The smarter E Europe 2026 Reinforces Renewable Energy Transition Agenda
Industry Gathering Highlights Market-Ready Clean Energy Solutions
The smarter E Europe 2026 concluded with a strong industry message that renewable energy technologies are now central to the future energy landscape. Over three days, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry brought together technology providers, policymakers, energy experts and industry stakeholders at Messe München to showcase commercially available solutions designed to support a more sustainable, resilient and cost-effective energy system.
The event attracted 2,650 exhibitors from 52 countries, with more than 66 percent of participants coming from outside Germany. Many exhibitors expanded their booth space compared with the previous year, reflecting growing market confidence and increasing investment across the renewable energy value chain. Exhibitors showcased a broad range of technologies, including virtual power plants, smart grid and load management systems, smart charging infrastructure, energy storage technologies, PV hybrid systems and digital platforms that enable transparent and flexible energy flow management.
The technical programme of the smarter E Europe commenced ahead of the exhibition with four specialist conferences held on 22nd and 23rd June 2026. Together with side events, the programme attracted more than 3,000 participants for discussions focused on technology advancements, market developments and emerging opportunities across the energy sector. Meanwhile, approximately 105,000 trade visitors from 163 countries attended the exhibition to explore new solutions, establish partnerships and gain insights into future energy systems.
Renewable Energy Ecosystem Demonstrates Industry Readiness
The event, which combines four exhibitions Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe under a single platform, highlighted the maturity of renewable energy technologies and business models already available in the market. Across 19 exhibition halls and the Outdoor Area, exhibitors demonstrated solutions aimed at accelerating energy transition objectives while supporting grid stability and operational efficiency.
Energy expert and author Dr. Tim Meyer said, “We are in the midst of a global transformation toward a completely new energy system. We cannot stop this revolution and must seize all the opportunities that exhibitors have shown us.”
A key attraction at The smarter E Europe was the special exhibit, Renewables 24/7 – Secure Energy for a Changing World. The showcase illustrated how future energy systems are expected to become increasingly electrified, decentralised, digitalised and flexible. The exhibit also demonstrated how energy in the future will be supplied through millions of interconnected systems and not just a handful of power plants..
Flexibility Emerges as a Core Component of Future Energy Systems
Industry leaders highlighted flexibility as a critical enabler of renewable energy integration. Visitors were shown how solar and wind generation can contribute to lower electricity costs and how buildings and electric vehicles can evolve from passive consumers into active participants within the energy ecosystem.
Commenting on this trend, Bastian Gierull, CEO of Octopus Energy Germany GmbH, said, “The smarter E Europe and the special exhibit Renewables 24/7 showed that the energy transition needs one thing above all else: flexibility. Only if we store and manage electricity intelligently and use it precisely when it is particularly affordable and green, can we create an energy system that is affordable for customers and still good for the grid.”
“At the same time, it highlighted the important role of electric vehicles – and, looking ahead, bidirectional charging – as flexible storage solutions in a renewable energy system,” he added.
Industry Leaders Emphasise Economic and Strategic Benefits
The exhibition also focused on the broader economic and strategic value of renewable energy deployment. Discussions highlighted the ability of renewables to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and support long-term economic resilience. Germany generates 60% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Markus Elsässer, founder and CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH, said, “Fossil fuels are a thing of the past; the future clearly belongs to renewables. Over the three days of the exhibition, we demonstrated through practical examples and scientific evidence that renewables provide reliability, resilience and efficiency while making economic sense. That is why the path toward a renewable future must be pursued consistently. There can be no turning back.”
Jens Mohrmann, Managing Director of Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM), added, “This year, with our focus on Renewables 24/7, we addressed the right topic at the right time. We have shown that we are thinking ahead and helping shape the future.”
The event also highlighted the economic opportunities associated with renewable energy deployment, including job creation, industrial competitiveness and energy cost reductions. Policymakers and industry representatives participating in panel discussions noted growing societal support for the energy transition and its increasing relevance to economic growth, resilience and national security.
Looking Ahead to The smarter E Europe 2027
The significance of the smarter E Europe was reflected in the participation of senior government representatives and regulatory leaders, including Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), Bavarian State Minister Hubert Aiwanger, and Barbie Haller of the German Federal Network Agency.
As Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry, the smarter E Europe brings together Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe. The next edition will be held at Messe München from 8th to 10th June 2027.
For more information on the event, visit https://www.thesmartere.de/.
