Australia’s largest clean energy exhibition and conference event made its triumphant return on 26-27 October, 2022, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Held for the first time since 2019, more than 10,000 visitors passed through the doors to experience All-Energy Australia, which was co-located under the one roof with Waste Expo Australia.
Following three years on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, All-Energy Australia brought together the Australian and international clean energy industries for two days of exhibits, keynote speakers and masterclasses.
In those three years, the renewables sector has changed immensely, with innovation, policy and technological advancements evolving rapidly as Australia and the world embraces its clean energy future. This was reflected in the event’s attendance, with more cleantech exhibitors and attendees than ever before.
Around 300 exhibitors packed the vast expo floor, and more than 200 speakers participated in panel discussions and presentations.
Not only did the return of All-Energy Australia deliver a showcase of the latest clean energy solutions, it gave the industry a chance to reunite at the one site to network and share ideas.
The event commenced with an opening presentation from Victorian Minister for Energy, Minister for Environment and Climate Action, and Minister for Solar Homes, Lily D’Ambrosio. In her address, Minister D’Ambrosio acknowledged the impact of climate change on current weather events in Australia.
“Climate change is having an impact,” she said. “The earth is telling us it is under great stress. [Our emissions targets] are ambitious, but they are do-able.”
Other notable speakers included Robby Clark, portfolio director, All-Energy Australia; Kane Thornton, chief executive, Clean Energy Council; Darren Miller, CEO, Australian Renewable Energy Agency; Luke Menzel, CEO, Energy Efficiency Council; Fiona Gray, CEO, Renew; NSW Treasurer Matt Kean; Anthea Harris, CEO, Energy Security Board; and Morten Helveg Petersen, Member European Parliament.
Among the packed schedule of information sessions, there were presentations on the pathway to achieving net zero; government policy; First Nations energy; the transition to renewables; hydrogen; batteries; electric vehicles; wind; community energy storage; agriculture and energy; industrial decarbonisation; biogas; and renewable energy zones.
Collaboration was one of the overarching themes of All-Energy Australia, with attendees urged to recognise the need for the whole industry to work together to achieve climate-action goals. With thousands of conversations happening across the expo floor, the event provided the platform for relationships to be formed, questions to be asked and problems to be solved.
During the keynote presentations and panel sessions, the theme of collaboration was frequently emphasised, including the push for greater unison between states; collaboration with metropolitan, regional, Indigenous and farming communities; and collaboration between investors, suppliers and energy providers.
Another continual theme was opportunity, with Australia well placed to be a global leader in the clean energy sector thanks to our resources, people and cleantech innovations. The call was put out for the nation’s smartest minds to come together to harness skills and attributes that will help achieve mandated emissions targets and fast-track a cleaner, greener future.
As a media partner of All-Energy Australia, EcoGeneration had a booth at the event. Publisher Ian Brooks and editor Gavin Dennett enjoyed being onsite, meeting and talking with readers and contributors, and hearing their perspectives about the evolving clean energy sector.
Waste Expo Australia was also a roaring success, with exhibitors and more than 90 speakers providing insight into the nation’s waste and recycling sector.
Thousands of waste and resource recovery professionals explored the initiatives and frameworks proposed for tackling organic waste, improving infrastructure, and discovering ways to improve consumer and business behavioural patterns in regards to consumption and recycling.
Extended panels and speaker sessions delving into topics such as the future of energy from waste; community composting; and commercial and industrial waste management.
All-Energy Australia will return to Melbourne on 25-26 October, 2023.