The ninth All-Energy exhibition and conference, the UK's largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, held in Aberdeen 20-21 May, proved to be the biggest yet.

The ninth All-Energy exhibition and conference, the UK's largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, held in Aberdeen 20-21 May, proved to be the biggest yet.

In terms of space taken by 380+/- exhibitors from 14 countries (4,000m2 net in two halls) and as far as attendance went, with 5,500 attending the two day show from 60 countries, an increase of 17% over the record-breaking 2008 event, All-Energy '09 continued its unbroken "growth for every show held" record.

"The interest in exhibiting at and attending All-Energy reflects the global interest in renewable energy, with countries around the world striving to reach targets, meet climate change requirements and satisfy concerns about security of supply," explains Paul Stott, Managing Director of Media Generation Events who run the show in partnership with QMDI (Qatar MICE Development Institute) in association with Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), Scottish Renewables (SRF) and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG). Vattenfall was principal sponsor of All-Energy '09 and Aberdeen City and Shire its host sponsor.

"We were delighted that UKTI/DECC bought inward missions from 29 countries to the show and many individuals from around the globe attended. Our international attendance is now nearing 10%."

This year participants at All-Energy came from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK and USA. A country 'roll call' that certainly reflects the global interest in all elements of renewable energy.

As in past years, All-Energy '09 featured a free to attend multi-stream conference, the major exhibition and a giant networking event. "This year's conference got off to a flying start with our ministerial and governmental plenary session featuring the Lord Provost of the City of Aberdeen; a specially recorded video by Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP Secretary of State at DECC (unable to attend due to the impending birth of his first child) which was introduced by Ann McKechin MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Scotland Office; Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Scottish Government; H.E. James Wright, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK; and Dr Tidu Maini, Executive Chairman, Qatar Science & Technology Park," explains All-Energy's Project Director, Judith Patten.

"Thereafter the conference split into parallel sessions - as many as seven in some instances covering all forms of renewable energy, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

"We had industry and academic keynote addresses on the 'Vision to Action' theme; as well as government officials representing Brussels, Westminster and Holyrood updating our audience on current policy; business briefing on new markets including China and the USA; there were sessions and streams looking at skills and training; grid and networks; planning; power storage; sessions aimed at the farming community, at communities aiming to establish renewable projects, and developers eager to effectively manage community benefit; and sessions looking at Austria's expertise, at green data centres and at aviation, radar and wind. We were delighted that The Crown Estate briefed our audience on marine activity in a special 90-minute session which played to a packed hall.

"Additionally we had sessions and streams on all sources of renewable energy - wind (onshore and offshore); wave and tidal; biomass; hydro; low carbon buildings and microgeneration/onsite renewables; hydrogen and fuel cells - we also had sessions on sustainable transport (bringing in sessions on biofuels and hydrogen and fuel cells); carbon capture and storage; and, for the first time, on nuclear energy;
We saw some incredibly well attended sessions and now virtually all the presentations are on-line on our website at www.all-energy.co.uk and can be downloaded free of charge."

Looking forward to 2010
Plans are already in hand for All-Energy 2010, which will be held at AECC 19-20 May 2010. "We are delighted to be receiving so many expressions of interest in exhibiting and/or sponsoring elements of All-Energy 2010," says Paul Stott. "These are coming from past exhibitors and companies new to All-Energy. Anyone wanting to put down a marker, should phone +44 (0)1423 524545 or email info@mediageneration.co.uk. We aim to make the 2010 floorplan available from the end of June."

Further information on all aspects of All-Energy '09 and soon on All-Energy 2010 are available from www.all-energy.co.uk and from info@all-energy.co.uk as well as from Media Generation Events Ltd at 11a Princes Square, Harrogate, HG1 1ND, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1423 524545. Fax: +44 (0)1423 524544.