Aberdeen is the Energy Capital of Europe – the one place where the upcoming maritime renewables community can rub shoulders with, and spark off, the incredible upstream offshore oil&gas industry resource resident in and around the city.
Let us be clear, Aberdeen is vital to the success of the maritime renewables community both in the UK and globally because of the incredible offshore hydrocarbons network that has matured over a period of some 40 years since the dawn of North Sea oil.
Energy has been hammering out this message for almost 10 years and the massive progress of All-Energy since its launch in 2000 tells us that we were right to be persistent. By the same token, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, in which the editor must declare an interest, has also gathered strength and has a powerful sense of purpose.
All-Energy’s roots are partly anchored in the Offshore Europe oil show because that is the heritage of the Stott family and Judith Patten, who have worked like dogs to make this event a success. And, like Offshore Europe, it has a powerful, multi-stream programme with input from a broad swath of industry bodies, Government, and so forth.
And, like Offshore Europe, the conference is free to attend for all with a business/professional interest in renewable energy. This is not the case with so many other renewables shows, not least those run by the associations.
Rather than waffle about who is showing what, this preview focuses on who is saying what. And the speakers are an intriguing, eclectic mix that has been carefully chosen.
Take the opening Vision to Action plenary. Among those to be chaired by Jason Ormiston, outgoing CEO of Scottish Renewables, are UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband; Jim Mather, Scottish Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, and Moon Sang Kwon, president, Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST).
But why someone from Korea? Anyone familiar with the offshore oil industry is likely to be familiar with the powerful grip the Koreans have in offshore fabrication and tanker construction; one day, they will do the same in maritime renewables.
As for Government initiatives, it really will be worth turning up for Tom Howes, of the European Commission; Duarte Figueira, of DECC, and Jamie Hume, who is deputy director for renewable energy at the Scottish Government.
As for the Vision to Action Scottish industry response, the objective is that the Industrial & Power Association showcases some fast-moving, innovative case studies and exciting initiatives happening in Scottish industry. In the chair as ringmaster will be David Anderson, the IPA’s CEO.
Each of the main subsets of renewables/sustainable energy gets more than just an airing – three sessions for wave and tidal alone; two for carbon capture, which has become all the more relevant given the post-2009 pronouncements by Miliband on coal-fired power stations; sustainable transport – three sessions; grid and networks – three sessions; offshore wind – at least three sessions; sustainable buildings; money; the Crown Estate; aviation and renewables; Europe, and so much else. Oh, and sessions on the hydrogen economy and two sessions especially for the farming community.
This is most definitely not a lip-service conference where one is relieved of several hundred quid for the privilege.
Like Offshore Europe and other major offshore oil&gas events, there is a strong international feel to All-Energy. There has been from the very first show, when there were even delegates from Canada and China present.
The show’s global stature has kept on growing and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group/Aberdeen City, UKTI and Scottish Development International have each played a large part in making sure that overseas delegations are properly received.
According to the show’s organisers, All-Energy ’08 was record-breaker, with 4,700 participants from 61 countries; more than 380 exhibiting companies from a dozen countries, and 220-plus speakers taking part in the packed conference. They say the scene is set for similar success later this month.
Paul Stott, MD of organiser Media Generation Events, said: “As the countdown to 2020 moves along apace, we know how valuable all the industry finds All-Energy as it evolves to suit their needs and to bring them together.”
And the hope is that Aberdeen will evolve with it and wholeheartedly grasp the opportunity that renewables present. The prize is enormous, but there must be comprehensive engagement, and All-Energy is a superb tool in that regard.
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