All-Energy 2019, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference and the co-located Dcarbonise 2019 held at Glasgow’s SEC last week (15 and 16 May) attracted total attendance of 7,871 an increase of 12% from 2018, 250 exhibiting companies from home and overseas, well over 500 speakers, and plaudits in plenty.
The First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands delivered keynote speeches on consecutive days and both toured the show, starting their tours in Dcarbonise, the Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust and Zero Waste Scotland-sponsored event which has low carbon heat, energy efficiency and low carbon transport as its three vital components.
“The two co-located events complemented each other showcasing their core values in the exhibition and in conference and seminar programmes,” explained Event Director, Jonathan Heastie of Reed Exhibitions who own and organise the annual event. “All-Energy has been serving the needs of the renewable and low carbon energy sectors since 2001, and now we have Dcarbonise championing the end-user in need of cost-effective energy efficiency and low carbon heat solutions in line with the Scottish Government’s ‘Energy Efficient Scotland’ programme.
“Low carbon transport also fitted under the Dcarbonise ‘banner’ and included a hydrogen-powered double-decker bus from Alexander Dennis, a range of low carbon and electric vehicles, a fuel cell range extender, the Shell-sponsored area featuring two of its eco-Marathon teams, our ‘Arrive and Drive’ feature, and in the conference with five 90-minute sessions.
Ministerial addresses – and more
“We were delighted to welcome both the First Minister and Minister Wheelhouse to the show. They made compelling, far-ranging and highly topical keynote addresses, as did other members of our plenary session line-ups, and what they said added to the very tangible mood of optimism and positivity throughout the two days in all areas of the show.
“On Day 1, following the Civic Welcome by The Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow, Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, who also chaired the session, spoke of the need to ‘get real about climate change’, announcing that ScottishPower and Glasgow City Council have combined to transform the city into the UK’s first to deliver net zero carbon emissions. He explained that he was optimistic that the announcement would stimulate a competition between UK cities, for then everyone would be the winner.
“Chris Stark, CEO of the Committee on Climate Change urged policymakers to exhibit huge ambition if the UK is to meet the CCC’s 2050 net zero emissions target, as outlined in the Committee’s report on 2 May. Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council spoke of her city’s achievements and plans, and was followed by Professor Karen Turner, Director of the Centre for Energy Policy (CEP) at Strathclyde University highlighting new research findings that reveal electric vehicle system investment could fuel more than 3,000 new jobs. They spoke to over 600 people in the packed Lomond Auditorium.
“On the second day, following Mr Wheelhouse’s address and Q&A period chaired by Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks, a strong panel of speakers – Matthew Knight, Head of Business Development, Power and Gas, Siemens, who chaired the session; Keith MacLean OBE, Managing Director, Providence Policy; Joanna Coleman OBE, UK Energy Transition Manager, Shell UK; and Angus McIntosh, Director of Energy Futures, SGN – discussed ‘Why might the hydrogen economy finally have its day?’
“This year’s features included the ‘Meet the Developer’ with 1-2-1 meetings for those eager to expand their role in the supply chain; a POWERful Women lunch, sponsored by ScottishPower; six show floor theatres (compared to three in the past) with rolling programmes including the Research Hub enabling academics from eight programmes to present their findings. There was more involvement than ever before from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Innovate UK including eight conference/seminar sessions, a strong presence on the exhibition show floor and an Investor Breakfast; and much more…..including our traditional, and highly enjoyable, Civic Reception and Giant Networking Evening held courtesy of the Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow.
“We are surveying attendees to gather feedback, but it is always a delight to be on the receiving end of post-event emails bringing with them compliments as well as suggestions for areas to be looked at in the future. These include comments such as the following from exhibitors and conference speakers:
- Great networking and conversations were had
- Overall, a great platform for the energy sector
- The exhibition floor was as vibrant as any international conference I’ve been to
- Superb, lively networking space. The key players were all in attendance
- Good plenary sessions, and a wide variety of up-to-the-moment technical talks
- The trade show was easy to navigate – with themed districts co-located
- The Dcarbonise ‘event within an event’ was very effective in providing some much-needed focus to heat/energy efficiency (and transport)
- A great networking opportunity and forum for tackling the great challenges we face
- A great range of topics
- That was such an amazing two days…… that really was the best yet!
“We look forward to continuing feedback from exhibitors, speakers and visitors and to welcoming all of them to the 20th All-Energy and 2nd Dcarbonise on 13 and 14 May at the SEC next year.”
Strong support
Shepherd and Wedderburn was All-Energy’s headline sponsor (other All-Energy sponsors included ScottishPower, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, SP Energy Networks, Black & Veatch, CSWind, Natural Power, Shell, Dieselec Thistle Generators, and Schneider Electric). All-Energy is supported by a long list of trade associations, government departments, professional bodies and learned societies, and is held in association with the Renewable Energy Association; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Scottish Enterprise; UKRI and Innovate UK; Sustainable Glasgow; and the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), with Glasgow as its Host City, and the Society for Underwater Technology as Learned Society Patron.
Dcarbonise was sponsored by the Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust and Zero Waste Scotland, with E.ON as its seminar theatre sponsor.
Information on all aspects of All-Energy and Dcarbonise 2019 is at www.all-energy.co.uk and www.decarbonise.com as is information on exhibiting in 2020. Conference presentations will be online within two weeks enabling those wanting to recapture what they heard, or who missed a session, to catch up free of charge.
ENDS
Captions:
- The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon delivers her keynote address
- The First Minister behind the wheel of the Alexander Dennis double decker hydrogen-powered bus
- Seeing things up close is what exhibitions are all about
Notes to Editors:
All-Energy, the history: All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy and clean growth exhibition and conference has been held annually since 2001; the first SUMS was held in 2017. The first 14 All-Energy events were held in Aberdeen; the show moved to Glasgow in 2015. Dcarbonise, sponsored by the Scottish Government, Energy saving Trust and Zero Waste Scotland was held for the first time in 2019 – it features low carbon heat, energy efficiency and low carbon transport.
Need photographs from 2019?
Please contact Judith Patten @ judithpatten@JPPR.uk.com or phone +44 (0)20 82411912 or head to https://www.flickr.com/photos/allenergy/albums to download those that suit your angle
Interested in becoming a Media Partner for 2020?
Please contact All-Energy/Dcarbonise Marketing Manager Gavin Watson – gavin.watson@reedexpo.co.uk