Every year, for two days in October, Melbourne's MCEC becomes the epicentre of the Australian renewable energy world during the All-Energy expo.  

It's a platform where the brightest minds share their vision of tomorrow, cutting-edge technology is unveiled, and industry professionals meet and mingle. The 2023 event was bigger than ever, attracting a record-breaking attendance of over 20,000 industry representatives, media professionals, and energy enthusiasts.  

This is Huon’s take on the key insights from a stellar event. 

Energizing the Storage Scene 

It’s no secret that energy storage is the next frontier in the industry, and All-Energy 2023 reinforced that. With energy independence emerging as a strategic goal for C&I business leaders, it’s clear that advancements in energy storage are set to be the game-changer that reshapes the way we power our future. 

From an illuminating presentation on C&I battery adoption by our own Max Stenning, to Sungrow’s massive 5MWh display battery, it definitely felt like the year of the battery. 

Beyond Solar Panels 

While solar panels are still the cornerstone of renewable energy, All-Energy 2023 showcased an energy landscape that is rapidly expanding. The mix of exhibitors and the themes of the many panels and presentations revealed a shift towards diversification. Innovations like Goodwe’s integrated waterproofing panels for solar car shade structures, SunMan’s ultra-light weight panels with increased output, Tigo pushing the envelope with their rapid shutdown devices and lots of impressive new software companies bringing their analytic and monitoring tools to the Australian market are a testament to the industry's adaptability and ingenuity.  

Industry Maturation 

The Federal Government's Powering Australia Plan plans to supply 82% of the country's total energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. If we’re to achieve this, a big shift in how the renewable energy industry is perceived will need to happen both within and outside of the sector. 

Renewable energy as a catalyst for a broader economic shift affecting all sectors was a recurring theme of this year’s event. It was also the topic of the annual Women in Renewables Luncheon, which was attended by Andriana Dertouzos and Lauren Hamilton from the Smart team. Chaired by Anna Hancock from the Pollination Group, the event saw a diverse group of female leaders discuss the collaborative efforts required across the entire economy to achieve the 82% target by 2030. 

While the industry has matured to some extent, the urgency of the task demands strong leadership to unite all facets of the economy and achieve the ambitious goals set for the future. 

As always, All-Energy 2023 not only showcased the latest industry trends and technologies but was also an opportunity for networking and collaboration among our industry peers. To pull off Australia’s massive energy transition, we’re going to need a cohesive, creative and resilient workforce, which is why events like this are essential to spark fresh thinking and cement relationships. 

We can’t wait to see where 2024 takes us!