Germany-based reLi Energy has been awarded the GOLD Winner title at the European Solar Startup Awards 2026, recognising the company’s contribution to advancing renewable energy and battery storage technologies in Europe. The annual award, organised by SolarPower Europe, honours innovative startups that are helping accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, electrified, and renewable-powered energy system.

The final stage of the competition took place during the SolarPower Summit in Brussels, where four shortlisted startups presented their technologies and business models directly to the awards jury. reLi Energy secured the top position for its work in improving the performance, efficiency, and lifespan of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) through a combination of hardware and software solutions.

The company primarily focuses on supporting asset managers, energy traders, EPC companies, and system integrators by helping them optimise battery operations while maximising commercial returns.Commenting on the achievement, Laura Laringe said the award reflects growing industry recognition for technologies that connect battery performance management with energy trading strategies.

She stated that the market is increasingly looking for intelligent software solutions capable of protecting battery assets while also improving profitability and operational efficiency. According to her, the recognition further strengthens reLi Energy’s role in supporting Europe’s ongoing energy transition.Walburga Hemetsberger also highlighted the importance of innovation within Europe’s renewable energy ecosystem.

She noted that the European Solar Startup Award offers a glimpse into the future of the energy industry by showcasing technologies that can support a cleaner, more flexible, and economically stable energy landscape. She added that reLi Energy and the other finalists demonstrated how advanced digital and energy technologies can help accelerate Europe’s renewable energy transformation.

Alongside reLi Energy, three other startups were shortlisted as finalists for the 2026 edition of the awards. Estonia-based Gridio was recognised for its smart electric vehicle charging platform, which automatically charges EVs based on electricity tariffs and the availability of excess solar energy. The system integrates directly with the cloud services of major automobile manufacturers and operates without requiring additional hardware.

Swedish company Qurrent was also shortlisted for its platform that aggregates and optimises distributed energy resources such as solar power systems and battery energy storage assets. The platform is designed to improve grid flexibility while supporting renewable energy integration and providing benefits for both grid operators and asset owners.

Finnish startup Polar Night Energy was another finalist for its Sand Battery technology, which stores renewable energy in the form of heat using sand as a thermal storage medium. The stored energy can later be used for district heating, industrial processes, or space heating applications. The company is also working on future technologies that could potentially convert stored heat back into electricity.

The awards jury for the 2026 edition included several renewable energy and investment industry experts, including Jenny Chase, Anke Dissel, Felix Krause, and Michael Schmela.The award ceremony concluded with Michael Schmela presenting the recognition to Laura Laringe during the SolarPower Summit in Brussels, highlighting reLi Energy’s growing influence within Europe’s renewable energy and battery storage sector.