electrical energy storage Europe
Part of The smarter E Europe
Exhibition: May 7 - 9, 2025, Messe München
Conference: May 6 - 7, 2025, ICM München
At ees Europe in Munich, the Greening the Islands Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development of Curaçao, BSW – the German Solar PV Industry Association – and Solar Promotion, launched the ees Islands Challenge, bringing a real-world island energy transition challenge to the heart of Europe for the first time. The focus was on Curaçao, a frontrunner in the 100% RES Islands Initiative, with top German technical universities engaged to co-create solutions using real data and local scenarios.
This innovative format connected global expertise with Curaçao’s clean energy ambitions, showcasing the leadership of the Government of Curaçao and utility Aqualectra in driving the island’s sustainable transformation. A powerful example of how Greening the Islands bridges islands with the world to accelerate integrated sustainability.
Each year, ees Europe, Europe’s largest and most international exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems, provides a networking opportunity for the industry’s key players, such as manufacturers, distributors, project developers, systems integrators, as well as professional users and suppliers – all under the motto “Innovating Energy Storage”.
It focuses on the latest technologies, trends and market developments. ees Europe took place from May 7–9, 2025 as part of The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry, at Messe München.
GTI highlights at
From Vision to Action
Listen to Gianni Chianetta’s closing remarks at EES Europe 2025
Our Sessions
ees Innovation Hub Stage | Hall B0, Booth B0.310
Subtopic: Energy Storage Systems
May 7, 10:30 - 11:30 CEST
Kick-Off ees Islands Challenge: On the way to 100% RES
Curaçao is undertaking a significant transition towards renewable energy installation planning to reach 70% of RES penetration in 2030. The GTI Foundation is helping to refine and implement its strategy, and to plan ahead for 100%. Part of the planning to ensure a successful transition focused on exploiting the solar potential of the island, focused on installing additional photovoltaic (PV) capacity alongside Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), while also tackled the urban regeneration of the island’s ex-refinery site.
Participants in this challenge were invited to design a specific strategy addressing viable solutions to support Curaçao green energy transition. Central to this was the role of BESS in ensuring grid stability and enabling optimal renewable integration, requiring solutions aligned with the island’s specific conditions.
Key Challenge Pillars Addressed by Teams:
- Deployment of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Innovative strategies for integrating various PV configurations (rooftop, ground-mounted, floating, agrivoltaics), including financial models and land use considerations.
- Power System Impact & Grid Stability: Analysis of grid stability challenges with increasing RES penetration and proposed actions, including necessary studies and grid reinforcements.
- Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Implementation: Selection, configuration (centralized vs. distributed), and sizing rationale (including for large PV plants) for BESS to ensure grid stability, manage intermittency, and meet peak demand.
- Urban Regeneration of the Ex-Refinery Area: Comprehensive concepts for transforming the 440-hectare site, integrating environmental remediation, renewable energy installations, and socio-economic revitalization.
Participants had to develop solutions that align with the island’s geographical, economic, and social conditions while addressing key environmental and sustainability factors.
Agenda
10:30
Welcome from the Organizer
Ms. Sabine Kloos – Project Manager ees Europe, Solar Promotion GmbH
10:35
Mr. Ing. Gianni Chianetta – Chair, Greening the Islands Foundation
10:40
Mrs Lea Dunst – International Project Manager, BSW – German Solar Association
10:45
Mr. Ing. Guido Broggi – Head of Business Development & Partnerships, Greening the Islands Foundation
Mr. Ing. Rudolf Garmes – Chief Technical Officer, Aqualectra – Curaçao Water and Power Company
Mr. Ing. Carlo Zuccaro – Technical Leader, Greening the Islands Foundation
11:10
Mr. Ing. Gianni Chianetta – Chair, Greening the Islands Foundation
11:20
Q&A
11:30
End of the Session
May 8, 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
Public-private cooperation to boost the energy transition of islands. The Curaçao case
The session focused on the public-private cooperation as a key enabler to boost the energy transition of islands, with Curaçao as the case study. The debate aimed at promoting partnerships between international solution providers and island companies, supporting the local economic development and green jobs. This was also the opportunity to further deep dive on the island challenge to 100% renewables and highlight Curaçao as a successful example.
Agenda
14:00
Mr. Ing. Gianni Chianetta – Chair Greening the Islands Foundation
14:05
Panel discussion
- Mr. Luelo Girigorie – Secretary General Ministry of Economic Development
- Mr Rudolf Garmes – Chief Technical Officer, Aqualectra
- Mr. Miles Mercera – CEO, CINEX (Curaçao Investment & Export Promotion Agency)
14:50
Q&A
15:00
May 9, 13:00 - 14:30 CEST
Ees Islands Challenge - The competition final
Three academic groups representing technology institutes took part in the ees island challenge introduced in the first session. Participants interacted with companies attending the conference, interviewing them to identify who offers the best solutions to the two challenges. The groups developed a well-structured analysis of the challenges along with potential high-level strategies to overcome them, formulate strategies and present their proposals. The three best proposals were recognized during the session, offering the opportunity for Curacao to evaluate innovative solutions to be potentially integrated in the island’s 100% RES roadmap.
Supporter
EES Islands Challenge
ees Europe and Greening the Islands Foundation hosted the EES Islands Challenge, a hackathon designed to showcase the photovoltaics and energy storage industries’ ability to create a more sustainable future.
Teams of experts and young professionals competed to develop a sustainable energy system for Curaçao, addressing the integration of renewable energy sources and efficient storage solutions. The challenge promotes collaboration between research institutes and industry partners. Winners were be selected by a jury and the audience at ees Europe.
