RENEXPO 2026 is expanding and placing a clear focus on interconnected energy systems

RENEXPO 2026 grows and places a clear focus on interconnected energy systems

For two days, Messezentrum Salzburg once again became the central meeting point for the energy sector:

Renexpo - connect energies 2026 brought together 1,327 trade visitors, more than 80 exhibitors, numerous experts, and decision-makers from business, research, and politics on March 19 and 20. Covering an exhibition area of more than 2,500 m², the event impressively demonstrated how the trade fair has evolved, with an expanded concept and a sharpened thematic focus, into a platform for the entire future of energy. Hydropower remained a key component, while storage technologies, grid integration, and cross-sector energy solutions moved even more strongly into focus.

In doing so, Renexpo addresses one of the central challenges of the energy transition: the interaction between generation, storage, and grid infrastructure.

Alexander Kribus, Managing Director of Messezentrum Salzburg, draws a positive conclusion: “Renexpo - connect energies 2026 impressively demonstrated the strong level of interest in an interconnected view of the energy future. By further developing the format, we succeeded in bringing together proven topics such as hydropower with future-oriented themes such as storage, grids, and system integration, thereby creating a strong platform for exchange and concrete solutions. This makes the positive feedback we received from many exhibitors all the more gratifying.”

The event’s expanded thematic scope clearly struck a chord within the industry: with 82 exhibitors (previous year: 63), the trade fair recorded significant growth of around 30 percent. Exhibitors presented their products, services, and innovations, underlining the growing relevance of Renexpo as a central platform for a sustainably interconnected energy supply. “With the thematic expansion to include storage, grids, and cross-sector solutions, we succeeded in addressing new target groups while further strengthening the existing professional community. The combination of conference program, exhibition, and networking formats was particularly well received,” said Christoph Schrammel, Exhibition Director of Renexpo.

With numerous expert presentations, panel discussions, and practical examples, the trade fair offered a diverse technical program. Topics included river thermal energy as a renewable heat supply, tailor-made generator solutions for specific power plant projects, and the new-build Forbach project.

Security of supply requires storage, grids, and clear framework conditions

One of the highlights was the energy talk on the Renexpo Forum stage, titled “Renewable energies working together – storage solutions as the key to security of supply.” Representatives from politics, the energy industry, associations, and research discussed the prerequisites for a stable energy system.

“If you want to achieve security of supply, competitiveness, and climate targets, you have to invest,” said Leonhard Schitter, Managing Director of Energie, referring in particular to the need for investment in grids, storage, and infrastructure. Martina Prechtl-Grundnig, Managing Director of Erneuerbare Energie Österreich, emphasized that the expansion of renewable energy is fundamentally feasible. However, this requires consistent permitting processes, sufficient land availability, and the shared goal of all stakeholders to drive the energy transition forward quickly.

Michael Baminger, Managing Director of Salzburg AG, pointed out that climate neutrality requires not only more generation capacity, but above all significantly greater flexibility in the electricity system. “The supreme discipline of this energy transformation will not only be the construction of infrastructure, but above all the provision of flexibility, and that is exactly why it is perfectly placed at Renexpo,” said Baminger. Storage solutions are therefore becoming a crucial building block for balancing volatility and shifting energy from summer into winter.

The overall message of the discussion was clear: a climate-neutral energy system requires not only additional generation capacities, but also high-performance grids and, above all, storage solutions to ensure flexibility and make energy available seasonally.

A further panel discussion focused on storage technologies, their various applications, and their advantages and disadvantages. It became clear that battery storage systems are currently gaining significant importance, not least due to sharply reduced costs and simplified implementation, particularly in the commercial and energy sectors. At the same time, it was emphasized that while battery storage is an important part of the solution, a mix of technologies will be required in the long term.

Johannes von Schkopp of TenneT Germany referred in this context to the dynamic development of the market: “Storage technologies are part of the solution.” Second-life batteries were also highlighted as a promising approach for making continued meaningful use of existing capacities. Horst Ebner of energy producer and filling station operator Gutmann particularly emphasized the importance of flexibility on the demand side. Using concrete examples, he showed how dynamic tariffs can help specifically balance overproduction and shift consumption to periods of high electricity availability.

Hydropower remains a strong foundation

The trade fair also deliberately built on its roots: hydropower remains an important part of the event and underscores its role as the backbone of the Austrian energy market. In cooperation with vgbe energy e.V. and the Association for Ecology and Environmental Research, highly specialized technical conferences were organized to present the latest know-how, current research findings, and best practices in the field of hydropower. A total of 150 participants took part in the vgbe formats.

The annual general meeting of Kleinwasserkraft Salzburg also took place during the trade fair.

Renexpo - connect energies 2026 therefore sent a strong signal for the further development of the energy system – interconnected, innovation-oriented, and practical.

The next Renexpo - connect energies will take place in March 2027 at Messezentrum Salzburg.

Media library: Renexpo 2026 | Flickr