In 2011, the EcoGen Conference and Exhibition provided a unique forum for Australia’s clean energy industry to come together and connect, joined by key stakeholders from countries such as the United States, China and other nations that are developing clean energy solutions.

Delegates enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere that is now synonymous with EcoGen events, with high level networking functions attended by the who’s who of the clean energy industry.

The best value event in the clean energy calendar, delegates had access to the business and political leaders who shape the future of the clean energy industry – both in Australia, and internationally.

EcoGen 2011 was the first big gathering of industry leaders since the announcement of the Federal Government’s Clean Energy Future carbon pricing package, and a range of political heavyweights – including Australian Greens Deputy Leader Senator Christine Milne, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus, and Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Greg Hunt – provided in-depth analysis and perspective on the pricing mechanism.

“Last year when I spoke with the clean energy industry at the EcoGen Conference, I urged you to get organised and become united, with one voice to get out and make your messages clear,” Senator Milne told delegates.

“Over the past year it’s clear that the industry has become more vocal and connected – now that you are connected at EcoGen 2011, you need to get a whole lot louder to make a difference in the political spectrum.”

Green Energy Trading Director Ric Brazzale, Grattan Institute Research Fellow – Energy Tristan Edis, SKM MMA Principal Consultant Walter Gerardi and Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s Seb Henbest also gave detailed updates on how the carbon pricing mechanism will affect various clean energy sectors.

EcoGen 2011 received strong support and participation from key industry associations, including the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia, the Australian Geothermal Energy Association, the Australian Association for Hydrogen Energy, the Australian Solar Energy Society, the Energy Efficiency Council, Bioenergy Australia and EcoSmart Electricians.

EcoGeneration was an official media partner for EcoGen 2011, on hand to capture all of the breaking news from the three days of the Conference and to speak with businesses and associations at the Exhibition.

The news and views coming out of EcoGen 2011 were also covered by a number of Australian and international media outlets, including Climate Spectator, Energy Matters, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald and the United Kingdom’s The Register.

Queensland, a clean energy hub

Officially opening the EcoGen 2011 Conference, Queensland Energy and Water Utilities Minister Stephen Robertson provided an exclusive update on the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan and the Queensland Government’s vision to work with industry participants to speed up clean energy project deployment.

Mr Robertson also explained how the Federal Government’s Clean Energy Future plan will be implemented at a state level in conjunction with the Queensland Government’s own financial modelling for carbon pricing.

He passionately defended the State’s feed-in tariff system, telling delegates “The Solar Bonus Scheme is one of the most successful of its type – at the end of July 2011, approximately 107,000 Queenslanders were participating in the scheme and eligible to receive our 44 cent net feed-in tariff.”

“We have seen other states take further action to reduce their feed-in tariffs, but we’ve taken the position in Queensland whereby we’re looking at a long-term, sustainable feed-in tariff system,” he said.

“The increase of solar installers from 78 to 900 over the past few years suggests that there are many sustainable jobs to be created in this sector, and we want to ensure they exist for the long term – that is why we will avoid going down the path of collapsing the scheme and causing dislocation amongst that vulnerable part of the economy.

“Any government that doesn’t see the choices that their constituents want to make in accessing cleaner power is somewhat foolish and short-sighted.”

Dr Lorraine Stephenson, Queensland’s new Chief Clean Energy Adviser, and officers from the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and the Queensland Office of Clean Energy chaired several of the Conference sessions, and were available to talk with delegates about existing and future business opportunities to make the most of the State’s clean energy potential.

A spotlight on solar Australia

Photovoltaic (PV) Association Chair Muriel Watt told EcoGen 2011 that Australia has become one of the first countries in the world to reach grid parity for solar power, where the cost to produce energy from rooftop solar PV panels is now the same as electricity purchased from retailers over a 25-year period.

“The current cost of a solar PV module is roughly $1.80 per watt, which equates to approximately 29 cents per kilowatt hour – the current retail electricity price for many Australian households,” Ms Watt said.

“We are reaching the scenarios that we thought wouldn’t happen until we reached 30 per cent [of the market]. The Holy Grail of the industry has been reached.”

EcoGen 2011 delegates found the Conference program to be of a particularly high quality, chiefly as a result of the depth and breadth of specialised knowledge available to attendees about the fastest growing sectors of the industry – highlights included Australian Solar Institute Investment Director Olivia Coldrey and Clean Economy Services Director Wayne Smith, who provided information and advice on attracting investment in large-scale solar projects and other renewable energy technologies.

Local action, global integration

World Bank Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Dan Kammen spoke about the combination of energy security, local development and global integration needed to create environmental and economic sustainability both in Australia and abroad.

“India, China and Brazil are looking for partnerships to build jobs and to build clean energy industries, both financially and technologically,” Mr Kammen said.

“Governments across nations should be co-operating to allow companies to compete in clean energy, and should partner with the corporate sector to engage those companies who aren’t participating in environmental dialogue.”

Citigroup Managing Director and founder of the American Council on Renewable Energy, Mike Eckhart, brought his international expertise to the Conference. Building on Mr Kammen’s presentation, he said that three countries – China, Germany and the United States – constitute 52 per cent of world investment in renewable energy, and added that in the coming decade, adequate financing will be the main issue for clean energy development.

“We in the industry think we’ve got a boom going on, but it’s only going on in a few places,” Mr Eckhart said.

“We need to sell renewable energy on its benefits, and not on a threat, to stand up against the pushback.”

The EcoGen 2011 Conference provided a platform for delegates to receive valuable insights into Australia’s role in a global clean energy economy.

Working towards a cleaner future

EcoGen 2011 attendees met with clean energy leading companies from Australia and overseas to discuss prospects for the 2011-12 financial year for sectors such as solar energy, wind energy and geothermal.

Exhibitors on hand to explain the latest products, services and technologies available to industry participants included:

• Trina Solar
• Aurora
• PowerOne
• Fronius Australia
• SunPower
• LIGHTWAY Australia
• CNPV
• Solar World

BP Solar gave an overview of its outlook for large commercial solar projects in Australia at a special session on the potential for solar PV. BP Solar’s Douglas Smith provided insight into the planning and construction works for its role in the Moree Solar Farm project, to be completed by mid-2012 in conjunction with Pacific Hydro and Fotowatio Renewable Ventures.

Good clean fun

A range of highly engaging social events at EcoGen 2011 provided delegates and exhibitors with unique opportunities to network with new and familiar contacts in clean energy.

The opening night cocktail event sponsored by PowerOne provided a relaxed forum for informal business meetings, while the Great Clean Transport Debate hosted by the GreenCollar Think Tank gave attendees the chance to engage in spirited discussion about the future of sustainable transport.

As at every EcoGen, these social events were the highlight of the clean energy calendar, with a buzzing atmosphere and sold-out attendance.

The EcoGen 2011 Gala Dinner, the clean energy industry’s glamorous night of nights, was held at The Gabba on the second night of the Conference and Exhibition. Featuring comedian Wil Anderson, the Gala event also included the presentation ceremony for the EcoGen 2011 Clean Energy Awards.

These awards recognised the achievements and successes of each nominee, and in particular celebrated the efforts of the following winners:

• Immediate Past President of the International Solar Energy Society, Monica Oliphant, for Most Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
• Queensland’s Metricon Stadium solar ‘halo’ roof, for Most Outstanding Large-Scale Clean Energy Project
• Energy Efficiency Council Chief Executive Rob Murray-Leach, for Young Industry Leader
• AquaGen’s SurgeDrive Demonstration Trial at Lorne Pier in Victoria, for Most Outstanding Small-Scale Clean Energy Project
• BuildingIQ and the CSIRO’s adaptive supervisory control system, for Most Outstanding Clean Energy Technology Innovation
• The striking image of the Starfish Hill Wind Farm in South Australia, for EcoGeneration Magazine Clean Energy Photo of the Year.