. What we ask of politics is to ensure consistent framework conditions to support and enable the expansion of renewables in the future. Conservative rhetoric praising costly or polluting technologies for populist reasons should not be present in the political debate, in the general interest of the economy, because politicians have the responsibility to spur citizens to action. Moreover, all climate-damaging subsidies should finally be eliminated in favor of 24/7 renewable energy supply, and an advanced energy infrastructure should be created that adapts to decentralized energy production.
