All Energy Australia is the South Hemisphere’s largest clean energy event. San Williams breaks it down as it happened.

All Energy Australia attracted a record-breaking attendance of over 11,500 industry professionals, showcasing the latest innovations, trends and policies shaping Australia’s renewable energy landscape.

Inspiring attendees to drive the energy transition forward, the conference provided a myriad of technologies and solutions. Solar power took centre stage with high-efficiency panels maximising energy output, even in low-light conditions, while solar-powered gadgets highlighted the versatility of PV energy.

Energy storage solutions were another focus, with advanced battery technologies and virtual power plants emerging as promising avenues to enhance grid flexibility and reliability. Electric vehicles (EVs) and their accompanying smart charging solutions were also heavily featured, demonstrating the booming shift towards electric mobility.

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies also gained significant attention at All Energy, with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as well as hydrogen production and storage technologies adding to the energy efficiency solutions.

The conference featured a series of insightful sessions with industry experts and policymakers making up 450 speakers across 80-plus conference sessions.

The opening day of All Energy Australia 2024 kicked off with a high-profile discussion: The path to achieving renewable energy targets by 2050. The session featured renowned economist Ross Garnaut, Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton and Victorian climate action, energy and resources minister Lily D’Ambrosio who delved into the critical challenges and opportunities facing Australia in its transition to a low-carbon future.

Another key theme was the critical issue of grid connection and system strength with AEMO manager – connection reform Erika Twining discussing the challenges of integrating increasing amounts of renewable energy into the grid and the need for innovative solutions.

Navi Technologies co-founder Wei Sue and NSW net zero commissioner and QLD clean economy expert panel chair Frank Jotzo contributed with an invaluable discussion around Australia’s position in the global race for net-zero emission, exploring the country’s competitiveness for capital and talent and highlighting the need to attract investment and skilled workers.

Social science expertise was a contributing topic to the talks with leading academics from ANU, UNSW and Monash University discussing the importance of community engagement and social acceptance in the deployment of renewable energy projects.

Equitable community access stood out among the conversations of All Energy. SEC Victoria chief executive Chris Miller delved into the role of public ownership in renewable energy and strategies for ensuring equitable access to clean energy benefits. The potential for domestic battery production was also presented with Clean Energy Investor Group policy director Marilyne Crestias discussing the opportunities in the context of the government’s $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.

All Energy visitors had the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the collective efforts underway in the clean energy sector with over 400 leading national and international suppliers, alongside more than 1,500 industry peers contributing to the diverse range of demonstrations on display.

Revolutionising solar panel installation with the K2 MultiRail

As solar panels continue to grow, traditional mounting systems face increasing challenges. The larger the panel, the greater the strain on clamp zones, potentially compromising warranty and overall system integrity. The K2 MultiRail offers a groundbreaking solution to this problem.

Offering a revolutionary approach to solar panel installation, the K2 MultiRail’s advanced design tool precisely calculates optimal screw locations, streamlining the process and ensuring secure, long-lasting installations. By allowing direct-to-tin mounting on corrugated iron trim decks and clip lock roofs, the K2 MultiRail eliminates the need for additional components and reduces installation time.

A significant advantage of the K2 MultiRail is its ability to bypass the need for purlin screws, further simplifying the installation process and minimising potential roof damage. This flexibility makes it ideal for large-scale commercial projects, where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

The compact and lightweight design of the K2 MultiRail makes it easy to transport and handle, even in remote or challenging installation sites. With a global presence and extensive experience in diverse market conditions, K2 offers a range of products tailored to specific regional needs.

Weidmüller PV Weather Station: The future of solar farm monitoring

Weidmüller’s innovative PV Weather Station marks the first iteration of a versatile and reliable solution designed to enhance solar farm performance. Developed by Weidmüller’s skilled engineers in Spain, the system provides comprehensive weather data collection and analysis.

Accurate and reliable weather data is essential for optimising the performance of solar farms. The PV Weather Station provides valuable insights into local weather conditions, enabling operators to fine-tune energy production and maintenance schedules.

The PV Weather Station’s key strength lies in its flexibility. It’s a solution that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each customer by combining Weidmüller’s R&D expertise with customer-specific assembly capabilities.

At the core of the PV Weather Station is a sophisticated u-control programmable logic controller (PLC) that serves as a central data hub for all connected sensors. This intelligent control unit ensures seamless data collection and storage, providing a comprehensive overview of weather conditions at the solar farm.

The weather station’s robust data-logging capabilities enable the continued collection and storage of essential data, even during power outages. This uninterrupted monitoring mitigates data loss and ensures consistent performance, enhancing the reliability of solar farm operations and facilitating informed decision-making.

Clipsal Wiser unifies energy management

Clipsal Wiser is a groundbreaking app integrating home automation and energy management into a single, intuitive platform.

Providing valuable insights into energy usage patterns and enabling the user to make informed decisions, Clipsal Wiser empowers homeowners by giving them control over their energy consumption and optimising efficiency to reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills.

Clipsal Wiser offers a comprehensive suite of features including home automation for lighting, temperature and security, real-time energy monitoring, solar integration, battery storage management, EV charging control and time-of-use pricing awareness.

Clipsal Wiser also offers peace of mind with security systems, allowing a home to be monitored remotely, receive alerts for potential security threats and deter intruders with smart lighting and security camera features.

Improving home comfort, the app allows the user to create personalised settings for different times of the day and, with remote control capabilities, home temperature, lighting and security settings can be adjusted from anywhere in the world.

The Clipsal Wiser app connects seamlessly with a variety of smart devices and systems. Smart meters provide real-time data on energy consumption and generation, allowing the homeowner to track usage and identify areas for refining.

Solar inverters integrate with the app to monitor solar production, enabling the utilisation of clean energy while battery storage systems can be integrated to store excess solar energy for later use, maximising self-sufficiency.

Additionally, EV chargers can be controlled and scheduled through the app, allowing for the optimisation of charging times to cut down energy costs. By considering time-of-use pricing, the user can further reduce energy expenses by scheduling charging during off-peak hours.

S-5! simplifies solar mounting with KL7 and Protea PV

S-5! has long been recognised for its innovative solar mounting solutions and is dedicated to listening to the needs of installers and continuously improving its products. By investing in research and development, S-5! can introduce innovative solutions that simplify the solar installation process and enhance system performance.

Building upon the success of the K Grip, S-5! is excited to introduce the KL7 clamp, also known as the Flip Flop 700. The KL7 simplifies the installation process by eliminating the need for inserts. The clamp is designed specifically for Stramit Speed Deck Ultra and Lysaght Klip-Lok 700 Hi-Strength roof profiles.

Utilising S-5!’s zero penetration technology, the KL7 securely attaches various equipment such as solar panels, HVAC units and walkways, without compromising the integrity of the roof. With just one piece to install and a simple bolt-tightening process, the KL7 offers a hassle-free solution for securing solar panels to metal roofs.

S-5!’s commitment to innovation also extends to Protea PV, a versatile mounting solution designed for exposed fastener roof profiles. The name ’Protea’ derives from the Greek word for ’universal’, reflecting its ability to adapt to various trapezoidal shapes and dimensions. The pre-assembled design of the Protea PV further simplifies installation. Lightweight and corrosion-resistant the bracket is easy to install and can accommodate a range of rib profiles.

Additionally, its L-foot design offers flexibility for both side-mount and bottom-mount rail configurations, ensuring secure and reliable solar panel installation. By offering a single, integrated solution, S-5! streamlines the solar installation process and improves overall efficiency.