The All Energy Australia Expo brought together industry leaders and innovators to explore the latest in renewable energy, electrification and sustainable solutions, highlighting how Australia’s energy sector is shaping the future. Casey McGuire tells more.

All Energy Australia 2025, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, marked a record-breaking edition of the country’s premier clean energy expo. Organised by RX Global in partnership with the Clean Energy Council, the two-day event attracted over 15,000 attendees, more than 450 exhibitors and over 500 industry speakers, reflecting the growing momentum of Australia’s energy transition.

From cutting-edge solar technologies to electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and grid resilience solutions, the expo provided a comprehensive showcase of innovations shaping the nation’s clean energy future.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore a dynamic exhibition floor, attend expert-led presentations and engage in hands-on demonstrations of emerging technologies. Keynote sessions and panel discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities facing renewable energy adoption, offering insights into everything from large-scale solar projects to localised energy solutions and sustainable business practices.

Beyond technology and policy, All Energy Australia 2025 also emphasised networking and knowledge-sharing, connecting tradies, engineers, project managers, investors and policymakers.

EV charging goes both ways

As of 2025, there are 1,272 high-power public charging locations in Australia, representing a 20% increase from 2024. The total number of high-power public plugs has reached 4,192, up 22% from last year.

Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) senior energy advisor Michael Shaughnessy described how the EVC has provided the government with a policy recommendation for a $3,000 rebate towards EVs that support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality for at least three years.

Between 2010 and 2019, EV sales doubled every year until 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the industry experience constant setbacks due to supply constraints and general uncertainty regarding what investments to make. Then came 2021, which saw an increase in uptake on the back of low interest rates and good EV supportive policies.

There was another dip in 2022, but the industry is growing again in 2025, as seen in the 2010s, on the back of cheap vehicles imported from overseas.

“To meet the EVC target of 1,000,000 EVs on the road by 2027, we need to see 200,000 vehicles sold next year and 360,00 the following year. It’s no mean feat, but some policies are coming that will help in that pursuit,” Michael said.

V2G and vehicle-to-home (V2H) systems offer multiple benefits. They allow vehicle assets to generate revenue through energy arbitrage, help drive down electricity prices by reducing thermal generation and increasing network utilisation and enhance energy security by supporting the grid

They can provide blackout protection, reduce reliance on foreign oil, improve resource efficiency by maximising the use of vehicle batteries and enable fossil fuel generation to exit the electricity market on schedule.

The EVC has future plans for a website so users can work out the compatibility with EVs and bidirectional chargers. Currently, only some bidirectional chargers work with some EVs, so Michael recommended keeping an eye out on the bidirectional EVS manufacturers’ websites for any updates.

For the technology to scale, Michael said that the adoption of an interoperability standard may need to come into play. ISO 15118-20 specifies a standardised communication protocol so that all bidirectional EVSE can work with all V2G vehicles, which Michael expects to be adopted in Australia soon.

“This is important for second-hand car buyers who will want confidence that the car they are buying will work with whatever bidirectional charger they have on the wall. That will keep resale value as high as it should be for EVs,” he said.

Another consideration is cybersecurity, as connecting EVs to EVSE with an internet connection creates new threat surfaces. Packers or malevolent actors could potentially interfere and compromise payment details or even affect network security by turning all the chargers on or off at once.

“ISO 15118-20 addresses this as well with full end-to-end encryption and certification exchange, so that could address the issue if that is what we want for the Australian industry,” Michael said.

“I think we absolutely need it to void resale value and give consumers the confidence they want.”

Industry stakeholders should start discussing the switch to EVs with their customers. EVs paired with solar are particularly complementary, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality can provide backup power. Businesses should also discuss tariffs, particularly two-way tariffs and begin promoting EV chargers, highlighting V2H and V2G options as additional features.

Next steps in EV charging

EV uptake is accelerating across Australia, but the charging landscape is still lacking. Industry leaders including Withywindle Consulting’s David Anstee, Chargefox’s Robert Asselman, Orkestra’s Chris Cooper, Vehicle Charging Solutions Australia’s Ross De Rango and hosted by the EVC’s Alina Dini, unpacked the realities of building a reliable, accessible and future-proof charging network.

From grid capacity and smart infrastructure to user expectations and policy pressures, the discussion explores the challenges shaping today’s rollout and the opportunities that will define tomorrow’s EV experience.

Ross is pushing for EV chargers to be installed curb-side for drivers who must park on the street. With a lot of start-ups focusing on solving EV charging at apartment complexes, he wanted a challenge and identified that one fourth of Australians do not have access to parking in a garage or a driveway.

He has received support from the Merri-bek Council in Victoria to install 20 EV curb-side chargers in 2025 under the trial, with hopes to expand out to other city councils.

Focusing on New South Wales, David found a study that identified factors driving usage were led by residential density, quickly followed by local EV ownership, POIs within 300m, visibility, then retail adjacency, parking availability, charger speed and lastly transit stops.

Looking nationally, Chris highlighted that the usage and demand of chargers is far greater than what meets the eye. He also noted the importance of understanding how the amount of money can be made from the chargers.

A trial was conducted in South Australia, which found that users should charge at a particular time of day for cheaper charging because the wholesale rate is lower. Robert also discovered that if prices are radically changed from hour to hour, consumer confidence takes a hit.

“What critical infrastructure provision for EV charging looks like in remote Western Australia needs entirely different policies and framework for commercial models than a charger in inner suburban Melbourne,” Robert outlined.

Ross agreed with Robert, stating that it is impossible to compare metropolitan and regional areas across the country because they are distinctively different areas.

“If you were running DC charging around the coast of Western Australia and trying to make it work, I don’t think it would ever pencil because the volume of EVs… and maintaining them are forever going to be a challenge,” Ross added.

Obviously, the solar and battery industry has benefited massively from constant subsidies through the Labor and Liberal Governments that have provided the foundation to create a vibrant industry. There’s a significant difference in the demand versus supply for charging infrastructure, so something along those lines is what is needed.

“It’s the perception of the availability of EV charging, not the actual availability. So, if you drive a petrol car, you’ve lived your whole life looking for a petrol station and the way it’s identified is with big signs, possibly connected to a fast-food chain, but it’s a big thing to look for,” Robert said

A petrol station is easily identifiable, whereas finding EV chargers is a bigger task as they are significantly smaller. But something that Robert praised was the recent inclusion of EV chargers at several petrol stations, making it accessible to everyone with a vehicle.

Unlocking rooftops with PV thermal for Australian solar installers

PV thermal technology (PVT) may be well established in parts of Europe, but in Australia it remains an emerging opportunity for installers, businesses and policymakers.

PVT combines traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels with a thermal component that captures heat from the sun. Unlike standard PV panels, which convert sunlight solely into electricity, PVT panels simultaneously generate electricity and usable thermal energy, typically in the form of hot water or air. This dual-output approach allows home owners or businesses to maximise the energy harvested from a single installation, effectively increasing the overall efficiency of their solar system.

The main difference between PVT and conventional solar setups lies in how energy is utilised. Standard PV panels only convert sunlight into electricity and any heat generated is essentially wasted, often reducing the panel’s efficiency as temperatures rise. PVT systems, on the other hand, actively capture this heat, either for domestic hot water, space heating or industrial processes, while still producing electricity. This integrated approach not only makes the system more energy-efficient but also provides a more versatile solution for households and businesses seeking to reduce both electricity and heating costs.

As the global research project Task 73 examines how to accelerate PV thermal uptake over the next three years, industry leaders say the timing is right for Australia to take the technology seriously, with a focus on increasing global uptake and deployment of PV thermal systems.

Coolsheet PVT chief executive Doug Smith said the project brings together international learnings that Australia can now apply. He is also actively involved in the IEA SHC Task 73 on PVT Heating Systems, contributing to efforts in awareness-building and policy advocacy.

“Task 73 is looking at how we can increase uptake and deployment globally. Europe has been doing this well for ten or 15 years already, and we’re really nowhere in Australia with PV thermal, but there’s a good reason for that. We’ve done very well with other aspects of solar thermal and hot water, so the focus just never shifted in this direction.”

The project includes four sub-tasks, with Australia contributing to the policy and awareness stream. Smith said their work is centred on building early knowledge within the local industry.

“We need to start the market education for the industry so they can then sell it to end users. Coolsheets PVT is quite focused on the commercial and industrial sector, but internationally, the technology has mostly been applied in residential settings. That still applies here, but the commercial opportunity is huge,” Doug said.

Part of that awareness-building involves understanding the installer landscape. With more than 6,000 solar installers operating across the country, Smith sees them as a critical channel for future uptake.

He said that PV thermal systems must be installed by a qualified solar installer because the thermal component attaches directly to the back of the PV module. That automatically involves them in the installation and selling process, which makes installers a key pathway to market.

Hybrid modules are also gaining traction worldwide, with European manufacturers leading development. Dedicated hybrid modules combine the PV and thermal elements in a single unit, while newer combination designs can retrofit behind existing panels.

When it comes to PV thermal systems, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Both hybrid approaches and retrofit options have their advantages, and the right choice depends on the specific project and energy goals. The hybrid approach is generally a bit more efficient, but both designs have their place. Retrofit options give you flexibility in certain markets, while full hybrid modules deliver higher thermal output, but it depends on the project.

For larger commercial loads, PV thermal often works best as a pre-heating source feeding into a heat pump. This pairing delivers reliability and efficiency, especially in industries with strict temperature requirements.

“Small systems can reach 50-70°, but when you’re dealing with food and beverage production or regulated hot water needs, you need certainty,” Doug explained.

“The PV thermal system captures the heat and the heat pump does the heavy lifting. Working in tandem is where you get the real efficiency gains.”

Ideal applications include dairies, breweries, meat processing plants, wineries, aquatics and multi-residential buildings. Payback periods vary widely depending on state incentives.

“An installer doesn’t have to do it all. It’s ideal if they stay PV installers who can also offer PV thermal. Energy modelling and quality control will be important as the industry grows, but this is a natural extension of what they already do,” Doug said.

As global markets accelerate and Australia faces rising gas costs, Doug believes PV thermal is positioned to take on a far bigger role in the nation’s transition to renewable heat.

How the plumbing industry is contributing to the electrification of homes

The plumbing industry is supporting the shift to electrified homes through ongoing regulatory reform. Updates to the Plumbing Regulations 2018 strengthen standards across key areas, including water supply, gas fitting, mechanical services and refrigerated air-conditioning. These regulations ensure modern systems are installed safely and efficiently as households transition away from traditional gas appliances.

A major area of contribution is the adoption of heat pumps for hot water delivery. Air-sourced heat pumps, available as either integrated units or split systems, are becoming a central technology in electrified homes. Their uptake is supported by clear industry requirements that ensure quality installations.

To meet these requirements, heat pump systems must be installed by licensed and qualified technicians. Proper sizing, appropriate site placement and compliance with relevant Australian standards are also essential. Each installation should undergo thorough testing and commissioning and must provide suitable access for ongoing maintenance.

Brendan said that even though a gas and hot water unit is removed, it does not mean it is the best place to install a heat pump. The heat pump will need to be moved somewhere across the property line for it to work effectively and safely.

The way that heat pumps are bedded down is integral as it is different to gas and hot water units. Big heat pumps that have a condenser on top are extremely heavy pieces of equipment, so it is important to make sure that the heat pumps are installed properly, whether that be using a solid concrete base, especially on new builds where there are no subsiders.

“Unfortunately, we hear of situations where people are installing the heat pump, they feel that it is not producing what they would like and are calling plumbers and asking them to remove the pump and replace it with a gas appliance,” Brendan said.

“The MPA wants to squash that to make sure the plumbers are installing heat pumps that are appropriate to the situation, meaning we should not have any consumer dissatisfaction with the level of installation or the performance of the appliance itself.”

Heating and ventilation are areas that a lot have not grasped or understood yet, but they will need to be identified in collaboration to get the best out of them. Brendan suggested making a new qualification or a new type of worker that can complete all the tasks across several occupations. This will result in not having three tradies rock up to an installation just to find out what is wrong with the unit or how to repair it.

The ability to become a hybrid worker is something the industry is actively seeking. When looking at the removal of an existing gas unit to install a new heat pump, they are similar and share similar avenues.