All-Energy 2014, the UK’s largest renewables exhibition and conference, opens tomorrow (Wednesday 21 May) at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre with a plenary session featuring both the Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP, and Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism with other speakers including Rob Cormie, Group Operations Director, UK Green Investment Bank and Angela Knight CBE, Chief Executive of Energy UK.
Later in the day at a ‘lunchtime special’ fireworks will fly when Fergus Ewing will debate the energy outcome of the Scottish independence referendum with Frank Doran MP in a compelling session chaired by Professor Sir Jim McDonald, which is bound to pack out Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre’s Fleming Auditorium.
Speakers in the second day plenary session on 22 May include Peter Boyd, the Chief Operating Officer of the Carbon War Room the global nonprofit, founded by Sir Richard Branson and a team of like-minded entrepreneurs, that accelerates the adoption of business solutions that reduce carbon emissions at gigaton scale and advance the low-carbon economy. The organisation focuses on solutions that can be realised using proven technologies under current policy landscapes. Note to Editors: Sir Richard Branson was due to also speak at All-Energy at 15:00 on 22 May live from the island of Necker the time is having to be changed at his request – further information will appear on the All-Energy website
Throughout the two days of the show some 350+ speakers will delve into all sectors making up the renewables industry and discuss and debate the key issues whether technological – a whole 105-minute session is devoted to floating wind; or the equally important ‘building blocks’ of policy (including EMR and CfD), grid, finance and funding, and skills. Sessions are also devoted to topics as important as renewables for the farming community, community energy, business energy efficiency, and microgeneration/onsite renewables.
Eight technical parallel streams will run on both days, as well as the All-Energy Share Fair which aims to help stakeholders understand where they stand in the supply chain and how to attract business. Five show-floor seminar programmes – the DECC-sponsored renewable heat theatre; and business energy efficiency (21 May), community energy (11 May), offshore wind including O&M, and wave and tidal all sponsored by ABB – will provide quick-fire presentations.
All is set against the background of the UK’s largest exhibition devoted to all forms of renewable and sustainable energy, with one of the hydrogen buses from the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project outside the entrance as a strong message about what the future holds in store.
“We’ve a compelling two days lined up for the industry,” says Jonathan Heastie, Event Director of Reed Exhibitions. “Bringing together all the renewable energy sectors, each year All-Energy provides an unparalleled opportunity to see the latest cutting edge solutions, hear about policy and technology developments, source new partners and suppliers, participate in networking events – particularly the All-Energy Giant Networking Evening, and keep up-to-date with developments within the industry. What’s more, all elements of All-Energy are free to attend for all with a business/ professional interest in renewables and business energy efficiency.”