Europe is once again facing another energy crisis, highlighting the vulnerability of its fossil fuel-based energy system. However, this crisis will also accelerate the energy transition and the adoption of electromobility. The goal is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel imports, making us more resilient. With its special exhibition 'Renewables 24/7', The smarter E Europe , Europe's largest energy trade fair alliance, is sending a clear message this year: renewable energy guarantees a secure, reliable, and affordable supply every day, around the clock.
From June 23rd to 25th, around 2,800 exhibitors will showcase innovative, cross-cutting, and market-ready technologies at Messe München that guarantee a 24/7 supply of renewable energy. A key factor here is electrification across all sectors. With its four specialized trade fairs (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe, and EM-Power Europe), The smarter E Europe brings together thinkers, developers, and decision-makers, offering a comprehensive framework program. More than 100,000 visitors are expected over the three days.
Commissioned by The smarter E Europe, the Fraunhofer ISE has produced 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'. This study uses data to demonstrate that a renewable energy system is reliable, cost-effective, resilient, and climate-friendly, while simultaneously fostering growth and well-being in an industrialized nation. The keys to achieving this are presented in the special exhibition 'Renewables 24/7 – Secure Energy for a Changing World', in Hall C5, this year's flagship event.
Structured around four themes (industry, commerce, housing, and mobility), the exhibition illustrates how a renewable energy system works, from generation, distribution, and storage to mobility, grid integration, and hydrogen-based technologies. Using realistic scenarios, it provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges, such as volatility and overgeneration. It also debunks the myth of the uncontrollability of periods of "dead calm" without sun or wind.
"The special exhibition demonstrates that the transformation is technically viable and economically sound and reliable. Renewable energies are no longer the exception, but the norm. Every day we are closer to realizing the vision of an energy world without climate impacts. But we need much more speed and commitment," emphasizes Markus Elsässer, founder and CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH.
Is the energy transition stalled by mental barriers?
Public discourse often presents a negative image of the energy transition. The round table "The energy transition is stalled only because of mental barriers: 24/7 renewable energy supply is feasible" aims to foster a more objective and constructive debate.
On June 23, Michael Kellner (Member of the German Parliament), Ursula Heinen-Esser (President of the German Renewable Energy Association, BEE), journalist and media expert Prof. Dr. Christian Stöcker, and climate activist Luisa Neubauer will discuss how a fully renewable energy system is technically feasible and socially sustainable.
The session will open with a welcome address by Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary Secretary of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety. The session will be moderated by energy expert Dr. Tim Meyer.
Electromobility and grid integration
In Hall C6, The Bidirectional Zone is the meeting point to learn how electric cars can charge and store electricity to be used when needed, reducing energy costs and generating revenue.
Companies with large fleets can benefit from other technologies, such as smart charging and Virtual Swarm Storage, which can deliver a significant return on investment. The study 'Profit – Economic Potential of Bidirectional Fleets' provides data on this topic. It will be presented on June 23 at 3 p.m. in the Power2Drive Forum.
New to this year's program are the "Fleet Transformation Days" on June 23 and 24 for fleet managers who want to establish a fleet of electric vehicles and the necessary charging infrastructure.
"We want to be the ones who pave the way for the transformation of transport and drive it from Munich to the whole world. Here, electromobility comes to life. Here, ideas become reality," says Jens Mohrmann, CEO of Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe (FWTM).
Key to Transformation: Green Hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is a fundamental element for decarbonization. This topic takes center stage in the new 'Hydrogen Dialogue Forum & Expo' exhibition area at ees Europe, in Hall B2. Information will be provided on potential uses, technological innovations, savings potential, and pioneering projects. On June 24 and 25 at the International Congress Center (ICM), the Hydrogen Dialogue Summit will address current trends and challenges in the hydrogen sector. Prominent representatives from the political and scientific worlds will discuss the strategic importance of hydrogen for a resilient and climate-friendly energy supply with decision-makers from the economic sector and German and European associations.
The event is sponsored by Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs, Territorial Development, and Energy, who will also open the conference on June 24.
Technology Transfer from Space:
The results of the ees Island Challenge 2026 (“BEYOND EARTH”) will be presented at the ees Innovation Hub Stage in Hall B0. In March, two teams undertook the task of developing a concept for a self-sufficient energy system on the Moon. Commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) and in collaboration with the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) and ees Europe, they were tasked with simulating the power supply in FLEXhab, a space habitation module installed at the German Space Agency (DLR) in Cologne. The proposed solutions for operating under space conditions, their resilience, and fault tolerance can be transferred to critical infrastructure and isolated, stand-alone networks (microgrids) on Earth.
Four Specialist Conferences and Seven Forums:
Four specialist trade fairs and seven forums are being held as part of The smarter E Europe. The conferences begin on June 22 at the ICM and focus on the strategic and regulatory aspects of the market and technological advancements, while the forums, held from June 23 to 25 in the corresponding halls, showcase product solutions and their practical applications. The range of topics is extensive: from digital twins, grid stability, and demand-side flexibility to large battery storage systems, charging trends, and current best practices. Negative electricity prices and the much-discussed hybrid photovoltaic power plants will also be addressed.
On June 22, the day before the trade fair, companies will be recognized for their technological innovation with the prestigious Smarter E Awards, 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 energy providers driving the energy transition in Europe and the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), serving as an example for many others. In addition, national and international energy providers and network operators will find a quiet and exclusive space in the Utility Lounge, near the East Entrance, to discuss, network, and forge strategic alliances.
The smarter E Europe, Europe's largest trade fair alliance for the energy sector, brings together four specialized trade fairs (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe, and EM-Power Europe) and will take place from June 23 to 25, 2026, at Messe München.
