Renewables strongly represented at HANNOVER MESSE 2008.

HANNOVER MESSE 2008, 21 to 25 April. Bioenergy and solar energy on the growth track. New: special display devoted to solar thermal energy. New trade show "Wind" makes its debut in 2009.

Renewables will play a pivotal role in the coming years. Their share of the electricity generation market is growing fast. The trade show "Energy" at HANNOVER MESSE is the world's leading platform for renewable energy. Staged jointly by Deutsche Messe, the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) and the German Wind Energy Federation (BWE), the display category "Renewables" (Hall 13) will be extended and enhanced in 2008.
As in past years the line-up will include leading wind energy specialists such as Enercon, Vestas and Fuhrländer. This year there will also be increased emphasis on bio energy and solar energy - as evidenced in the presence of major players like Schmack Biogas, MT Energy, Haase GFK Technik and Envitec.
"Energy" (Halls 13 and 27) will mirror the boom in solar energy technology, especially in export markets. Exhibitors such as the Sharp Corporation (which has booked a display area of 500 square metres) will demonstrate their outstanding capabilities. The German-Japanese Photovoltaic Forum - a new event - will generate additional publicity for the solar energy sector. Japan is the Partner Country at HANNOVER MESSE 2008.
A further highlight is Solar Gigawatt in Hall 27, where the spotlight will be on solar-thermal generating systems. This new display will create a thematic link between "Renewables" and "Power Plant Technology". Making its debut in 2008, "Power Plant Technology" focuses on the design, operation and maintenance of power stations - i.e. on the entire value chain.
Deutsche Messe has developed Solar Gigawatt in collaboration with the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Jülich Solar Institute and the Club of Rome.
In 2008 wind energy will figure prominently in the context of the display category "Renewables". In 2009, however, Deutsche Messe will launch the stand-alone presentation "Wind" under the umbrella of "Energy". In subsequent years "Wind" will alternate with "HUSUMWindEnergy" (formerly known as "HusumWind") held in the North German coastal town of Husum.
In recent years "Energy" has developed into a central meeting place for the international energy industry. Visitors also derive enormous benefit from the supporting program - for example, from the WORLD ENERGY DIALOGUE. In 2008 this high-profile conference will centre on the "Future of power plants and grids". A further highlight will be the "Industry and Export Forum Renewable Energy" organized by the German Energy Agency (dena). Last year's event attracted an audience of 2,000, making it one of best-attended forums at HANNOVER MESSE. Energy-efficient mobility solutions will be on show at Clean Moves Expo (Hall 27).