The smarter E Europe, which keeps its finger on the pulse of the energy sector and is the meeting point of innovations and groundbreaking projects, has once again opened its doors to the future. The smarter E AWARD 2024 award ceremony, which took place right before the fair and was eagerly awaited, brought together the brightest minds and pioneering works in the field of renewable energy this year.

The awards, given in five different categories, celebrated the achievements of companies striving for a sustainable energy future, in a wide range of areas, from solar energy efficiency to energy storage solutions, from giant steps in e-mobility to smart grid technologies.

Solar energy efficiency peaks

The rapid development in solar energy technologies was revealed once again at The smarter E AWARD 2024. French giant ArcelorMittal Construction managed to combine both architectural aesthetics and energy efficiency with Helioroof, developed for roof-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. Helioroof modules, which can be easily applied to both new and existing roofs, attract attention with their light and flexible structures and promise high performance by providing peak power up to 2.17 kilowatts.

The German company NexWafe has developed a technology that is likely to revolutionize solar cell production with its EpiNex wafers. Direct gas-to-wafer production technology offers a more sustainable and economical production process by avoiding material and energy losses caused by traditional methods. EpiNex wafers also pioneer the solar energy technologies of the future with their thinness and high efficiency.

SMA Solar Technology managed to make a name for itself at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with Sunny Central FLEX, which has become an indispensable part of large-scale PV power plants. Combining DC-DC converter, inverter, medium voltage transformer and switching panel in a single container, Sunny Central FLEX also offers an effective solution against grid stability and energy outages.

Energy storage technologies play a vital role in ensuring stable and uninterrupted use of renewable energy resources. The solutions awarded in the energy storage category at The smarter E AWARD 2024 revealed the rapid progress and diversity in this field.

American company ESS Inc. attracted attention with its containerized iron flow battery system Energy Center. Offering 1.16 megawatt hours of storage capacity and 174 kilowatts of maximum charging power, Energy Center stands out with its cooling-free structure and long lifespan. Moreover, its production using abundant and low-cost materials such as iron, salt and water makes the Energy Center both an environmentally friendly and economical solution.

Pfannenberg Europe GmbH managed to impress the jury at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with its smart thermal solution Compact Chiller VLV 12, developed for liquid-cooled battery systems in mobile and fixed applications. Offering 12 kilowatt cooling capacity in a wide temperature range (-25 to +45°C), Compact Chiller VLV 12 also stands out with its quiet and vibration-resistant structure.

German company sonnen GmbH offers a practical and scalable solution for commercial and industrial applications with its modular outdoor energy storage system sonnenPro FlexStack. Offering different capacity options, sonnenPro FlexStack stands out with its high efficiency and long lifespan.

With the spread of electric vehicles, the development of charging infrastructure and the production of innovative solutions are of critical importance for the future of the e-mobility sector. The projects that received awards in the e-mobility category at The smarter E AWARD 2024 revealed the dynamism and creativity in this field.

Switzerland-based Designwerk Technologies made a difference at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with the megawatt battery charging system it developed for heavy-duty electric vehicles. Offering a storage capacity of 2,000 kilowatt hours and a discharge power of up to 2.1 megawatts, the system also stands out with its buffer storage feature against network restrictions. In this way, even heavy vehicles such as electric trucks can be charged in a short time.

German company EcoG received full marks from the jury at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with EcoG Connect, which increases the efficiency of distributed charging architecture. Offering a dynamic direct current switching matrix using central power modules, EcoG Connect both reduces costs and increases energy efficiency.

Israel-based Apollo Power, on the other hand, revealed its vision in the field of sustainable transportation at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with SolarPaint, the flexible solar modules it developed for commercial vehicles. SolarPaint modules, which can be easily applied to the roof of vehicles such as trucks and buses, help reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by meeting some of the electricity needs of vehicles with solar energy.

The increasing rate of renewable energy sources requires energy networks to become smarter and more flexible. The projects that received awards in the smart integrated energy category at The smarter E AWARD 2024 revealed the progress and innovative approaches in this field.

Austria-based CyberGrid managed to impress the jury at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with its software platform CyberNoc, which facilitates the integration and management of renewable energy systems. Combining different energy sources such as wind, solar and battery in virtual power plants, CyberNoc helps manage energy networks more efficiently and stably with real-time data analysis.

German company dvlp.energy was awarded at The smarter E AWARD 2024 for its innovative software platform that makes it easier to find ideal locations for solar, wind and battery projects. Combining map and satellite data with artificial intelligence, dvlp.energy accelerates and optimizes the planning and development process of projects.

German company The Mobility House was awarded the special jury award at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with Battery Commercialization, the software and technology platform it developed to convert battery storage systems into money. Battery Commercialization makes it easier for battery owners to participate in energy markets and generate revenue from their batteries.

At The smarter E AWARD 2024, the outstanding projects category hosted projects that inspire and offer concrete solutions for a sustainable energy future. German company IO-Dynamics won the outstanding project award at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with the smart charging solution it developed for commercial electric vehicle fleets. The project enables electric vehicles to be charged in the most efficient way by optimizing grid capacity and energy demand.

German company MaxSolar was deemed worthy of the special jury award at The smarter E AWARD 2024 with its 125 MWp solar energy park project implemented with citizen participation. In addition to increasing renewable energy production, the project also contributes to local development.

Red Sea Global, based in Saudi Arabia, received full marks from the jury at The Smarter E AWARD 2024 with its luxury tourism facility project powered by the world’s largest off-grid solar energy system. The project sets a groundbreaking example in the field of sustainable tourism.

The smarter E AWARD 2024 promises hope for a more sustainable future by rewarding projects that combine dynamism, creativity and social benefit in the field of renewable energy. Award-winning projects also remind us of the responsibilities that fall on all of us as the business world, the public and individuals.