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Europe is now generating more electricity from solar and wind than from coal and gas for the first time. Germany has reached a new record with around 60% renewable energy in its power mix. The energy reality has fundamentally changed.
What matters now is an energy system that adapts to this new normality – flexible, digital, interconnected. This transformation demands contemporary solutions, which The smarter E Europe 2025 provides.
Everything about energy supply and storage
Europe's largest trade fair alliance for the energy industry has opened its doors today at the fully occupied venue of the Munich Trade Fair. From May 7th to 9th, 2,737 exhibitors from 57 countries will present their solutions, applications, and business models for round-the-clock renewable energy supply, including large-scale storage, PV hybrid systems, bidirectional charging, intelligent load management, and much more.
Over the next three days, more than 100,000 trade visitors from around 170 countries are expected. This year, The smarter E Europe emphasizes that the technologies are available, the business models have been tested, and the industry is ready. Now, it requires political will, decisive action, and the courage to rethink the energy system, according to the organizer.
Photovoltaics are key to energy security
Renewable energies, especially photovoltaics, are seen as the key to energy security and economic resilience by Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, the European industry association.
After the significant increase in renewable generation capacity, the focus must now shift to the next stage of the energy system: "To truly make our energy system future-proof, we need stronger grids, smarter flexibility, and complete electrification of industry, transport, and heat. Battery storage is no longer just an option – it is essential to cope with shutdowns and negative prices. The result? Lower costs, cheaper electricity for consumers, and increased energy security for Europe. It is time to accelerate," she said.
Unbeatably cheap electricity from photovoltaics
Current market data strongly support this statement: In 2024, the levelized costs per kilowatt-hour for large-scale PV systems in Germany were approximately 4 to 7 cents/kWh, while for systems with battery storage, costs ranged from 6 to 11 cents/kWh.
Generation from conventional power plants is considerably more expensive. The levelized costs per kilowatt-hour for coal and gas power plants were around 15 to nearly 33 cents/kWh.
Even more expensive, and economically uncompetitive apart from other disadvantages, is nuclear energy. The cost of generating a kilowatt-hour can go up to 49 cents. Therefore, climate-neutral generated electricity will continue to prevail purely for economic reasons, according to SolarPower Europe.
Strategic thinking and action required
Michael Villa, Executive Director at smartEn - Smart Energy Europe, called for strategic thinking and action from EU policymakers at the opening of The smarter E Europe:
"Affordable energy, industrial competitiveness, and energy security are top priorities for the EU in today's geopolitical situation. To achieve these goals, the industry must make a significant contribution to demand-side flexibility – yet this sector still faces significant barriers in member states. It is urgently necessary to enable these digitally controlled business models to operate and scale within a market-based framework. This is a strategic opportunity that the EU cannot afford to miss."
Flexibility at the core of the energy transition
With the increasing share of renewable energies worldwide, the pressure to rethink the energy system – more flexible, intelligent, and interconnected – is rising. In this context, battery storage is considered the backbone of this transformation. They stabilize grids, enable new business models, and enhance supply security.
Electric mobility also contributes: Vehicle batteries can be used as decentralized storage through bidirectional charging – an approach that has already been successfully implemented in initial pilot projects, for example, in France. The smarter E Europe 2025 seizes on this promising innovation impulse and showcases the potentials of bidirectional charging for round-the-clock renewable energy supply in a dedicated special exhibition (Hall C6, Stand C6.450).