What is the Smart Grid Exhibition at ISH China & CIHE?
The Smart Grid Exhibition at ISH China & CIHE showcases innovative technologies that enhance electricity distribution and grid management. It focuses on energy storage and microgrids for resiliency, advanced smart metering solutions, demand response programmes for peak-load flexibility, and seamless integration of distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar, storage, and flexible HVAC loads. Designed for industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers, it leverages ISH China & CIHE’s international reach to connect global brands with the dynamic Asian market. The broader ISH 2026 edition is expected to span 8 halls with approximately 110,000 square meters, feature around 1,300 exhibitors, and welcome about 78,000 visitors, amplifying the smart grid dialogue across the HVAC ecosystem.
Smart Grid Exhibition Overview
A dedicated showcase for grid modernisation at ISH China & CIHE, featuring energy storage microgrids, smart metering, demand response, and DER integration for resilient, efficient power systems.
Smart Grid Exhibition: A Comprehensive Platform at ISH China & CIHE
The Smart Grid Exhibition brings together cutting-edge solutions for grid stability, storage, metering, demand response, and DER integration, enabling utilities and cities to build reliable, low-carbon electricity systems. Co-located with the region’s leading HVAC platform, it unlocks sector coupling between power and buildings. In recent years, ISH China & CIHE is widely regarded as the most extensive HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning), plumbing, and home comfort trade show in Asia, and the 2026 edition spanning 110,000 square meters offers unparalleled opportunities to engage with global innovators and accelerate deployment.
Key Benefits
- Live demonstrations across energy storage microgrids, smart meters, demand response, and DER integration.
- Direct access to utilities, grid operators, technology providers, and policymakers for high-impact networking.
- Unique cross-industry synergies with HVAC and building systems to enable grid-interactive, flexible demand.
Considerations
- Advanced topics may require a technical background to fully evaluate solutions and interoperability.
- The fair’s large scale makes strategic pre-planning essential to maximise meetings and sessions.
Why It's Essential
- It accelerates grid modernisation by uniting storage, metering, demand response, and DER solutions under one roof with direct pathways to deployment.
Heating Solutions
Grid-interactive, efficient heating: boilers, heat pumps, smart controls, and industrial systems engineered for flexibility, demand response, and low-carbon performance in buildings.
Heating Solutions: Grid-Ready HVAC at ISH China & CIHE—China International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Sanitation & Home Comfort System
Heating Solutions showcase efficient, low-carbon systems—from heat pumps and wall-hung boilers to smart heating and thermal storage—that can participate in demand response and grid services. By pairing intelligent controls with high-efficiency equipment, buildings become flexible energy assets that support smart grid goals.
Key Benefits
- Wide array of electrified and smart heating technologies aligned with grid flexibility objectives.
- Interoperable controls enable demand response participation and optimised energy use.
- Direct connections to global manufacturers and solution providers for project delivery.
Considerations
- Evaluating system integration and interoperability may require detailed technical assessment.
- Rapid innovation cycles can necessitate continuous training and updates.
Why It's Essential
- Heating technologies are central to decarbonising buildings and enabling grid-interactive, flexible demand.
Energy Solutions
Smart grid enablers: renewable energy, energy and heat storage, hydrogen, solar, biomass, meters and integrated energy management for reliable, low-carbon power.
Energy Solutions: Smart Grid and Sustainability at ISH China & CIHE—China International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Sanitation & Home Comfort System
Energy Solutions highlight the technologies underpinning smart grids: advanced meters and measurement, integrated energy management platforms, energy and heat storage, and renewable options including solar, hydrogen, and biomass. Together, these solutions improve grid stability, flexibility, and decarbonisation pathways.
Key Benefits
- Cutting-edge storage, metering, and energy management systems for grid reliability and efficiency.
- Actionable insights into integrating renewables and DER with utility and building systems.
- Networking with pioneers accelerating low-carbon, digital energy transitions.
Considerations
- Some solutions require specialised expertise to assess interoperability and lifecycle costs.
- Initial investments can be high, though total cost of ownership often declines with scale.
Why It's Essential
- It provides the building blocks for resilient, data-driven, and low-carbon power systems.
Water Solutions
Core infrastructure for efficient water management: pumps, pipes, valves, and drainage—supporting smart buildings and sustainable utility operations.
Water Solutions: Reliable Infrastructure at ISH China & CIHE—China International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Sanitation & Home Comfort System
Water Solutions deliver the essential components—pumps, pipes, fittings, and intelligent valves—for efficient water supply and drainage in buildings and districts. With growing emphasis on smart metering and system optimisation, reliable water infrastructure complements grid-aware building operations.
Key Benefits
- High-quality components for durable, efficient water networks.
- Showcases water-saving and smart monitoring technologies for operational efficiency.
- Robust sourcing opportunities for plumbing, sanitation, and utility projects.
Considerations
- Complex specifications can require deep technical review and standards compliance.
- Regulatory frameworks differ by region and must be carefully navigated.
Why It's Essential
- Dependable water infrastructure underpins sustainable, smart building and district operations.
Comfort Solutions
Integrated indoor environment systems—fresh air, purification, and five-constant controls—enabling healthy spaces and grid-responsive building operation.
Comfort Solutions: Healthy, Grid-Responsive Spaces at ISH China & CIHE—China International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Sanitation & Home Comfort System
Comfort Solutions deliver superior indoor air quality and environmental control through five-constant and multi-coupled systems, fresh air, and water/air purification. With smart controls, these systems can align comfort with energy efficiency and participate in demand response strategies.
Key Benefits
- Holistic solutions for indoor air quality, health, and comfort with smart optimisation.
- Advanced ventilation and purification technologies for diverse building types.
- Pathways to integrate comfort with energy-saving and load-flexibility objectives.
Considerations
- Design and commissioning complexity can increase integration effort and timelines.
- Benefits may require data-driven tuning to fully realise performance gains.
Why It's Essential
- It elevates occupant well-being while enabling smart, energy-aware building operations.
Smart Grid Exhibition and ISH China & CIHE Sections: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to navigate the Smart Grid Exhibition within ISH China & CIHE and identify sections most relevant to your business objectives across grid and HVAC domains.
| Section No. | Exhibition Section | Key Focus | Key Products | Target Visitor | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smart Grid Exhibition | Grid Modernisation & Flexibility | Microgrids, Smart Meters, DER Integration, Demand Response | Utilities, Grid Operators, Policymakers, Researchers | Resilient, efficient, low-carbon grids |
| 2 | Heating Solutions | Energy Efficiency & Comfort | Boilers, Heat Pumps, Smart Heating, etc. | Manufacturers, Installers, Developers | Sustainable heating innovations |
| 3 | Energy Solutions | Renewable & Storage | Solar, Hydrogen, Heat Storage, Biomass, etc. | Green Tech Innovators, Policy Makers | Future-proof energy systems |
| 4 | Water Solutions | Plumbing & Sanitation | Pumps, Pipes, Valves, Drainage, etc. | Engineers, Contractors, Plumbers | Reliable water infrastructure |
| 5 | Comfort Solutions | Indoor Environment Quality | Five-constant System, Fresh Air, Water/Air Purification, etc. | Architects, Designers, Homeowners | Enhanced living environments |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Smart Grid Exhibition
The Smart Grid Exhibition is a key feature of ISH China & CIHE showcasing technologies that enhance electricity distribution and grid management, including energy storage microgrids, smart metering, demand response, and DER integration. In recent years, ISH China & CIHE is widely regarded as the most extensive HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning), plumbing, and home comfort trade show in Asia, making it an ideal platform to connect power-system innovation with building-sector demand flexibility.
Over 60 concurrent events span Interactive Forums, Solutions Seminars, Marketing Sessions, and Industry Awards. Highlights include the China International Zero Carbon Heating Congress and the China International HVAC Congress (iHVAC), covering topics such as energy storage, demand response, DER integration, urban renewal, and sustainable development. The 2025 edition also established the ISH China & CIHE Heat Pump Innovation Award.