Energy Management - Transforming the Energy Industry
Smarter energy management approaches bring greater efficiency, lower costs, and make for a more resilient power grid.
In homes across Europe, networks of Internet of Things devices mean energy use can be optimised in real-time, responding to changes in electricity prices and weather conditions. Meanwhile, renewable installations are integrated seamlessly and sustainably for clean electricity, making the most of natural resources when the sun shines and the wind blows.
Electric vehicles become more than just consumers of power — they store and share it, too. Bidirectional connections encourage the two-way flow of energy between utilities and end users, creating a more flexible, stable, and resilient grid.
Useful jump links
- How we support energy management projects
- Featured articles
- Energy management applications
- Featured energy storage suppliers
- Featured intelligent energy management and storage suppliers
- Market research
- Frequently asked energy management and storage questions
- AI's impact on energy management and storage
This isn't a vision of the future — it’s happening now.
Effective energy management strategies are already transforming the world around us.
Suddenly, through the use of such advanced technologies, individuals and businesses are using energy in more intelligent and responsible ways. They are reducing bills and lowering carbon footprints. It even becomes possible to monetise surplus power by selling it back to the grid.
Energy management is, therefore, taking a central role in our increasingly connected world. It represents a fundamental shift in how we produce, consume, and think about energy, delivering benefits for all.
Engineers enable this brave new world
Engineers contribute at every stage of the value chain, designing, implementing, and maintaining energy systems for a more sustainable and efficient future.
From enhancing grid technologies to developing intelligent devices in our homes, engineers are the driving force behind advanced energy management techniques, connecting the dots to ensure optimal functionality across the entire energy network.
Avnet Silica is your partner in energy management
We help our customers design and build the most reliable and efficient energy management technologies in several ways:
- Energy management expertise: We have highly skilled energy management specialists across EMEA. Our experts bring insights that extend beyond the datasheet, availability, and price. The combined experience within our network covers thousands of projects across different customers, markets, regions, and technologies.
- Products for every need: From MCUs and memory through power components and modules, we have a complete product portfolio, meaning you can source all parts of your energy management solution from a single distributor.
- World-class suppliers: We’re proud to partner with leading energy management system suppliers. Choosing which supplier to work with isn't just about the technology, but also knowing which supplier will be best for your exact situation — size, production volume, location, the level of technical support you might require, and more.
- System solutions: We provide expert guidance and access to specialised third-party services for testing, certification, and evaluation, helping you deliver smarter, cleaner, and more efficient designs.
Featured articles
Overview
Smart Home & Smart Building Overview
Whether you’re developing a smart-home appliance or a system to control all of the functions in a commercial building, you need a partner who understands the associated standards, security aspects and data models. We helped create these standards.
Advanced Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems (ESS) are revolutionising how we generate, store, and consume electricity, providing flexibility and reliability to both residential and commercial energy infrastructures.
Renewable Energy for a Brighter Tomorrow
Renewables integration is a central component of a more flexible, decentralised grid. New technologies such as bifacial solar panels and vertical-axis wind turbines are finding increasing applications across towns and cities worldwide.
Software and Security for Energy Management
In today's interconnected world, software and security are fundamental to the effective management of energy systems. They enable the integration, optimisation, and protection of energy assets, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and resilience.
Smart Homes: Making Life Easier & More Affordable
By connecting living spaces through the Internet of Things, technologies such as lighting, heating, cooling and consumer electronics become more controllable and usable, enhancing many aspects of our daily lives.
Advancements in Solar Inverter and Energy Storage System Technologies
The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by an increasing focus on carbon neutrality and the development of green energy. Solar energy, particularly when combined with Energy Storage Systems (ESS), is at the forefront of this shift, offering a promising future for a more sustainable and clean energy infrastructure. Harvey Wilson takes a closer look at the evolving trends, design considerations, and prominent topologies in residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications, with a particular focus on onsemi's ESS and Solar technology advances.
Webinar: Smart Agriculture Solutions
Autonomous tractors navigating fields with centimetre-level accuracy are no longer a future concept. Drones can deliver real-time crop insights, while connected machinery reports operational data from remote locations. At the same time, intuitive human-machine interfaces are simplifying complex agricultural workflows for operators.
To help engineers stay ahead of the rapidly evolving field of smart agriculture, we've designed a two-day technical webinar, Smart Agriculture Solutions, scheduled for 17 and 18 February 2026. The event brings together experts from NXP, Nordic Semiconductor, Quectel, Renesas, STMicroelectronics, Tria and u-blox to explore practical, deployable solutions that are shaping the next generation of modern agriculture.
REGISTER NOW
Webinar: Intelligent Energy Management and Storage Solutions
As the global energy landscape shifts toward decentralisation, electrification, and real-time optimisation, the demand for secure, scalable, and intelligent energy systems is greater than ever.
In this exclusive Avnet Silica webinar, we bring together leading semiconductor experts from Diodes, Microchip, MPS, Nexperia, NXP, onsemi, Renesas, and STMicroelectronics to explore how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping energy storage and power management systems.
Whether you're designing for e-mobility, renewable energy, or smart infrastructure, this webinar will help you accelerate development with future-proof technologies and expert insights.
WATCH ON-DEMAND
Heat pumps
Recent energy shocks and subsequent price volatility in Europe have seen consumers and businesses seek new ways to heat their homes and premises.
Consequently, heat pumps have emerged as a highly efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel heating systems.
Learn More
EV charging
EV charging is one of the fastest-growing subsegments in the automotive industry, with the charging infrastructure market in Europe alone forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 30% between now and 2030.
While sales of electric vehicles continue to soar across the world, the corresponding number of charging points is lagging behind, leaving consumers and car manufacturers in urgent need of more. In the UK alone, the Policy Exchange think-tank predicts a need for over 400,000 charging points, where there are currently only 65,000. With this anticipated level of demand comes a need for cost effective, durable solutions, that offer both speed and flexibility.
Learn More
We put technology at your fingertips
Our key energy management systems and components include:
- Microcontrollers and processors: Compact, low-power microcontrollers and processors provide intelligence for smart home devices. With data widths from 8 to 64 bits, there is no shortage of processing options for achieving your desired level of performance.
- Wireless communication modules: Robust wireless connectivity solutions across networks such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and LoRa help IoT devices communicate and share data within smart energy systems. From chip and module to complete solutions, including antenna implementation, connectivity, and cloud services, we have a full portfolio of wireless products to support your design.
- Sensors: High-precision sensors for monitoring a variety of inputs such as temperature, humidity, motion, pressure, energy consumption and flow are vital for automating and optimising smart home and industrial energy management.
- Power management ICs: Well-packaged integrated circuits can manage and regulate power within smart devices with ultra-high efficiency, ensuring energy is used effectively to maximise battery life.
- Energy storage components: High-quality components such as discrete power devices and modules, connectivity solutions, MCUs, MPUs, cloud platforms, and LCD screens.
- Interface and display technologies: Intuitive interfaces and display technologies for monitoring and control of energy management systems, enhancing user engagement and system efficiency in homes and businesses.
Understanding the art of the possible
Our application pages show how engineers are bringing advanced energy management to life. Whatever your area of interest, our resources provide an overview of the latest technologies and trends that push the boundaries of innovation.
Smart homes: Focusing on the integration of intelligent home energy management systems that learn from user behaviour to optimise heating, cooling, and electricity usage, ultimately lowering costs.
Renewable installations: Learn about advanced solar optimisation in commercial and residential applications that increase energy generation efficiency, while gaining an understanding of novel technologies such as vertical-axis wind turbines in smart city infrastructure.
Energy storage systems: Find out more about home and commercial-scale power wall batteries that store energy for use during peak demand or when generation is low, as well as advanced portable power supplies that provide sustainable and reliable power on demand.
Electric vehicles and charging: Realise the potential for electric vehicles to democratise energy systems by encouraging vehicle-to-grid infrastructure, increasing the mix of renewables and allowing EV owners to use electricity stored in their car's battery to power homes or sell it back to the grid.
Heat pumps: Discover how air and ground-source heat pumps can be a highly efficient alternative to traditional heating systems and can be integrated with real-time data from smart home systems for more intelligent control.
Software and security: Understand the critical role of software in energy management, with exciting advances such as the Matter open standard protocol that allows connected devices from different manufacturers to work together without fuss. Also, find out how the latest advances in cybersecurity protect the integrity of energy management systems, reducing potential risks associated with data theft and cyber-attacks.
Featured Energy Storage System Suppliers
Avnet Silica partners with the industry’s leading technology providers to offer innovative solutions for energy storage system design. Whether you're building residential battery packs, commercial power control systems, or grid-scale storage solutions, our suppliers deliver the performance, efficiency, and scalability of modern energy applications demand.
| Supplier | Energy Management Focus |
|---|---|
| NXP Semiconductors | NXP offers high-performance microcontrollers and secure element devices ideal for energy monitoring, metering, and smart grid integration, helping enable reliable and connected ESS solutions. |
| STMicroelectronics | ST provides advanced power management ICs and robust microcontrollers that support efficient energy conversion and system control across energy storage applications. ST also offers a comprehensive portfolio of silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and IGBT power devices designed to meet high-performance demands in power switching and conversion. |
| Renesas Electronics | Renesas delivers a broad portfolio of microcontrollers and power line communication modems designed for seamless system integration, real-time control, and data exchange in energy storage environments. |
| Nordic Semiconductor | Nordic’s low-power SoCs and BLE connectivity solutions are ideal for wireless monitoring, device control, and data transmission within distributed and modular energy storage networks. |
| onsemi | onsemi delivers energy harvesting solutions and high-efficiency AC-DC controllers and regulators that contribute to low-loss power conversion and longer battery life. Their extensive range of Si, SiC, GaN, and IGBT power devices enables designers to address key requirements for high-voltage, high-efficiency energy storage systems. |
| AMD | AMD’s embedded processors deliver high-performance computing capabilities to support advanced analytics, system intelligence, and control in sophisticated energy management platforms. |
Intelligent Energy Management and Storage Solutions
We've taken some presentations from our recent Intelligent Energy Management and Storage Solutions webinar, which brought together leading semiconductor experts from Diodes, Microchip, MPS, Nexperia, NXP, onsemi, Renesas, and STMicroelectronics to explore how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping energy storage and power management systems.
Featured presentations
- STMicroelectronics: ST Motor Control Solutions for High Power Cooling Systems, HVAC, BESS, AI Data Centres, by Dino Costanzo (Head of Motor Control Competence Centre, ApeC/China)
- onsemi: onsemi's Silicon Carbide (SiC) Solutions in Energy Storage Systems (ESS), by Pramod Patil (Marketing Analyst)
- Renesas: Renesas Solutions for Behind-the-Meter Energy Storage Systems, by Hunter Freberg (Systems Architect)
- Nexperia: Nexperia's Energy Management and Storage Solutions for System Efficiency, by Guilluame Bossant (Senior Field Application Engineer)
Market Research
European energy storage hardware startups raise €2.14B
Total equity funding for European startups in energy storage hardware has topped €2.14 billion. 46.7% of the 2.14 billion was raised in the last three years, and 84.4% in the last five, reveals research from Avnet Silica.
Market Research
BESS startups expand value proposition as competition grows
European startups manufacturing Battery Energy Storage Systems have acquired $331.8 million in equity funding, with 75% of the companies estimated to have reached a phase of commercial maturity, reveals new research from Avnet Silica.
Frequently asked Energy Management & Storage questions
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| What is meant by 'energy management'? | Energy management refers to the process of monitoring, controlling, and optimising the production, distribution, and consumption of energy. It involves integrating various energy sources, storage systems, and loads to maximise efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure sustainability. In modern contexts, energy management also includes the use of digital technologies, AI, and IoT to enable predictive control, real-time monitoring, and smart automation of energy flows in buildings, grids, and industrial systems. |
| What is meant by 'energy storage'? | Energy storage involves capturing energy produced at one time for use at a later time. This is typically achieved using technologies such as batteries (lithium-ion, solid-state), flywheels, pumped hydro, or other systems. Energy storage systems (ESS) are crucial for balancing supply and demand, integrating renewable energy, providing backup power, and enhancing grid stability. |
|
Why has energy management and energy storage become more important in recent years? |
The importance of energy management and storage has surged due to:
|
| What are the key energy management and energy storage applications? |
Key applications include:
|
| What are some of the key technologies enabling energy management and energy storage? |
Key enabling technologies include: |
| What are 'Advanced Energy Storage Systems'? | Advanced Energy Storage Systems refer to next-generation storage solutions that go beyond traditional batteries. These systems may include solid-state batteries, flow batteries, hybrid systems, and those integrated with AI for predictive control, enhanced safety, and optimised performance. They are designed for higher efficiency, longer life, improved safety, and better integration with renewables and smart grids. |
| Why are software and security important for energy management and storage? |
Software enables real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, remote management, and optimisation of energy assets. |
| How will energy management and storage progress in the next decade? |
Key advancements over the next decade or so include:
|
| Who are some of the key startups in the energy management and storage space? |
The energy management and storage sector is known for dynamic startups in areas like AI-driven grid management, advanced battery chemistries, and digital energy platforms. Avnet Silica's latest market research on energy storage and BESS startups identified the following startups: Energy storage and BESS startups (funding figures as of 2025):
|
| What is Avnet Silica's involvement in energy storage and energy management? |
Avnet Silica is a leading technology distributor and solution provider, offering:
|
| What are Avnet Silica's key suppliers in energy storage and management, and what do they offer? |
Avnet Silica's key energy storage and management suppliers and their offerings include:
|
AI's impact on Energy Storage & Management now and in year's to come
While the impact of artificial intelligence is being and will be felt across almost all industries and sectors, it will have a considerable impact on the energy management and storage space, bringing cost-saving, sustainability, and forecasting benefits. Here are just a few examples:
1. Smart Buildings & Predictive Control
- AI-powered energy management in smart buildings integrates renewable generation (like solar), storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and intelligent load control. This enables buildings to reduce costs, improve resilience, and actively support grid stability.
- AI and IoT unlock predictive control, maximising efficiency and sustainability. For example, AI can forecast energy consumption, optimise HVAC and lighting systems, and coordinate with battery storage for peak shaving and backup.
- Energy efficiency gains: Integrated AI control can deliver up to 30–40% energy savings in smart buildings by optimising all subsystems together.
2. AI in Energy Storage and Grid Management
- Forecasting & Optimisation: AI algorithms analyse historical data, weather, and real-time sensor inputs to predict energy consumption and renewable production, helping utilities balance supply and demand and reduce blackout risks.
- Smart Charging/Discharging: AI optimises when to charge or discharge batteries, ensuring energy is available when needed and maximising the use of renewables.
- Microgrid Management: AI enables real-time management of microgrids, integrating distributed energy resources and responding quickly to disturbances.
3. AI in Data Centers and Power Infrastructure
- AI data centers are driving a surge in global electricity demand, with consumption expected to more than double from 415 TWh in 2024 to 945 TWh by 2030.
- Efficiency innovations: AI is used to optimise cooling (e.g., Google’s DeepMind reduced data center cooling energy by 40%), manage workloads, and shift power usage to times/locations with lower carbon intensity.
- Advanced power electronics: The adoption of wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN) in AI data centres boosts power conversion efficiency, reduces heat, and lowers overall system costs.
4. Generative AI & Self-Learning Systems
- Generative AI goes beyond analysis to generate optimized solutions for energy, security, and comfort, simulating "what if" scenarios to prevent failures and reduce costs.
- Self-learning buildings: AI systems continuously adapt, learning from data to autonomously improve energy performance and user comfort.
5. Predictive Maintenance & Integration with Renewables
- Machine learning detects anomalies in equipment (e.g., HVAC, compressors, fans), enabling interventions before failures and reducing operational costs by up to 40%.
- AI coordinates HVAC, solar, and batteries for optimal energy use, such as pre-cooling buildings when solar energy is abundant, minimising grid demand.
6. Cybersecurity and Resilience
- As energy management systems become more connected, AI-driven threat detection and secure-by-design approaches are essential to protect assets like solar inverters, storage, and EV chargers from cyber threats.
The Future: From Smart to Autonomous & Sustainable
AI is moving energy management from reactive to predictive, and from connected to autonomous. Self-learning systems will manage energy, comfort, and security, accelerating decarbonisation and resilience. AI-powered HVAC alone is expected to deliver €10–15B annual energy savings in Europe by 2030. Here are a few other area's of energy management and the benefits that will be introduced as a result of AI:
| Area | AI-Driven Benefit | Example/Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Buildings | Predictive control, potential for between 30 & 40% energy savings | Integrated HVAC, lighting, storage |
| Energy Storage & Grids | Forecasting, smart charging/discharging | Grid stability, peak shaving |
| Data Centres | Optimised cooling, power management | 40% less cooling energy, >97% PSU eff. |
| Predictive Maintenance | Early fault detection, lower OPEX (operational expenditure) | Up to 40% OPEX (operational expenditure) reduction |
| Renewables Integration | Dynamic load balancing, V2G (vehicle to grid), self-consumption | Solar, battery, EV synergy |
| Cybersecurity | AI-driven threat detection, secure-by-design | End-to-end protection |
| Market Outlook | Massive energy/cost savings, sustainability | €10–15B/yr HVAC savings (EU, 2030) |
Working on an Energy Management project?
Our experts bring insights that extend beyond the datasheet, availability and price. The combined experience contained within our network covers thousands of projects across different customers, markets, regions and technologies. We will pull together the right team from our collective expertise to focus on your application, providing valuable ideas and recommendations to improve your product and accelerate its journey from the initial concept out into the world.
Technology
Avnet Displays
Avnet Displays are the display technology experts of the global Avnet family, which has teams, distribution centers and support facilities strategically located to serve customers all over the world.
Technologies
Power
Our EMEA power FAEs are helping hundreds of businesses across EMEA shift to more efficient, smarter and cleaner power technologies. Explore our power capabilities and browse resources on wide bandgap technology, thermal management and more.
Solutions
Internet of Things
Avnet Silica has the perfect supplier offering to enable you to put your product development into the Internet of Things.
Contact us
Have a question?
Int. Freecall - 00800 412 412 11 | Product or shop-related inquiries: OnlineSupportEU@avnet.com | For anything else, head over to our contact form.