Welcome & Introduction

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Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 6:05 .

Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Supply

NOW administers various funding programs for the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, promoting sustainable infrastructure through initiatives like the Export Initiative Environmental Protection. Key projects focus on circular economy, wastewater management, green hydrogen, and fuel cell technologies, aiming to enhance environmental benefits and advance German green technology globally. Diesel generators, commonly used in microgrids, are being replaced by renewable-based hydrogen microgrids that utilize photovoltaic systems for efficient energy supply. Additionally, the exploration of hydrogen and oxygen from electrolyzers seeks to identify innovative applications that boost sustainability and energy efficiency across industries. German SMEs are actively applying their technological expertise in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and critical infrastructure, with ongoing projects demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility. Assessing new systems involves modeling use-cases and evaluating financial levers to establish sustainable business models, paving the way for market development and implementation.

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Speaker

Tom Mikus
Programme Manager International Energy Concepts
NOW GmbH / National Organisation for Sustainable Mobility
Germany

Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Dr. Kathrin Ebner
Tech Lead Hydrogen and E-Mobility
Munich RE
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Dr. Mario Lindner
Research Assistent - Transfer and Use of Hydrogen Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Dr. -Ing. Jonas Pluschke
Research associate
Hochschule Bochum - Sustainable Technologies Laboratory
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Manfred Limbrunner
Head of Sales, Marketing & Business Development
H2 Powercell GmbH
Germany

Dr. Philipp Blechinger
Head of Unit Off-Grid Systems
Reiner Lemoine Institut gGmbH
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Michele Velendric
Director
Green Power Brains GmbH
Germany

Dr. Mario Lindner
Research Assistent - Transfer and Use of Hydrogen Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
Germany

Manfred Limbrunner
Head of Sales, Marketing & Business Development
H2 Powercell GmbH
Germany

Dr. Kathrin Ebner
Tech Lead Hydrogen and E-Mobility
Munich RE
Germany

Dr. Philipp Blechinger
Head of Unit Off-Grid Systems
Reiner Lemoine Institut gGmbH
Germany

To Talk

Further Content
Publication
The German PV and Battery Storage Market

The first of its kind, this study offers an overview of the photovoltaics and battery storage market in Germany.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

Publications
Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025–2029

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power is the most authoritative market analysis for the solar sector.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Solar Made in the EU

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Despite strong research capabilities and the presence of leading production equipment suppliers, Europe has been struggling to rebuild competitive wafer-to-module manufacturing, while the USA and India have enabled a local renaissance in solar manufacturing. In Europe, even long-established inverter manufacturers have been losing considerable ground. With the EU's Net Zero Industry Act yet to deliver momentum, attention is turning to the upcoming Industry Accelerator Act. This session examines how policy, investment and value-chain strategies can strengthen domestic manufacturing and increase internal value creation.Key topics:Overview of EU and national policy frameworks to support local manufacturingStatus of Europe's solar manufacturing value chainInvestment gaps and competitiveness challenges Strategies for triggering a sustainable solar manufacturing revival 

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Off-Grid: PV-Based Hydrogen Microgrid Projects Around the World

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 

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