The innovative power of the solar industry, as well as endeavors to advance the energy transition, are clearly unabated. This is also reflected by the interest shown in Intersolar Europe 2018, the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners, which will take place under the new umbrella of The smarter E for the first time in 2018 along with other leading energy exhibitions.
More than 80% of the exhibition space has already been booked eight months before the start of the exhibition.
Photovoltaics is the most important driver for renewable energy solutions. Global demand remains strong and experts forecast that the annual photovoltaic capacity newly deployed in 2017 could exceed 100 gigawatts. According to analyst estimates, this equates to growth of 25% over 2016.
Overall, all types of renewable energy have grown, and their total installed capacity worldwide could increase by around 43% by 2022. The IEA’s Renewables 2017 report states that this would correspond to around 1,000 gigawatts.
In 2017, the expansion of renewable sources of energy is predicted to grow by 12% internationally, boosting their share in power generation by more than a third to reach an expected 8,000 terawatt hours by 2022. This would be enough energy to cover the consumption of China, India and Germany combined.
According to the IEA, the acceleration in growth is partly due to the continued fall in power generation prices quoted in tenders, which are currently at around 3.0 US cents per kilowatt hour and thus in some cases lower than energy generation costs from new gas or coal-fired power stations.
The continuing boom is also opening up new sales markets, driving the market further and making it more dynamic. E-mobility, for example, is helping the energy transition to gather pace in the transportation sector – excess electricity from PV installations can be used to power charging stations and run electric cars. So the growth in e-mobility also benefits PV companies by opening up new business models for them, such as building charging stations.
THE SMARTER E – A MEETING POINT FOR THE PIONEERS OF THE NEW ENERGY WORLD
Development thus far has shown that the new energy world is diverse – and complex. This makes it all the more important to present renewable and intelligent energy solutions linking all sectors, with a practical and future-oriented focus.
And that’s the role of The smarter E, the new umbrella brand which is now the home of Intersolar and ees Europe as well as the new exhibitions EM-Power and Power2Drive. It will provide visitors, partners and conference participants with a unique opportunity to experience first-hand both current developments and the future of energy supply, and to help shape them.
Nowhere else are there so many manufacturers, suppliers and service providers from the energy industry presenting the technologies, products and services that already help drive the energy transition, and showing how these interact to make the future of energy supply a reality.
The latest in research and development will also be on show here, offering a look at practical innovations which mobilize companies and inspire them to develop new business models.
The smarter E is a unique platform for discussing innovative ideas with experts and sharing them with an interested, knowledgeable audience. This creates new stimuli and helps companies to set priorities and make progress on the most pressing issues.
With The smarter E and its exhibitions, conferences, forums and workshops, covering all the key elements of the energy value chain, the new energy world has created a very special place. The attendees of this event are taking responsibility for the energy transition and driving it forward.
