Heating and cooling contribute a large share of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, therefore a "just transition" in the context of heat decarbonization aims to ensure that the shift to low-carbon heating systems benefits everyone and doesn't disproportionately burden vulnerable populations or industries. This year there are more heat sessions in the main conference at All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference (SEC Glasgow 14-15 May) than ever before – one with a political keynote address from Scotland’s Acting Climate Action Minister.
Registration is at https://www.all-energy.co.uk/PR and is free for all with relevant business or academic interests. Once registered, visitors can take advantage of the All-Energy App, which is ready to download and use. It can be used to browse the full exhibitor directory (over 300 organisations from 17 countries will be taking part), and all main conference and show floor theatre programmes, special features and networking facilities. These networking facilities can be used to browse profiles, send messages and request meetings as well as checking the ‘What’s On’ facility for a variety of events and opportunities.
The first heat session in the main conference on 14 May, looks at ‘Scotland’s Heat Transition’ explaining that: “Our homes and workplaces account for around a fifth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and eliminating these by 2045 will be immensely challenging. This session brings together speakers from across sectors to discuss how we can decarbonise heat from Scotland’s buildings, so they are warmer, greener and more efficient. “
There will be a Ministerial address by Scotland’s Acting Minister for Climate Action Dr Alasdair Allan MSP; then, chaired by Jennifer Arran, Head of Residential Energy at LCP Delta a panel comprised of Kerry Alexander, Director – Infrastructure Finance and Programmes from the Scottish Futures Trust; Robin Parker, Mission Manager (A Sustainable Future), from Nesta Scotland Rob McGaughey, Head of Smart Cities and Heating at ScottishPower and Andrew Kubski, Director of Property Services, River Clyde Homes will share their views and discuss key points and the answers to audience questions.
Next on the agenda is ‘A Heat Network in Every Scottish City - Vision to Reality’ which takes the view that Scotland needs to urgently change how it heats its cities and towns to meet the Scottish Government’s target of decarbonising heat by 2045.
In November 2024, Scottish Renewables (who created the session) published their report National Heat Networks: A Vision for Scotland, setting out the key actions needed from the Scottish and UK Governments to establish city-wide heat networks across Scotland. “In this session, you will hear from policymakers and stakeholders shaping the future of heat networks about how we can turn this vision into reality”, they explain. Morag Watson of Scottish Renewables will chair the discussion which sees Paul Steen, Head of Business Development at Vattenfall, Iain Ward, Director EHeat Networks, at ScottishPower and James Hemphill, Head of Heat Networks Policy Unit in the Scottish Government taking part and looking forward to questions from the audience.
The third session in the stream is devoted to ‘Geothermal – Ready to bridge the renewables gap’. Edinburgh-based geothermal consultancy TownRock explain: “Geothermal energy is gaining global traction as a renewable energy source that has cross-party support. Technology and project developers, especially in the USA and China, as well as Germany and other European countries, are racing ahead by raising vast sums of investment and receiving helpful policy support.
“In the UK things are slowly gaining momentum, especially for heat production, but also with the UK’s first geothermal power plant coming online in Cornwall where geothermal waters are also rich in lithium. In this session, we have brought together leaders from business and public sector to share expertise across this exciting and growing area of work, to show how geothermal is ready to deploy now to bridge the renewable energy gap.”
The final heat session in the main conference ‘Manufacturing Opportunities in Clean Heat and Retrofit’, held in association with Scottish Enterprise, NMIS, PNDC, SMAS, and key manufacturers Mitsubishi and Star Refrigeration involving eight speakers chaired by Doreen Reid, Team Leader, Scottish Enterprise, comes with an invitation to “Join this Team Scotland event to explore exciting new manufacturing opportunities in the rapidly growing clean heat sector.”
“Decarbonising heat presents a multi-billion-pound market for Scotland, and this event will show you how to capitalise on it. Learn about the specific components needed for heat pumps, heat networks, energy-efficient buildings and associated technologies, and discover how to leverage your existing skills to enter this growing market. This will be a rare opportunity to listen to manufacturers and network with all the support available in the one room.”
That’s not where the learning opportunities end, far from it. The Dcarbonise show floor theatre programme features nearly 20 dedicated heat presentations during the course of the two days.
All-Energy’s headline sponsor, Shepherd and Wedderburn, celebrates its 11th year in the role; other sponsors include Noventa, Hitachi Energy UK, Statkraft, SEFC, Black & Veatch, SGS, Flexitricity, AMSC, XING Mobility Inc and the University of Sheffield. Glasgow Convention Bureau is All-Energy’s official partner; and The Society for Underwater Technology is its Learned Society Patron. All combine to make this year’s show, set right in the middle of Glasgow’s Climate Week, and during Glasgow’s 850 year celebrations, a very special two days.