Innovations and videos on energy, environment and sustainability

Energy is becoming increasingly decentralized, renewable, and digitally controlled. The articles focus on developments in photovoltaics, heat pumps, storage systems, and modern heating technology – and show how supply and efficiency are changing in the building sector.

Technologies, solutions and projects for a sustainable energy future

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New technologies for decentralized energy supply

Energy supply is increasingly being organized in a decentralized manner – through photovoltaic systems, battery storage, heat pumps, and digital control systems. Providers such as Solarland Bayern, Svea Solar, and PREFA are demonstrating how residential and commercial units can be made independent of the traditional power grid. Modular energy storage solutions from companies such as Sonnen, VARTA, and TESVOLT also enable the flexible use of renewable sources.

• Photovoltaic systems with storage and dynamic electricity tariffs (e.g., LichtBlick)
• Plug-and-play balcony power plants for rental apartments (e.g., Green Solar)
• Hybrid solutions with PV, storage, and charging infrastructure (e.g., SolaX, Smart Solar)

Decentralized systems enable greater self-sufficiency, increase energy efficiency, and create new options for self-consumption and feed-in.

Hydrogen, fuel cells, and industrial applications

Hydrogen technology is considered one of the key components for a climate-neutral future—not only in transportation, but also in industry and energy production. Companies such as Cellcentric, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, Siemens, and Neuman & Esser are working on scalable solutions for electrolysis, storage, and utilization. Logistics also benefits: fuel cells are replacing batteries in forklifts, fleets, and container terminals.

• H2 production plants and electrolysers for industrial projects (e.g., Thyssenkrupp, Fraunhofer ISE)
• System solutions for long-distance transport and commercial vehicles (e.g., Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck)
• Specialized components such as MEAs, bipolar plates, and safety valves

The diversity of applications shows that hydrogen technology has long since arrived in operational use—no longer just a pilot project, but part of industrial strategy.

Heating solutions between heat pumps, biomass, and system integration

In the building sector, heating systems are continuing to develop in the direction of efficiency, modularity, and sustainability. Manufacturers such as Bosch, Panasonic, Solarfocus, and Weishaupt are focusing on modern heat pumps, supplemented by smart control, energy management, and combinations with photovoltaics. At the same time, biomass remains a stable component of regional heating strategies, for example through suppliers such as Hargassner and Fröling. Innovative concepts are created through:

• Modular building technology with integrated ventilation (e.g., Smart Cube 360)
• System solutions for hot water, storage, and heating circuit control
• Planning software for heat pumps and heating systems (e.g., autarc, Zenesis)

Today, energy efficiency is no longer achieved through individual devices, but through networked systems—tailored to buildings, user behavior, and subsidy models.

Energy research: Focus on renewable energies

The energy research area plays a central role when it comes to classifying technological developments and realistically assessing their impact on the environment, economy, and society. The focus is on renewable energies that are used both for electricity generation and for renewable heat. Photovoltaics, wind power, heat pumps, solar thermal energy, and biomass are not isolated topics, but rather a closely interlinked overall system that is increasingly being digitally controlled and optimized. Research institutions, industry, and energy suppliers are working together to make these technologies more efficient, durable, and easier to integrate. An important aspect is the comparison of different systems and applications. While renewable electricity can now be generated competitively in many regions, research is increasingly focusing on coupling the electricity and heating sectors. This shows how crucial storage technologies, smart grids, and load management are for ensuring security of supply while sustainably reducing energy-related emissions. In the building sector in particular, it is clear that only the interaction of generation, storage, and use can fully realize the ecological benefits. The projects and companies presented on Messe.TV reflect this development. They show how research results are gradually being translated into marketable solutions and how new technologies are contributing to more efficient energy use and measurable reductions in emissions. This makes the research sector not only a driver of innovation, but also an important basis for decision-making for politicians, businesses, and users who want to actively shape the transformation of the energy supply.