It’s Gala Year in Glasgow as it celebrates 850 years since the city gained Burgh status in 1175. It is 10 years since All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference took up residence in Glasgow at the SEC, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. What’s more, All-Energy’s headline sponsor, Shepherd and Wedderburn, celebrates its 11th year in that role. All will combine to make this year’s show on 14 and 15 May, in the middle of Glasgow Climate Week, a very special two days.
Registration has opened today (10 February) at https://www.all-energy.co.uk/25 and is free to all with relevant business, governmental and academic interests. It includes admission to the major exhibition conference and Civic Reception that is an integral part of the Giant Networking Evening
“Records tumbled last year, and we are looking forward to more of the same this year”, explained Event Manager, Anam Khan of RX who own and organise the annual event. “Our total attendance rose by 21% to 11,736, with people from 80 countries. The exhibition with its 270 exhibitors received plaudits in plenty, as did the main conference and show floor theatre programmes in which around 600 speakers took part.
“We are delighted Acting Climate Action Minister, Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, will be delivering a keynote address in the session devoted to ‘Scotland’s Heat Transition’.“ Other speakers over the two days include Chris Stark CBE, Head of Mission Control, at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ); Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower; Tom Glover, UK Country Chair, RWE Dhara Vyas, Chief Executive, Energy UK, Darren Davidson, Vice President, Siemens Energy UK&I and Siemens Gamesa UK; and Jonathan Cole, Chair of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
This year is proving exceptional for the exhibition, over 80% of the available space is reserved; and SEC’s Hall 3 being used for the first time for additional stand space and so that a large theatre can be built for Grid and Networks conference content . The creation of 57 thought-provoking conference sessions is well underway for the main conference and seven show floor theatres. It is evident that the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, a government plan to generate at least 95% of Great Britain's electricity from clean sources by 2030, is acting as an incentive to get things moving.
Anam Khan adds: “I would particularly like to thank Shepherd and Wedderburn for their continuing support for the show as our Headline Sponsor. Not only do they exhibit, but they take a very active conference role. Each year they sponsor and create four thought-provoking sessions that demonstrate the breadth of All-Energy. This year these cover the scene setting opening offshore wind conference session, , the ports session, the onshore planning session - a new topic reflecting current government action, and cities decarbonisation.”
When registering visitors see the long list of existing exhibitors with more being added all the time. They will also get a feel for the overall content of the conference thanks to descriptive paragraphs relating to stream and session titles.
These cover all forms of renewable energy; grid and networks; hydrogen and energy storage; skills and recruitment; finance and investment; energy trading and more; plus the decarbonisation of heat, transport, cities, and industry. And, this year also include sessions on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I); mental health; and a young people’s panel.
There are seven show floor theatres - FutureGrid; Offshore and Onshore wind; Hydrogen and Energy Storage; Marine Renewables and FLOW (floating offshore wind); The ‘Dcarbonise Theatre (focussing on the decarbonisation of heat, the built environment, transport and industry); Future Talent; and the Insight Energy Theatre designed as the home for innovative renewable energy solutions.
As ever a centrally placed display of Academic Posters will provide food for thought. The call for abstracts for this feature is open at https://www.all-energy.co.uk/25 until 20 April.
Networking is key
“Visiting exhibition stands to see the latest innovative solutions; and the conference to learn, figure highly on the aims of our visitors, and so too does networking,” explained Anam Khan. “Our Giant Networking Evening will once again be held at the Glasgow Science Centre where the hundreds of interactive exhibits help to provide an enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere to ensure productive networking. We are grateful to the Rt Hon Lord Provost of Glasgow for the Civic Reception that forms part of the vital networking experience.”