Modelled on the successful UK conference and exhibition, All-Energy UK, All-Energy 09 featured impressive keynote speakers including government ministers, international industry experts and clean energy investor heavyweights, along with an 87-strong exhibition, and a number of vibrant networking opportunities. The conference was sponsored by the Victorian State Government, along with industry support.

The key themes emerging from the conference during the two day event included the need for long-term policy thinking to sustain the clean energy industry, strategies to drive private investment in emerging technologies, and the complementary role multiple energy solutions will play in overcoming the challenges posed by the world’s changing energy needs.

Conference

Day 1 kicked off with the Ministerial Plenary session, opened by Peter Batchelor, Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources. Mr Batchelor emphasised the government’s investment in Carbon Capture and Storage technology, as well as its support for ‘emerging’ technologies such as solar, geothermal and wave energy.

Bridget Brill, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Climate Change, followed Mr Batchelor. Ms Brill spoke about the barriers to the uptake of energy efficiency in Australia, and the ways these were being met through government initiatives. Ms Brill also mentioned the Federal Government’s proposed Smart Grid Smart City initiative, guidelines for which were released last week.

Drew Clarke, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, spoke about the future of power generation in a carbon constrained economy. He summed up his thoughts on the changing role of renewable energy when he said “So what does the future of clean energy look like? We’re about to find out.”

Olivier Drücke, President of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation spoke about the growth of solar thermal energy in Europe, and it was clear that Australia can learn a lot from the European experience.

Day 1 also saw in-depth discussion around the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and solar power systems. Clean Energy Council (CEC) CEO Matthew Warren spoke about the dangers of relying on the success of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) to promote clean energy, as well as the need to guarantee returns on renewable energy investments.

Marianne Lourey, Executive Director – Energy Sector Development Division, Department of Primary industries, discussed the balancing act of achieving all government objectives in relation to energy, which include security, reliability, safety, sustainability, as well as affordability.

Kane Thornton, Senior Policy Advisor at Hydro Tasmania, shared his insights into the renewable energy industry, saying there would be a push for the RET to be increased to more than 20 per cent.

Following these presentations, questions were put to the speakers by delegates. Asked about the price of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the RET, Mr Warren said that the issue of phantom RECs created by the REC multiplier would only be addressed once it became a material issue.

He added that the CEC would be monitoring this and posting updates on their website.

Like the RET discussions, the solar power systems presentations were highly popular, with standing room only for late comers.

Professor Ray Wills, CEO of the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association, chaired the clean energy industry development stream, which included a presentation by Morag McCorkindale from the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group. Introducing Ms McCorkindale, Professor Wills recalled the enthusiasm for the renewable energy that he had observed when he attended the All-Energy conference this year in Aberdeen, a level of enthusiasm he said was not yet present in Australia.

Oliver Richards, Director of Carbon Markets at the Department of Climate Change, informed delegates of the proposed mechanics of the CPRS, emphasising that the key to the scheme is flexibility.

On Day 2 of the conference, the clean tech streams focused on geothermal, wind and marine energy systems. Australian Geothermal Energy Association CEO Susan Jeanes chaired an informative session on geothermal potential and projects in Australia, while Hayden Marcollo, Manager of research and development at AMOG consulting, spoke frankly about the lessons that can be learnt from the oil industry, and the way forward for wave power.

Business and investment round table

The main focus of Day 2, however, was investment in clean energy. Sessions during the morning set the tone for the very popular afternoon plenary panel session on business and investment, which was chaired by award-winning ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien.

The panel consisted of eight experts on clean technology investment, including Jan Dekker, the Principal of Cleantech Ventures, and Austrade National Industry Manager for Clean Energy and Environment Kerry Roonie. Lisa Wade from venture capital investor ArkX Equity Partners said that the risk profile in Australia is too great for significant investment, and that strong government policy plays a huge role for investors in creating certainty.

This sentiment was echoed by the other panellists during the session, including Steve Gibbs, from the Investor Group on Climate Change, who said that “frustrated” was a good description for how his company had been feeling about clean energy policy in Australia.

Other issues discussed included the attractiveness of energy efficiency as an investment option. Discussion centred on key points, including the swifter payback period on investments; the potential for the clean tech industry to culminate in a ‘bubble’ similar to the dot.com experience; the outcomes of the passing of an emissions trading scheme in Australia; and the merits of clean coal technologies.

Exhibition

The All-Energy exhibition featured a wide range of Australian and international companies, including clean energy technology development companies, manufactures, distributors and suppliers, consultants, universities, investors, and industry associations.

Over 80 exhibitors engaged with delegates and forged new relationships with business partners over the two day event. New products were on show, and the large exhibition hall filled with animated discussion during the conference breaks.

Social networking

The grand networking evening went off with a bang at the end of the first day. A live band, casino-style games and plenty to talk about from the day’s program ensured delegates and exhibitors alike had a chance to relax in style.