Last week saw the attendance record at the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon exhibition and conference All-Energy, and the co-located Dcarbonise 2024, at Glasgow’s SEC, smashed by a staggering 21%.

“In 2023 we had total attendance of 9,706 – a new record, but this year, on 15 and 16 May, that was well and truly beaten by the close of play figure of 11,736,” explained Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director at RX Global, who own and organise the duo of events “We knew before the show had opened that we were well on target for a new record, but never in our wildest dreams did we expect a 21% increase over last year’s figure. It’s a testament to both the growth in the industry and how the combined event is valued by those who benefit from participating. This year registrations came from 80 countries.

“The increase in attendance was reflected by packed aisles, conference halls and show floor theatres (between them they boasted over 600 speakers during the two days) and smiles and congratulations in plenty from our 270 exhibiting organisations, many of whom have already re-booked for 2025’s silver anniversary event being held at SEC on 14 and 15 May. Exhibitors came from all over the UK and Northern Ireland, and also from the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the USA.

“We have often referred to the show as ‘busy and buzzing’. This year the sense of business being done, and the incredible buzz outclassed anything heard in the show’s 24 -year history. The world class conference programme with stellar line-ups in 57 sessions looking at policy, ambitions, challenges, opportunities and innovative solutions across renewable power, low carbon heat and low carbon transport is undoubtedly one of the industry’s biggest free of charge conferences seen anywhere in the world, something we are hugely proud to deliver.

“The Lomond Auditorium was packed to hear opening morning speakers including the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Màiri McAllan MSP; Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President, Europe and Head of Country, bp; Adam Morrison, UK Country Manager for Ocean Winds; Emma Pinchbeck, CEO, Energy UK; along with All-Energy stalwarts, the Rt Hon Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, and Councillor Susan Aitken, The Leader of Glasgow City Council all expertly chaired by Dame Susan Rice, Chair of Forth Green Freeports. And, with video contributions from Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero; and was just as packed for the first offshore wind session. It was equally packed for the offshore wind session that immediately followed the opening plenary session.

“With the ’Great Grid Upgrade’ in mind, we devoted more time to grid and networks than ever before and the 400-seater room dedicated to that was crammed to the proverbial gunwales for many sessions; hydrogen and energy storage – as always – attracted large numbers; as did so many of our sessions on all forms of renewables and on the decarbonisation of the built environment, heat, transport, cities/places and industry.”

The eight show floor theatres providing bite-size chunks of free learning involved another 250+ speakers and covered offshore wind, marine renewable energy, hydrogen and energy storage, future talent, community and local energy, research and innovation, and decarbonising hat, the built environment and transport also drew high numbers. So too did the Civic Reception and Giant Networking evening at Glasgow Science Centre.

Mr Heastie explained: “Networking is key to All-Energy, and the Centre, with its interactive exhibits, provides a relaxed and fascinating venue at which the conversations started on stands or as the result of conference sessions can be caried on as well as providing a chance for meeting up with old friends and making new acquaintances. We are grateful to the Rt Hon the Lord Provost of Glasgow for the Civic Reception and to Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa for their sponsorship of this important aspect of All-Energy and Dcarbonise.”

He added: “Naturally I would like to thank exhibitors, speakers, chairs and sponsors for their commitment to the show; and also, the visitors who came in their thousands. This year I would particularly like to thank Shepherd and Wedderburn who celebrated their tenth anniversary of becoming our Headline Sponsor. They bring a wealth of knowledge and some highly relevant conference sessions too, and so it is very much a win:win situation for our two organisations; long may the relationship continue.”

All-Energy and Dcarbonise 2025 will be held 14 and15 May at Glasgow’s SEC. Further information is available from www.all-energy.co.uk

Màiri McAllan MSP, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy is set to deliver a keynote address at All-Energy and the co-located Dcarbonise 2024 next week (15-16 May) at Glasgow’s SEC. Last year’s record-breaking edition attracted 9,706 attendees, and records look set to be broken this year.

“We are delighted by this news and look forward to welcoming the Cabinet Secretary to her first All-Energy and Dcarbonise the UK’s largest low carbon energy and full supply chain renewables event,” said Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director Energy & Marine at RX Global who own and organise the duo of events.

“She will be speaking in the opening plenary session chaired by Dame Susan Rice DBE FRSE, Chair of Forth Green Freeport and in which her fellow speakers are the Lord Provost of Glasgow; Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President, Europe and Head of Country, bp; Husain Al Meer, Director, Global Offshore Wind & UK, Masdar; Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive, Energy UK and Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council.

“Unable to join us in person, both Jim Skea, Chair of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho MP are contributing videos to the session.”

Later in the morning and following meetings with key stakeholders, the Cabinet Secretary will tour the exhibition with its 270 exhibitors from home and overseas who are showcasing the latest technologies, services and advice needed to ensure the UK’s green ambitions can be delivered, and net zero engineered.

Following the plenary session the conference breaks into 11 parallel tracks with similarly stellar line-ups looking at the latest challenges, opportunities and innovative solutions across all forms of renewable power, the grid and networks -  with an eye on ‘The Great Grid Upgrade’, low carbon heat, low carbon transport and the decarbonisation of industry and of cities/places..

The main world-class conference comprises 55 sessions over the two days delivered by more than 360 speakers. Eight ‘quick fire’ show floor theatres featuring some 250+ speakers covering offshore wind, marine renewables, hydrogen and energy storage, future talent, community energy, research and innovation, and decarbonising heat, the built environment and transport; and Academic Posters prepared by up to 40 academics complete the picture

“That’s not where it ends, networking plays an enormous role at the duo of shows,” explained Mr Heastie. The Giant Networking Evening, sponsored by Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa and incorporating the Civic Reception, courtesy of the Rt Hon the Lord Provost of Glasgow provides a brilliant opportunity at Glasgow Science Centre, to relax after a busy day whilst catching up with friends old and new. Registration for all the component parts is free of charge to all with relevant business or academic interests, and at www.all-energy.co.uk.”

He added: “We are honoured to have been helping the UK low carbon and renewable energy value chain to engineer a net zero future since 2001 and look forward to continuing that key role this year for what we expect to be another record attendance.”

Further information on the event whose headline sponsor is Shepherd and Wedderburn is at www.all-energy.co.uk including the full conference and show floor theatre programmes, the exhibitor list and features and visits that can be made relating to Glasgow Climate Week and other unmissable activities.

The duo of events being held on 15 and 16 May at Glasgow’s SEC – All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference, and the co-located Dcarbonise – have long been recognised for stellar conference line-ups; and this year’s event from the opening plenary session through 56 other conference sessions  and eight show floor theatres is certainly no exception.

They range, with input from some 360 speakers in the main conference, from diving deep into every form of renewable energy applicable in the UK, to grid and networks modernisation and expansion; and the hydrogen transition to energy storage; from community engagement and benefits; to those living and working on a daily basis with solving the challenges of decarbonisation of the built environment, heat, cities/places, industry, and transport.

There are also sessions devoted to Glasgow Climate Week, investment, cyber security, the supply chain; PPAs, skills and training, clean tech; regulations; energy systems, energy demand reduction; circularity in the energy industry; and even a lunchtime fireside chat between two legends of offshore energy activity.

“The speakers on Day 1 include Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Net Zeo and Energy, Màiri McAllan MSP; Patrick Child, Deputy Director General of the European Commission’s DG Environment; Tim Pick MBE, Chair Offshore Wind Growth Partnership and former UK Offshore Wind Champion; Danielle Lane, Director of Offshore Development UK and Ireland, RWE; Laura Fleming, CEO, Hitachi Energy UK and Ireland, and those are just some of the speakers in the first two sessions,” explained Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director, RX Global who own and organise the duo of events.

“Well-known names later on the 15^th in our 11 conference halls include Benj Sykes, Vice President, Offshore. Head of Environment, Consenting & External Affairs at Ørsted and President of the Society for Underwater Technology, our Learned Society Patron; Susie Lind, Managing Director, BlueFloat Energy | Renantis Partnership;  Eleanor Warburton, Director of Energy Systems Management & Security, Ofgem; Professor Keith Bell, Scottish Power Professor of Future Power Systems, University of Strathclyde; and Julian Leslie, Strategic Energy Planning Director, National Grid ESO.

“We are delighted to also welcome Scott Mathieson, Network Planning & Regulation Director, SP Energy Networks; Chris Burchell, Managing Director, SSEN Distribution; Robin Tayal, Investment Director, Scottish National Investment Bank; Lindsay McQuade of Amazon; Professor Deborah Greaves of University of Plymouth, and the Supergen ORE Hub.

“We also have renowned Chairs on Day 1, including Dame Susan Rice, Chair of Forth Green Freeport for the opening plenary session and Clare Foster, Head of Clean Energy at our Headline Sponsor, Shepherd and Wedderburn; and Lawrence Slade, CEO of the Energy Networks Association. The list of luminaries is seemingly endless!

“That’s before you start poring over the programmes for the eight show floor theatres, with more than 260 speakers over the two days. Wednesday’s quick fire programmes look at offshore wind; hydrogen and energy storage; community and local energy; future talent - with success stories and inspirational thoughts on skills and training; and heat, built environment and transport decarbonisation (with a theatre for each of the three topics); and research and innovation. In addition some 40 academics will be with us to talk about posters on display depicting their latest work….. what a line up, I can only urge you to look to register to attend at www.all-energy.co.uk; upload the All-Energy App and investigate it all for yourself!”

Attendance is free of charge to all with relevant business and academic interests and covers all component parts of the event, the major exhibition with some 270 exhibitors from home and overseas; the conference and show floor theatres; and the Civic Reception that forms part of the Giant Networking evening at the Glasgow Science Centre.

What can you see a All-Energy

Mr Heastie continues: “Today is build up day, throughout the day exhibitors are unboxing and unwrapping their exhibits  and turning their stands into a reflection of their solutions be they products or expertise.

“Today sees some of the most eye catching exhibits making an entrance into SEC’s halls. The vehicles range from the very large such as hybrid road gritter and an electric rubbish collection vehicle both from Glasgow City Council through to conventional EVs and even a quadracycle, plus the body of the Strathclyde University entry for the Shell Eco-marathon (two more universities entering this year’s event will also be on that stand). TUV’s exhibits will include a portable test facility for hydrogen refuelling stations.

“The mobile heat pump training unit from ESP and the Energy Saving Trust will be making its first appearance at All-Energy and Dcarbonise. The fully equipped classroom travels to rural and remote areas of Scotland to deliver certified heat pump training. It can provide additional support for colleges and be an upskilling resource for industry..

“The Hydrogen showcase is always like an Aladdin’s cave of fascinating exhibits and it is not until the end of build-up day that lists of what is en route turn into a true picture of what is on display there, it very much ‘the gift that keeps giving’. One fascinating area is going to be PlusZero’s simulated building site showing how hydrogen can increasingly be used in that environment.”

Moving away from hydrogen to tidal power, Orbital Marine Power will exhibit the latest model of their device; and wave power developers CorPower will showcase a ¼ scale buoy. They will also have a VR set available where visitors can “ can go inside the Wave Energy Converter to better understand how it works as well as how it will be serviced and maintained”.

Further information and special events/tours

Further information on the event whose headline sponsor is Shepherd and Wedderburn is at www.all-energy.co.uk including the full conference and show floor theatre programmes, the exhibitor list and features and visits that can be made relating to Glasgow Climate Week AT www.all-energy.co.uk/en-gb/whats-on/glasgow-climate-week-events.html that include the OEUK Wind Insight Breakfast Briefing at All-Energy on 15 May and post All-Energy visits to the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre; the Queens Quay Energy Centre ;and SWG3’s Body Heat Project on Friday 17 May.

Today (1 May 2024) marks a real milestone for All-Energy and Dcarbonise 2024. It is only a fortnight until the doors at Glasgow’s SEC open (15 and 16 May) on the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference and the co-located event aimed at helping private and public sector energy end-users in their decarbonisation plans for building, business and transportation. And, importantly it marks a real milestone in the show’s evolution.

“This year’s All-Energy and Dcarbonise is back bigger, better and brimming with more free networking, knowledge and technology to help us engineer a net zero future together,” explained Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director Energy & Marine at RX Global who own and organise both events. “Last year’s record-breaking edition attracted 9,706 attendees. This year we expect to break more records and deliver even greater value.

“Visitors will be able to find the latest technologies, services and advice from the 270 exhibiting organisations from home and overseas; attend the world-class conference with its stellar line-up looking at the latest challenges, opportunities and innovative solutions across renewable power, low carbon heat, energy efficiency and low carbon transport. There are 55 sessions in the main conference delivered by over 350 speakers – a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the industry. Add in eight ‘Quick Fire’ show floor theatres and academic posters and the number count of speakers rises to over 600.

All with relevant business or academic interests can register at www.all-energy.co.uk/24 – all the component parts of the event are free of charge to attend - the exhibition, the main conference, the show floor theatres, the Civic Reception and Giant Networking Evening – the former with thanks to The Rt Hon The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the latter sponsored by Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa.

Mr Heastie added: “We’ve reached a Red-Letter Day today with our All-Energy App going live. That is not unusual, but this year the App is a vital milestone in our own decarbonisation plans, for there will be no printed catalogue at our duo of shows. RX Global is proud to be a founding member of the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge, a global collaboration which was launched by the events industry in November 2021 at COP 26 in Glasgow, and we have strong targets at which to aim. The link to the App is at www.all-energy.co.uk/en-gb/visit/ae-app.html

“The App’s features mean that within a pocket, or handbag, there is the power to browse the exhibitor directory and use the interactive floorplan with its Wayfinding ability. You can instantly find conference sessions that add value to your experience – you can search on sessions or speaker and find where they will be and when. During conference sessions you can ask questions of them thanks to Slido on the App.  What’s more, you can also meet and network, using it check out where and when features such as the Giant Networking Evening are taking place and log favourite exhibitors, sessions and speakers in your personal plan.

Mr Heastie went on to say: “I would like to particularly thank Shepherd and Wedderburn who are celebrating their 10^th year of Headline Sponsorship and who have brought us some highly thought provoking and relevant sessions in the offshore wind, cities/places decarbonisation conference streams, and also one session on regulations’ role and another on clean tech.

“We are honoured to have been helping the UK low carbon and renewable energy value chain to engineer a net zero future since 2001 and look forward to continuing that key role this year for what we expect to be another record attendance.”

Registration for All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon exhibition and conference, and the co-located Dcarbonise is now open at www.all-energy.co.uk/24. All elements of the two-day event running at Glasgow’s SEC on 15 and 16 May (major exhibition, multi-streamed conference and Civic Reception and Giant Networking Evening) are free to attend for those with relevant business or academic interests. The 2023 edition of the annual series attracted total attendance of 9,706 – a 27% increase on the 2022 figure.

“Politicians, industry leaders, working engineers and academic specialists abound in the stellar line-up of some 600+ speakers over the two days. All are working towards a single target – engineering a net zero future,” explained Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director Energy & Marine, RX Global, who own and organise the duo of co-located events.

“They range from Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, and Energy Minister, Gillian Martin (making a welcome return to the event at which they both spoke soon after the First Minister’s appointment last year) to a wide range of experts. These include Professor Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); Louise Kingham CBE, FEI, Senior Vice President, Europe and Head of Country at bp, Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive, Energy UK and Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Energy UK&I and Siemens Gamesa UK amongst speakers in our two opening plenary sessions.

“In response to many requests, we will be devoting more time to the grid with five conference sessions in a dedicated room – the session topics can be seen on our outline programme at www.all-energy.co.uk/24 Excitingly, we will also be hosting a lunchtime ‘fireside chat’ on 16 May between two Knights who have helped shape the energy industry, Professor Sir Jim McDonald and Sir Ian Wood,

“As ever our duo of events encompasses topics ranging from offshore wind (and all other forms of renewable energy, with tidal range having a full session for the first time), hydrogen and energy storage to the decarbonisation of the built environment, heat; cities/places, and to transport – with HGVs and Energy Infrastructure in the conference spotlight - and so much more ranging from finance and funding to community benefit, PPAs to future talent..

“Our headline sponsor Shepherd and Wedderburn, celebrating their 10^th sponsoring year with us, is bringing together sessions on ‘Delivering our offshore wind ambitions’ to ‘Maps, money and multiple benefits: City scale decarbonisation’; a session on ports to ‘Innovation in Clean Tech: How are we shaping the future?’ which demonstrates their (and our) wide range of interests – all. of course, with line-ups of luminaries.”

The full programme for the multi-session main conference and the nine show floor theatres will be published in the first half of March,

Turning his attention to the exhibition, Jonathan Heastie explained: “Our exhibitor list already resembles a ‘who’s who’, and A-Z of organisations from throughout the sectors we serve including ABB, Centrica Energy, Clarke Energy, Ecotricity,  EDF Energy, Enercon, GE Renewable Energy, Invest Northern Ireland, Muirhall Energy, Natural Power, Parat Halvorsen, Ripple Energy, Siemens Energy/Siemens Gamesa, SmartestEnergy, Statkraft UK, SSE, Xodus, ZX Lidars. Recent additions include Business France, Czech Trade and the HY5 -The Green Hydrogen Initiative of Northern Germany who join individual exhibitors from Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and Norway, as well as throughout the UK.

Full information for potential exhibitors is at www.all-energy.co.uk/24 All-Energy takes pride in being the UK’s largest low carbon energy and full supply chain renewables event; while Dcarbonise is aimed at private and public sector energy end users.

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 Jonathan Heastie. “This year our Giant Networking Evening, sponsored by Siemens Energy, and Siemens Gamesa, 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.”