Once again, Europe's leading trade fair for the energy industry presented itself as the sought-after platform for the sector: More than 20,000 trade visitors from 68 nations exchanged views at E-world energy & water on solutions and ways for the energy transition - a value on course for the record level of before the pandemic. At Messe Essen, 820 exhibitors - a new record - from 27 nations showed their innovations to decision-makers from companies, business, politics and associations. At the same time, the well-attended lecture program with over 50 events offered numerous opportunities for information, networking and discussions.
Stefanie Hamm, Managing Director of E-world GmbH: "We are happy and proud that E-world was once again able to be the central platform on which the energy transition was decisively shaped and advanced. The intensive exchange among the decision-makers has again provided enthusiasm and important impulses." Her managing director colleague Sabina Großkreuz added: "With an increased share of foreign visitors to 30 percent, E-world has also impressively confirmed its position as number 1 in Europe. We are already looking forward to the next event in the usual timeframe from February 20 to 22, 2024."
The dominant topic on all three days of the trade fair was the transformation to renewable energies. Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V. (Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry of Germany), said at the E-world press conference: "We have little time until climate neutrality. That's why we're not discussing the goal, but the paths and solutions for supply security, digitization and the energy transition." It was precisely these solutions that companies, start-ups, associations and institutions presented in a total of five exhibition halls. Their broad offerings ranged from energy generation to transport and (decentralized) storage to trading, efficiency, green technologies and energy services. The focus was particularly on hydrogen as an energy carrier. 65 exhibitors presented solutions in this area, including combined heat and power plants that can also be operated with hydrogen, filter devices for high-purity hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells based on methanol as an alternative to diesel generators. For the first time, there was a separate presentation area called "Hydrogen Solutions", where more than 20 companies presented their hydrogen-based technologies.
Another major aspect in shaping the energy transition is energy networks. Katherina Reiche, CEO of Westenergie AG: "The energy supply must become secure, clean and affordable. The way to achieve this can only succeed through the expansion of our energy networks. The effects of the Easter package will be the ultimate stress test for the distribution networks. For them to pass this test, a grid turbo is needed now - with more speed, more digitization and more security of investment." Markus Hettig, VP Building Business DACH Schneider Electric: "We have clearly felt that the importance of the energy networks sector has grown because of the energy transition. Many exciting, innovative approaches can be observed. Schneider Electric offers hardware and digital solutions that support energy suppliers in their transformation. It was already clear on the first day of the trade fair that we are in the right place with this: Particularly because of our focus on sustainability, E-world is the place to connect with customers from the energy sector."
Conference program with strong signals for the industry
Important signals, especially in the direction of politics and business, came from the strong conference program at E-world. At the Leadership Meeting Energy, Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, and RheinEnergie CEO Andreas Feicht, among others, spoke about where secure energy should come from in the future. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Energy and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur said at E-world: "We need to spark a strong dynamic in the expansion of renewable energies. Likewise, considerable investments are needed in secured and, in the future, climate-neutral power plant capacities in order to secure the phase-out of coal-fired power generation and nuclear energy. E-world brings all the players together and is therefore the perfect place to exchange views on this."
This exchange and intensive dialog was organized by speakers and trade visitors at the four forums directly in the exhibition halls. The presentations and discussions, which were always well attended, provided valuable input on current topics such as hydrogen, renewable energies, challenges and changes in the energy industry.
E-world is internationally in demand
The number of international trade visitors at E-world increased once again. Almost every third guest came from abroad. Great Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium were particularly well represented. The Consulates Day, which took place on the second day of the fair, was also very popular. Around 50 international representatives took part, including from Luxembourg, Sweden, Kazakhstan, China and Argentina. They took the opportunity to find out about sustainable solutions in the energy industry and to network directly with local companies.
E-world is committed to recruiting qualified staff
One of the challenges facing the industry is recruiting skilled employees. At the popular career forum on the third day of the trade fair, graduates networked with companies and explored career options. IT talents were able to show their skills in the E-world.prototype.club throughout the trade fair and develop practical solutions for clients from the energy industry in the Software Developer Test.
High re-visit intentions among visitors and exhibitors
How satisfied the participants were with E-world 2023 is shown by the high level of intentions to visit again. 95 percent of the visitors also want to take part in the next E-world energy & water, which will take place from February 20 to 22, 2024 at Messe Essen. The response on the exhibitor side is also extremely positive. 92 percent of the companies have stated that they want to be there again next year and the majority have already secured their stand space again during the trade fair.
E-world 2023: Figures in detail
E-world is jointly organized by con|energy and Messe Essen. It recorded 820 exhibitors from 27 nations. Including the extrapolation of the last day of the fair, there were over 20,000 registered trade visitors (FKM). In addition to international participants, the extensive supporting programs were also attended by guests of honor, representatives of the press and influencers. The proportion of trade visitors was 99 percent.
Other exhibitor comments:
Devrim Celal, CEO KrakenFlex:
"This year's E-world was a great success for Kraken and the energy industry. We were thrilled with the response at our booth and enjoyed talking to a wide variety of people from the industry - from small green startups and retailers to large utilities - about flexibility management in the transition to renewable energy. Kraken looks forward to continuing our collaboration with industry innovators as we push the world toward Net Zero."
Dirk Briese, Managing Director BEMD e. V. - Bundesverband der Energiemarktdienstleister (German Association of Energy Market Service Providers):
"Our first joint stand at E-World was a complete success from the point of view of the 20 co-exhibitors in total. The stand became the central meeting point for energy market service providers and services in a pleasant, friendly and open atmosphere. For next year, we plan to build on this year's success and attract more co-exhibitors to the BEMD joint stand."
Farina Georgi, Team Leader Marketing, Commeo:
“The response at the last E-World trade fair was so overwhelming that we decided for this year to no longer appear as a sub-exhibitor, but to participate with our own large stand. The decision was absolutely right. The trade fair is and remains the meeting place for the energy industry. We are very happy about the interesting and especially sustainable discussions we had on site, as well as new opportunities for cooperation we were able to report about - the signing of our partnership with Wilo Project for the joint market entry with customized H2Powerplant solutions for industry and commerce was one of these opportunities and at the same time our highlight of the fair. With the positive experiences from this year, we are already looking forward to E-World 2024!"