This October, Melbourne will play host to All-Energy Australia, the nation’s most comprehensive clean and renewable energy exhibition and conference. In 2018, the event was attended by over 8500 renewable energy industry experts and professionals, from throughout the country and overseas, making it the largest attendance on record.
All-Energy Australia is a free-to-attend conference and exhibition that opens up a world of opportunities for the clean energy sector, held in partnership with the Clean Energy Council.
Attendees will have exclusive access to the latest technology, information and trends relevant to professionals working with or investing in the renewables sector, from over 200 expert speakers across seven streams.
In 2019, All-Energy Australia will be focused on the theme “Advancing Australia’s transition to a clean energy future”. This theme will extend across the conference and expanded exhibition floor, which will feature leading energy industry suppliers showcasing their latest technology, products and services. This theme will focus on driving the sector’s continued growth and working together to realise the vision of a nation powered by clean energy.
Expert industry insight
Within this year’s conference program, two significant topics of discussion will be microgrids and the need for flexible markets for distributed energy resources (DERs).
The need for flexibility is pivotal in the ongoing transition to grids operating with a high density of renewable and decentralised generation. Consumer-owned smart devices and DERs, both large and small, play an increasingly significant role in energy markets. As this happens, the opportunity for the provision of “flexibility services”, which enable DERs to provide wider grid support to third parties, is emerging.
By establishing these DER flexibility markets, distributed system operators (DSOs) are able to source services from suppliers within the network in a transparent, fair and secure manner while managing their normal business operations. In fact, this model is already being established in countries such as the United Kingdom.
Presenting at All-Energy Australia this year will be Phil Blythe, CEO of GreenSync, who will discuss the pathway to realise these opportunities in his session titled “Market mechanisms: a global shift to DER flexibility markets”.
“While our energy systems have been traditionally centrally operated and managed by our generators and networks, there is now a need for a new market architecture that allows its newest investors – households and businesses – to participate and be rewarded for contributing to a range of grid services at times of need by the network,” said Dr Blythe.
“There will not be a single market for flexibility, but rather multiple markets for specific services provided by the customer’s energy assets. Irrespective of the country or jurisdiction, grid services such as emergency capacity, ancillary support and voltage management are likely to be adapted and will evolve to accommodate what DERs can do.
“As this evolution continues, the opportunity and need for a centralised digital exchange becomes greater, whereby individual markets for things like asset deferral tenders, wholesale energy, ancillary services and network capacity products can all be hosted.”
Microgrids will also have a dedicated session in this year’s conference program, with Acciona Energy and Deakin Energy sharing their insights to developing, operating and implementing a successful microgrid. As a global company with a business model based on sustainability, Acciona aims to respond to society’s needs through the provision of renewable energy, infrastructure, water and services.
Acciona has recently developed a software tool for the analysis, design and optimal dimensioning of microgrids, and a modular and flexible microgrid management system, which is independently manufactured, and able to maximise renewable generation and ROI while guaranteeing reliable supplies.
Deakin Energy meanwhile is working with industry, communities, government and leading research providers to find solutions for developing smarter and sustainable energy systems for capacity and capability within Deakin University.
In a joint presentation session, Belen Linares Corell (R&D and Innovation Director at Acciona Energy) and Dr Adrian Panow (Director at Deakin Energy) will cover the development of microgrids, how to maximise their benefits and what is required from as safe and functional microgrid.
“Major investment globally is being directed towards DERs, so we must understand the impact and opportunities of DERs on existing grids,” said Dr Adrian Panow, Director, Deakin Energy.
“Moving to a DER environment does not reduce the need for safety, reliability, affordability and social equity. At Deakin, we are demonstrating, through the construction of our own 7.25MW solar and storage microgrid, that delivery and retention of research, cost and sustainability benefits can all be achieved together.”
As the industry’s largest all-encompassing clean energy event, this year’s All-Energy Australia exhibition will feature over 250 industry-leading companies, from market leaders to start-ups, showcasing innovations and emerging technologies and offering expert advice.
Companies that have confirmed their presence at All-Energy Australia 2019 include ABB, NEXTracker, Fronius, Growatt, LONGi Solar, Array Technologies, Risen Energy, One Stop Warehouse, Powerark Solar, Soltec, Samsung SDI, Senec, SMA Australia, BayWa r.e, Applied Nano Technologies and Flex.
Visitors to All-Energy Australia will also have the benefit of gaining access to the co-located Energy Efficiency Expo and Waste Expo Australia.
The inaugural Energy Efficiency Expo is a new free-to-attend industry event, launched to help organisations solve their energy productivity and affordability challenges, while Waste Expo Australia is targeted at industry professionals within the waste management and wastewater treatment industries.
Together, these three industry events will offer visitors Australia’s most comprehensive opportunity to learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable solutions.
All-Energy Australia will be held from 23-24 October 2019 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Visitor registration for All-Energy Australia is available at: www.all-energy.com.au
